New carpet install on 99 Air or 99 Sport

[Chexi]

Has anyone tackled re-carpeting their Sport or Air direct drive boat? Is it particularly difficult? What about the under the bow seat area? What about the gunnels?

I thought I saw a picture somewhere a while back when looking for something else that showed the entire carpet out in 1 piece (except the gunnels and the piece just behind the motor with the look-through for the prop shaft drip mechanism). I think they used that big piece as a template to cut the new carpet from, I just can't find the thread anywhere now.

The materials to do the job seem pretty inexpensive. I am re-doing my entire vinyl upholstery, so it seems like a good time to spend about another $200 and do the carpet. But I don't want to rip out the old only to find that it requires a huge degree of skill to install the new. As such, any feedback on past experience in doing this would be appreciated. Also, any do's, don'ts... advice, hard lessons learned, etc., would be greatly appreciated.

[nautiquejimmy]

RE: New carpet install on 99 Air or 99 Sport

definately use the old carpet as a template, only give yourself an extra six or so inches more than the actual lines. if your boat has the black trim around the carpet, the carpet just tucks into it. try not to pull the trim up. you might not have as much luck under the bow. I would try to make a nice cut up under the observer seat as well as behind the kickpanel. I cant recall if your boat has a section on the floor that is separate from the rest of the walkthrough, if so there are a few screws that you have to locate in the carpet to release that piece of floor. good luck

[Miljack]

Chexi,
I think you'll need to pull the gas tank to do it. I'm kicking myself now because when I had the tank out I should have done it, but I couldn't take the time for another project that year! I did ballast system, Perfect Pass and a few other maintenance items. You could probably get away with loosening the mounts and pulling the old carpet out, then push it back under the tank.
A friend did his older 2001 (model) direct drive, but they had the entire interior out of it, and it took a crew of four most of a day to do it.

good luck