The 5 Best Boat Carpets – Pros, Cons & Reviews

We all know just how important safety is when it comes to boating. A lot of people have safety devices in place for the event of rough waters, but some of the hazards may be on the boat itself. The best boat carpets can provide an anti-slip surface and mean that bumps, bruises, and other injuries are less likely even if the boat floor gets wet.

For a simple overview of what a boat carpet is, what job it does, and why you should definitely consider installing one on your boat, check out the simple infographic below.

Buyer’s Guide: A Simple Guide to Boat Carpets

Before delving into some of the top models of carpet available on the market for your boat, let’s go through the different types of boat carpets, and the purpose they play on your boat.

You might also be interested in: How to Buff a Boat | A Detailed Guide by a Boating Expert

What is a Boat Carpet?

A boat carpet is exactly what you probably assume it to be. It is a simple covering for the floor or surface of a boat.

Unlike the carpets in our home which are thought of as primarily decorative, they have a big part to play; helping us to avoid slips.

On top of this, the boat carpet may absorb some of the water, and though the robust design can allow it to do so without getting damaged, if you think a lot of water is going to get into your vessel, you should make sure you buy a carpet that can handle it.

Furthermore, there’s no reason why the boat carpets can’t look great, too. A lot of boat owners take great pride in the look of their vessels, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. Plenty of the designs are made to look as good as possible and add to the luxury, whether you want a nice soft boat carpet or a robust custom boat carpet that can help combat conditions.

Types of Boat Carpets

When you read through the top boat carpet reviews you will quickly notice that they come in quite a few different styles, which is one of the reasons why we’ve created this guide to help you to understand the exact varieties and how to use them on your boat flooring.

• Cut Pile boat carpets are created using looped fibers, which connect to a backing that sits snugly on the flooring of your boat. Often, it has quite long fibers which make it comfortable underfoot.
• Loop Pile boat carpets are usually more tightly-woven and close to the bottom of the floor. These are very durable types of boat carpets which means they can do a very good job of withstanding plenty of people walking on deck.

Fitting Boat Carpets

Boat carpets are designed with their own different ways of fitting to the bottom of your boat. Common designs include:

• Glue-down carpets: This means that you need to use specific glue, taking outdoor carpet, and then stick it down on the bottom of the boat. It means a lot of long-term security and a carpet that will not likely move anytime soon, but it can be difficult to get right. Be warned that the carpets may not be advertised as “glue-down” as this is usually assumed to be the case.
• Snap-in carpets: These are a slightly more flexible option as they are not permanent. This means that there is no glue to keep them in place permanently, and when you want to replace them you can unclip them and do so with relative ease.

Fitting the carpet itself can be a difficult task, depending on the shape and size of the boat. For instance, a pontoon boat carpet may need to fit precisely within all the different shapes and angles of your boat.

Pros and Cons of a Boat Carpet

Still unsure? We explore the pros and cons of a boat carpet to help you to make your decision.

Pros

• They often greatly improve the look of your boat
• Can help by reducing slips and falls on the boat
• Adds comfort, as they may be much comfier to walk on
• Can protect the surface of the boat, too

Cons

• May absorb water and poorly-designed carpets can be a haven for mildew and mold
• Another expense for your boating hobby
• The glue on the bottom may not protect the boat, and can even damage the flooring

Also read: A Guide to Winterizing Your Pontoon Boat

Five of the Best Boat Carpets

With this in mind explore some of the best options for those in the market for a carpet for their boat.

This is a great pontoon boat carpet that comes with a marine-grade design and 32-ounce thickness. As well as receiving the carpet itself, you get a pretty detailed installation manual, a knife to help you to cut the carpet to size, and even some extra blades if they break.

If you are thinking about aesthetics more than anything this is a good option due to the fact that it comes in so many different designs, as well as sizes. The flexibility means you can utilize this on virtually any boat.

Pros

• Flexible, with lots of different designs
• Comes with a knife you need to cut it to shape

Cons

• Not as water-resistant as some other options
• Requires gluing down

This option from SturdyShape is pretty cheap compared to some of the other boat flooring options. 

It doesn’t have any design choices so you need to just go with the simple black, but this is versatile and usually goes pretty well in the majority of pontoons, fishing boats, and more. 

With UV-resistant material and a contractor marine-grade rating, it is going to last you a very long time as long as you take good care of it. On top of this, it makes it pretty simple to mark out and put in place, as it comes with a wrap template and an adhesive spreader.

This comes in quite thin rolls which can mean more work for bigger boats, but there’s still a lot to like about this affordable carpet.

Pros

• UV resistant and tear-proof
• Comes with wrap template and adhesive spreader

Cons

• Needs quite a lot of cutting to size and shape
• Not as thick as the Bascar option above

If you don’t want the hassle or responsibility of having to learn how to glue your boat flooring or boat carpet down then this could be the ideal option for you. While not one of the traditional cut pile or loop pile designs mentioned above, this has EVA foam which is very dense and has a lot of benefits.

It is resistant to corrosion, moisture, and has some heat insulation too. It’s relatively thin at 5mm, but it is a very good option for avoiding skidding. It also supports vacuum cleaning so you can very easily clean it up when required.

The adhesive backing means you simply need to peel it back and stick it on, no need to worry about spreading glue anywhere.

Pros

• No need for glue
• A good option for corrosion and moisture-resistance
• Helps to avoid skidding

Cons

• Not as thick as some other options
• More expensive than carpets you glue down manually

If you have a large space to cover then something like this option from Carpet by the Foote can be ideal, as it has a 20-inch width allowing you to cover much bigger spaces and not have to make so many cuts and joins on your boat.

It’s thick and durable with a 23 Oz rating and is undeniably built to last, though you don’t get a lot of design options that you can decorate the boat with. It’s very much no-frills, but it can help you to avoid slips and it is ideal for bigger boats.

Pros

• Easy to cover larger areas
• Responsibly made out of recycled fibers 

Cons

• Doesn’t come with the tools to install
• May be difficult to fit into smaller areas 

Those looking for a luxury or custom marine carpet might consider this from Happybuy. The excellent carpet can be used in a variety of different settings, including the boat. It is built for outdoor carpet uses as it has a waterproof back and also prevents floor-scratching making it a great option for your boat.

The ribbed texture has been designed to prevent slipping and sliding in spite of the fact that this is a thin, low-pile boat carpet. Available in a number of colors, we’ve used the gray one here as an example but you can suit the look of your boat.

Pros

• Provides excellent friction to prevent slips
• Available in many colors
• Prevents corrosion with a waterproof backing

Cons

• Doesn’t come with any tools for installation
• Expensive compared to the other options

Care and Maintenance

There are certain things you can do to take good care of your boat carpet and ensure that it will last longer:

• Use brush tools to try and divert water out of the carpet if it should be absorbed
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to vacuuming and cleaning, some will allow you to use a vacuum or handheld vacuum
• Use a stain remover to try to remove any stains instantly when they happen
• Try to give your boat carpets the best chance to dry out in the sun if they have gotten wet, especially assuming you buy a UV-protected model

Also read: Pontoon Boat Covers: Which is Best for You?

Conclusion

Installing a boat carpet is the sort of job you don’t want to have to do too often. If you can get it right the first time around then you can ensure you have a safe and protective carpet for a number of years to come.

For this reason, it is vital that you think carefully about the type of carpet you want and invest in something that is going to give you protection for the long term, Our selection of five marine carpets can help to ensure you have slip protection and comfort as well as a little touch of style.