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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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Can Bass Boat Carpet Get Wet?
It’s a valid concern considering the environment in which bass boats operate. They are designed to withstand water exposure, harsh sun rays, and heavy foot traffic.
- Bass Boat carpets are designed for a marine environment.
- Frequent soaking without proper drying can lead to issues.
- Wet carpets may experience the growth of mold and mildew.
- Thoroughly drying the carpet after each use is crucial.
- Regular maintenance, including cleaning and drying, is essential for durability.
Can the bass boat carpet get wet? Yes! Every time you take your bass boat in the water, you will either get sprayed when speeding it, bring in water along with the fish you reel in, or climb in with wet boots.
Your bass boat sits relatively low in the water, which means it provides almost no protection from water. So, a soaked carpet situation is a recurring problem you need to deal with.
Apart from when your boat’s carpet gets wet due to regular use, if you live in an area that receives heavy rainfall all year round, chances are your boat is getting watered too often, and so is the carpet.
In this article, I have discussed your bass boat’s wet carpet situation in detail and listed some ways you can effectively deal with it. Keep reading!
Why Are Bass Boats Carpeted?
Have you ever wondered why your bass boat is carpeted? Aluminum or fiberglass make up the bass boat structure. These are smooth and lightweight materials that would make a slippery deck.
So, bass boats’ decks are lined with carpet to provide you with a comfortable and steady fishing platform.
Carpets also diminish the noise you produce with your activity on board, which can otherwise scare fish away.
Moreover, since bass boats do not have guard railings and bass fishing requires you to go in obstacle-loaded (flooded trees, large boulders, dense lily pads) water regions, any obstruction can cause a bump strong enough to throw you off the board.
So, the carpet lining prevents this from happening and makes the deck slip-free.
Why Is a Wet Boat Carpet Bad News?
After a long fishing trip, do you dock your boat and wrap it tightly with a mooring cover? If yes, you must have noticed a grayish-white or gray-green fuzz on your boat’s carpet. If yes, then you saw the unpleasant smell, too.
The fuzz you see is mildew, and the mold sits inside the carpet as it tends to dig deeper. Mold and mildew are fungi that grow within 24 to 48 hours in damp, dimly lit, warm environments, precisely what a wet carpet inside a covered boat becomes.
Also, the mold emits gases, a.k .a. microbial volatile organic compounds, during growth. These pungent gases contribute to the musty, damp smell in the boat when it’s under fungal attack.
Mold and mildew are not only malodorous but also harmful to your health. Mold spores can cause allergic reactions in some people, leading to severe respiratory diseases in others.
Furthermore, water can seep from the carpet and reach the boat’s surface below, causing damage regardless of the material used in its construction. It can corrode the aluminum or make the fiberglass surface blistered.
Is It Okay To Sun Dry Your Boat’s Carpet?
After a productive day in the water, you can always let your boat’s carpet dry in the sun, right? No way. Sun rays contain invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage the boat’s fiberglass hull, making it look discolored or faded. These rays can also shrink the color off the vinyl seat covers.
Is It Okay To Dry the Boat Carpet In the Shade?
Why not let your wet bass boat carpet dry in the shade? Not a good idea either, as this won’t save it from the fungus. Carpet is a double-layered textile. It has a nylon, polyester, or wool pile attached to a backing and takes a long time to dry, especially during winter.
How to Deal With A Wet Boat Carpet
If you had a wet ride back home in your bass boat, it’s time to give your craft some special attention.
Dry your Boat ASAP
Investing in a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is the best way to dry your boat. With this vacuum cleaner, you can pick up water from all the nooks and crannies of your bass boat and effectively dry your boat while cleaning it at the same time.
If you don’t have one, you can dry your boat’s carpet by tilting the boat slightly on the trailer and placing a stand fan close to your boat to dry the carpet faster before fungi invade it.
Ensure you have opened the drain plug, emptied all the storage compartments, and left the hatches open before drying, as water can leak inside the chambers, too, and need drying.
Clean Your Boat
If you don’t have a garage and your bass boat is outside soaking in the rain after a few days of heavy rainfall, you must thoroughly inspect, clean, and dry your boat.
Open the drain plugs to drain any collected water and pick up any debris from your boat that may have blown in with the wind. Do check the drains for any clogging.
Next up, check the batteries and wiring for damage, open all storage compartments, and empty them. Scrub the carpet with a stiff bristle brush using a soapy water solution.
Run a garden hose or rinse the entire boat with a water bucket. Then dry it with a stand fan with all the compartment lids open and the seats folded down.
How to Protect Your Boat’s Carpet?
Here are some quick tips:
Deep Cleanse
Although carpets are comforting, they can be challenging to maintain as dirt, dust particles, grease, and oil adhere to the rug, making cleaning difficult. Slime from fish or any spillage can also stain the carpet.
Since you can’t avoid making your carpet dirty, you must clean it thoroughly at least twice a year. Also, keep a few dry towels on the boat to blot a spill as much as possible.
Store It Indoors
Your bass boat’s overall protection begins with proper storage. Always store your boat in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
The best place to keep your boat is inside your garage, away from the window, and without water dripping from leaky pipes.
Putting a mooring cover on your boat is okay, but it’s better to cover it with a tarp and leave some space to let air into the ship. If you don’t own a garage, you can store your bass boat on its trailer outside with a mooring cover. Place a tarp on top of it to cover the hulls.
Ventilate Your Boat
Wrapping your boat when storing it can build up stale air inside the ship. Also, it can lead to mold growth on humid days.
To avoid this, install a passive ventilator like a cowl, clamshell, or louvered vent to allow air passage. Or invest in an active ventilator, like a solar vent that uses solar energy to operate. It has a fan with intake and exhaust blades to provide a flexible ventilation system.
How Long Does It Take for the Boat Carpet to Dry?
It is important to allow ample time for the process. Generally, the carpet begins to cure within 3-4 hours post-installation.
However, to ensure complete dryness, giving it 24 hours before proceeding with tasks such as vacuuming or reinstalling seats and rails is recommended.
To prevent any damage from foot traffic, it is advisable to let it rest for a day. If the boat is intended for water use, an additional day of drying should be incorporated into your schedule, making it 48 hours in total.
Can You Use Bleach on the Boat Carpet?
Bleach and harsh detergents can damage the carpet fibers and may affect their color.
Instead, one should opt for gentle waterway-safe cleaners, such as a mild dish soap or simple green.
These can effectively clean the carpet without causing damage.
You’ll need a bucket, a hose, and a soft brush for cleaning. Custom cleaning products can be pricey and aren’t necessary to maintain the cleanliness of your boat carpet.
Wrapping Up
Bass boats are an expensive investment and require a lot of effort in their maintenance, thanks to their carpeted decks.
Bass Boat carpets, specifically crafted for a marine environment, can get wet. However, it’s essential to understand that these carpets are not immune to the detrimental effects of continued exposure to moisture without proper care.
Prolonged wetness can lead to problems such as the growth of mold and mildew, which not only compromise the aesthetic appeal of the carpet but can also deteriorate its quality and longevity.
Therefore, it is of paramount importance to thoroughly dry the carpet after each use. This practice will significantly diminish the risk of moisture-related issues and contribute to the overall durability of the rug.
In conclusion, the question, “Can Bass Boat Carpet Get Wet?” warrants a nuanced answer. Yes, they can get wet due to their marine environment usage, but regular maintenance, including diligent cleaning and drying, is essential to prevent moisture-related damage and ensure their durability.
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