I want to put bed liner on the inside of my boat.  I was wondering what is the best way to go?

Adds a lot of weight.  What is the issue?  Bed liner is not a leak fixer

I thought it would be a cheaper alternative to carpet, and may dampen sound.  Plus, you don't have to worry about cutting and gluing down carpet.

Will cost about the same.

Carpet is VERY easy, much quiter and nice on the feet in the summer.  Carpeted decks or floor decks are the way to go.

Do not carpet directly to the Alum, make floor decks.  See my boat in THIS thread

My buddy did the black bed liner in his jon.  It dampens the sound some.   On the aluminum floor the water underneath keeps it cool.  The bench seats get hot though.  

Wood and carpet is better, but i don't see how it could be cheaper or easier.

CARPETED DECK

Wood is $17 (3/8 cdx) if not free, pieces that size aren't too hard to find.

Urethane- $6

Carpet $30 (less if not doing benches like in my boat)

3m 99 spray glue $9

If you don't have one, borrow a staple gun.  Stainless staples-$6

So you're looking about $40-50 if you have to buy a staple gun (always handy to have)

BEDLINER

Bedliner- $30 for a quart (not enough for the multiple coats needed)  $60 gallon.  

as for easier, you have to do the coats back to back w/ a 24 cure in between if doing it w/ a roller as opposed to paying a shop to spray it (even more expensive).  So take the time involved (provided you get a good long weather window if boat is being done outside) plus the cost of materials and then look at the differences of the final product and it's a "no brainer".  (Opinion of course)

Carpet is definatley the way to go.

Another plus for carpeted deck.  Stuff on floor stays dry!!!!

The decks sit on top of the floor ribs.  This keeps the deck off of the actual floor, allowing water from anchor, etc to flow around UNDER the decks.  Stuff on top stays dry

I stand corrected as long as he already has the tools to cut the wood.

I stand corrected as long as he already has the tools to cut the wood.

Needed to be asked.  Seeing the project laid out will help him if he decides to go for it  Teamwork Surfer,...teamwork!!

I am the one that is going to build the aluminum deck.  I really wanted to build it all out of aluminum so no worry about rotting.  I have been checking on the prices of marine grade carpeting with glue, and it is at least $150.  I know some of you use the carpet from lowes, does it hold up well?

Extremely well.

I know some of you use the carpet from lowes, does it hold up well?

I have heard that you should take a treble hook lure with you to pick out the carpet.  Drop the lure on the carpet.  If it get hung up badly don't buy that carpet.  Again not personal experience, but is sounded like good advice to me.

CARPETED DECK

Wood is $17 (3/8 cdx) if not free, pieces that size aren't too hard to find.

Urethane- $6

Carpet $30 (less if not doing benches like in my boat)

3m 99 spray glue $9

If you don't have one, borrow a staple gun.  Stainless staples-$6

So you're looking about $40-50 if you have to buy a staple gun (always handy to have)

The joy and satisfaction of doing yourself, "Priceless"

I find the carpet at loews to be better then the home depot stuff.  All carpet will snag.  You are not working on a 50,000 dollar Ranger so why worry.  I have replaced the carpet in my once in 22 years no big deal.  Find a color you like and go for it.  Plus you won't get as upset when some one spills something on your 50 dollar carpet as you will when they spill it on the 150 dollar carpet.

Good Luck,

TomD