So I got a 1986 michi craft aluminum canoe 14' x38" beam. Took it out last week and it did great, didn't seem to have any leaks or seeps. It needs some cleaning to get some sprinkler water stains off the haul im working on that today. I made some diy rod holders since the aluminum thwarts and sides scratched rods up good. I'm gonna put armoflex padding on the aluminum thwart bars. My question is has anyone made a lay in removable rug with some cheap indoor outdoor carpet for a canoe? I wana do this. Does anyone else have any great diy ideas?

YES I DID.

 

And it's the single best mod I made to my Old Town Predator.

 

By using a taped together card board cut out to make a pattern of the bottom of the boat, I used it to cut out a thin (maybe 3/4 inch thick) pad originally designed as a sleeping bag pad.  It's soft, durable and doesn't mold or retain odor.   Comes in 3' x 6 or 7 ' sizes.  Used a couple.

 

Then, I used green outdoor rug, purchased off a roll from Lowes - cheap. Trimmed it to match the size / shape of the pad and Glued it with gorilla glue (contact type) to the pad.

 

Placed plywood and cement blocks onto to hold it in place and put pressure on it during the 24 hour drying process. 

 

Once done I slipped it into the bottom of the boat.  It comes out easily to clean and and to dry when needed.  

 

That was 7 years ago and I'm still using it and expect it to last for a while.

 

The benefits of this deal are Many.  It's quite, soft to kneel on, insulates you from the water and keeps the bottom of the boat comfortable.

 

A-Jay

pm sent 

 

A-Jay

Thanks so much for the great detailed replay and pm!

Thanks so much for the great detailed replay and pm!

 

You're Welcome.

 

A-Jay

A-Jay,

 That is a great idea! A nice soft deck to stand on bare footed that is removable. Awesome!

I've seen some really clever YouTube vids on how to construct your own outriggers or stabilizers using crab pot floats. They were easy to construct, cheap, and they work. Tons of ideas on YouTube.

I've been watching you tube vids today! I found some pretty good ones

I have an old 17' Coleman ABS canoe.The topside gunwales have a flat surface about 1-1/4" wide. I put 1" armorflex on the entire perimeter top side. It made the craft more quiet.The rods did not slip around as before.Laying the paddles on them makes no noise .And the big one,I did not have to take a trailer anymore.Upside down the canoe laid right against the van top,no racks.

The van is nice so I would not chance dinging it.

I put 2 20 lb bags of gravel in the far end to stabilize it in the water. Hard lesson learned that I need them. Hope this helps

C22

Thanks for the reply! The armflex idea is a great one, I planned to do it to my thwart bars. But never thought of doing the rest.

BTW,I used DAP Weldwood contact cement to bond the a flex

I put a rod rack in mine.