Hello folks. I am here again asking for your expertise. I have just become a boat owner and want to make some repairs on my used boat I bought. Mechanically it runs pretty good. I need to replace the carpet and in the rear of the craft there are some flip seats that appear to be made from 3/4 plywood that can use some wood replacement as it looks a little bit worn if not close to rotting.

Where in Dallas, TX can you purchase "marine grade" plywood or is there an acceptable alterative (pressure treated, etc). I appreciate your help.

If you have any recommendations for someone to install carpeting that would be greatly appreciated as well.

Call one of the lumber yards. They should stock it but I don't think that you'll need marine grade. I bought plywood from a local lumber yard and two different yards told me that unless it was going to be a part that was exposed to more water and needed to bend, marine grade wasn't necessary. More important on what it is made from.

I just installed my own carpet, well partially finished and I wouldn't wish that nightmare on anyone. There are a couple of guys posting in the trade section that do carpet. It seemed high to me but after seeing how much work is involved I now think it is worth it.

Are you thinking of replacing wood inside upholstered seats? If so, that's probably not worth the effort as seats that old should probably be replaced for many wear/weather reasons. If they are the type I'm guessing, places like Academy and Bass Pro Shops sell generic seats that will probably fit the application.

As for the flooring, expect it to stay wet a lot if covered with carpet. That means it will rot in time. This is why boat builders cover/seal wood flooring with fiberglass resin when they build a boat. THEN they install carpet. If you don't do it right, you'll be doing it again sooner....

I just had the wood my seat for my Center Consoel the seats were rotten to the point the wool was crumbling and you could not sit on the seats. it was a lot cheaper then having the seats totally redone it cost me 75 for the 2 sort age seats and the 2 live well seats. the material was still good and so was the Foam which is the expensive part of having seats done The guy did not use marian grade said it was not nesiceary unless it was getting exposed to water on a regular biases the guy who did mine live on belton lake hes has been doing boat upallstry 20ryrs or so and does extent work if you live down my killen i should set you up with him

You don't need marine grade plywood for the seats at all. Marine plywood uses more water resistant glue to hold the plys together. For something non-structural like a boat seat, you will be fine with regular plywood. Just give it 2 or 3 generous coats of urethane to seal up the wood.

Thanks for the suggestions. I am going to probably pay someone to do the carpet and do the repair on the seat myself. It is a folding seat that flips on the back of the boat. I don't think there is much to it but a few hinged pieces that are covered with carpet and have a couple of cushions on them.

I suggest doing the carpet yourself and using the saved money towards electronics for your boat. Carpet is pretty forgiving to work with, so its not too hard to get nice looking results. You will learn a lot about your boat when you do all the work.

Having a nice fishfinder with a huge screen really does greatly improve your ability to find fish once you learn how to use it.

I purchased a Lowrance Elite 5 and installed it myself. The tricky part was getting the wiring from the transducer to the console. I used the existing wiring to pull a nylon cord through then tied it to the end of the new wire and pulled it back. It got hung up in a couple of placed but eventually I was able to tug it through. I am able to see plenty of fish. Now the trick is getting them to jump into my boat.

Doing the carpet isn't all that bad getting the old crud cleaned is the hard part. Contact cement from 3m or DAP weldwood makes can make things quicker ,no clamping and what not but you have to get it right the first time it bonds instantly. If there's a difficult area a regular outdoor carpet glue may be easier.

I tried the outdoor carpeting glue on mine. It worked good on 95% of the boat but when it gets wet, I have 2 sections that will come loose and slide. If you catch them and straighten them back out they reattach when the boat dries but do it again next time it rains. The worst area is at the steering wheel/ seat. Going to get some contact cement for those areas but I wish that I had bought something better.

Good point some outdoor glues are "water resistant" and are no good has to be water proof like W.W Henry 263.