Dumbie Q - Vinyl vs Carpet & Wood vs Aluminum

[Kalop]

Being newbie to these pontoon boats... I've decided 1) I want vinyl if I can find it and 2) aluminum instead of wood flooring if I can get it.

My numbie question is this, when looking at used pontoon boats...

How can you tell if its Aluminum decking vs Wood ?

How can you tell if its Vinyl vs some other flooring?

I've seen craigslist ads of ALL of the above, but looking at the pictures they often all look the same (except when they show underside picture and you see WOOD ).

Thanks
-Kalop

[Bamaman]

How can you tell if its Aluminum decking vs Wood ? UP UNDER THE DECK, YOU'LL SEE PLYWOOD IF IT'S WOOD. YOU'LL SEE ALUMINUM PLANKS IF IT'S ALUMINUM. Historically, pontoon boats were decked out of marine grade plywood. A few years ago, some manufacturers switched to aluminum, but most have switched back to plywood. Marine plywood decking produces a boat that's structurally stronger than aluminum decked, and a more affordable price. About the only aluminum decks being used are some Sun Tracker's. Marine plywood will last well over 25 years if kept dry when the boat's not being used.

A vinyl floor won't stick to aluminum decking.

How can you tell if its Vinyl vs some other flooring? Manufacturers are using marine grade carpet, and they are using a thick marine vinyl. That's about it on factory made boats. Many on this site like their vinyl, but it's much more expensive than marine carpeting. Vinyl's maybe a little hotter than some carpets, but marine vinyl is really tough stuff. It's a toss up whether carpet or vinyl is preferred. Fishermen seem to like the vinyl for easy cleanup.

[Kalop]

How can you tell if its Aluminum decking vs Wood ? UP UNDER THE DECK, YOU'LL SEE PLYWOOD IF IT'S WOOD. YOU'LL SEE ALUMINUM PLANKS IF IT'S ALUMINUM. Historically, pontoon boats were decked out of marine grade plywood. A few years ago, some manufacturers switched to aluminum, but most have switched back to plywood. Marine plywood decking produces a boat that's structurally stronger than aluminum decked, and a more affordable price. About the only aluminum decks being used are some Sun Tracker's. Marine plywood will last well over 25 years if kept dry when the boat's not being used.

A vinyl floor won't stick to aluminum decking.

How can you tell if its Vinyl vs some other flooring? Manufacturers are using marine grade carpet, and they are using a thick marine vinyl. That's about it on factory made boats. Many on this site like their vinyl, but it's much more expensive than marine carpeting. Vinyl's maybe a little hotter than some carpets, but marine vinyl is really tough stuff. It's a toss up whether carpet or vinyl is preferred. Fishermen seem to like the vinyl for easy cleanup.

Ok, that makes sense. I don't want to be looking out there in person and showing my idiocracy.

I'm surprised Sun Tracker is only aluminum decking, and I didn't think about structure strength.... so maybe I'll get wood over aluminum .. I guess its not as big of a deal in pontoons, I'm just VERY VERY leery of getting ANY boat w/WOOD ... I've seen too many horror stories of the people having to redo transoms or worst their stringers after buying a V hull boat. I know that's different than pontoon boat... but I just don't like wood and water. LOL

On the vinyl... what does it physically look like ?

Does it LOOK like the carpet or does it look more like the standard fiberglass stuff you see on regular boats? I do like easy cleanup though.

[GregF]

Properly sealed wood will last 22 years even if it is used 3-4 times a week in salt water and pretty much ignored.

I have a boat to prove it.

I used MDO plywood in 1990 and it is still solid.

Vinyl vs carpet is a personal preference. I like carpet, but I don't fish. I am thinking about carpet inside the fence and vinyl on the front porch next time.

[ROLAND]

On the vinyl... what does it physically look like ?

Does it LOOK like the carpet or does it look more like the standard fiberglass stuff you see on regular boats? I do like easy cleanup though.[/quote]


Kalop... no the vinyl doesn't look like carpet... mine is more of a "sand or beige color... it has "some' texture to it... it's not slippery at all... clean up is easy, you can either power wash it or hose it down good to get it wet and then drop a little car wash detergent on it, and then scrub it with a stiff long handle broom, then rinse it off... cleans up pretty nice. Don't know how much you can tell from these pics, but they're the best one's I have that show the vinyl deck.. hope this helps.



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[SamF]

Vinyl vs carpet is a personal preference. I like carpet, but I don't fish. I am thinking about carpet inside the fence and vinyl on the front porch next time.

I like carpet too but was warned against it here in Florida because of too much potential for mildew. We don't fish either and I love the feel of the carpet but also figured the sand and salt water would end up making a mess of the carpet in the long run. Is your experience different?

[Kalop]

Thanks everyone, that is very helpful..

@ROLAND - You're pictures do help. That's kinda how this vinyl "look like" question started, because even looking at your pictures, I can't see much of a difference from the carpet pictured boats. So the descriptions and everything help me now.

I do want to still get vinyl if I can get it, but I'm not going to let it break my deal if everything else is what I want... its a bit lower on my priorities, but it would be a nice feature for ease of clean up for the occasional fishing.

Thanks !

[margaritaman]

I have seen pictures of pontoon with vinyl floors that have detachable carpet runners.

[GregF]

I have not had any real problems with the carpet in my boat. I would really worry more about sand grinding down the finish on the vinyl. I am also not sure how dragging the anchor across it or any of the other stuff we pull out of the river would do to it.

This is basically the same stuff that was all the rage for floors in kitchens in the 70s. The only thing that makes it "marine" is U/V protection.

[Bamaman]

My boat came with carpeting, however every person that's commented on this forum about their vinyl flooring were complimentary.

Vinyl flooring is a $361 option on my Bennington, and snap in carpeting is another $921.

People that have the snap in carpeting have commented they never take time to use it. They use vinyl flooring.

Note: The vinyls used in boats have a pattern stamped into them that are non-skid, and they're very heavy. That's why they're so expensive.

[badmoonrising]

This is the underside of my Party Cruiser. Sun Tracker uses what's called Duradeck (patented and ONLY on Tracker boats. It's far superior to any plywood decked boat. I also have a plywood decked v-hull boat (properly sealed with fiberglass resin, painted AND covered with vinyl). It's rotting out after 10 years. The transom was shot and had to be replaced (lasted 15 years). If it were carpeted, expect no more than 5-6 years before a plywood decked boat starts to get soft spots. I've never seen a Duradeck boat needing a rebuild. In fact, Tracker backs Duradeck with a lifetime warranty that is transferable. You can put carpet or vinyl down on Duradeck without rot issues, and the way it's constructed there is ZERO flex.



In 2010, Tracker started going back to plywood to save $$$ and you had to request and pay more for Duradeck due to aluminum prices skyrocketing.

[Kalop]

This is the underside of my Party Cruiser. Sun Tracker uses what's called Duradeck (patented and ONLY on Tracker boats. It's far superior to any plywood decked boat. I also have a plywood decked v-hull boat (properly sealed with fiberglass resin, painted AND covered with vinyl). It's rotting out after 10 years. The transom was shot and had to be replaced (lasted 15 years). If it were carpeted, expect no more than 5-6 years before a plywood decked boat starts to get soft spots. I've never seen a Duradeck boat needing a rebuild. In fact, Tracker backs Duradeck with a lifetime warranty that is transferable. Yu can put carpet or vinyl down on Duradeck without rot issues, and the way it's constructed there is ZERO flex.



In 2010, Tracker started going back to plywood to save $$$ and you had to request and pay more for Duradeck due to aluminum prices skyrocketing.

THANKS for this picture.

I really really like that decking over wood. I really like it !!! I've never been a fan of wood + boat.

My fear is that its going to be VERY hard to find one used with setup and options and price that I want. (I can't afford new.)

Sun Trackers are commonly UNDER powered though on used market, under powered for ME because we want to wakeboard and tube... hmmmm.... decision decisions.

Thanks

[GregF]

Nobody has talked about the sound deadening properties of wood and carpet. I guess with the 500 watt stereo you won't notice.

[badmoonrising]

THANKS for this picture.

I really really like that decking over wood. I really like it !!! I've never been a fan of wood + boat.

My fear is that its going to be VERY hard to find one used with setup and options and price that I want. (I can't afford new.)

Sun Trackers are commonly UNDER powered though on used market, under powered for ME because we want to wakeboard and tube... hmmmm.... decision decisions.

Thanks

The less wood in a boat = less maintenance. I bought my boat because it has room for alot of naked women. Lol. Speed wasn't my concern.

[margaritaman]

[quote="badmoonrising"
The less wood in a boat = less maintenance. I bought my boat because it has room for alot of naked women. Lol. Speed wasn't my concern. [/quote]

Some women want more wood and speed is a no no!