I just ordered some new carpet and I am thinking of putting a pad on the front deck. Can anyone suggest the correct type of pad for this application. Thank you.

Although I have never tried it, I have been told "closed cell foam anti-fatigue matting". It is available at Lowes or Home Depot in the carpet dept..............Al

I have been considering this also when I recarpet my boat. I will be following this thread.

Wouldn't it be cheaper, and easier, and less weight to get a good pair of shoes with adequate padding in the soles?

Your feet, legs, and back won't know if the padding is a part of the boat, or a part of your footgear.

Wouldn't it be cheaper, and easier, and less weight to get a good pair of shoes with adequate padding in the soles?

Your feet, legs, and back won't know if the padding is a part of the boat, or a part of your footgear.

x2

Except the only time you will "not feel the padding" is when you kneel down to bring in that big hawg into the boat.

Then again...doesn't all boat carpet have rubber backing anyway?

My footwear is fine. In the summer I am usually barefoot so the padding will be more comfortable and it should help the carpet last longer on the deck.

My footwear is fine. In the summer I am usually barefoot so the padding will be more comfortable and it should help the carpet last longer on the deck.

It does extend the life of carpets in a house.  I'm not so sure about a boat.  On further reflection, I'm not sure closed cell foam is a good idea.

Once moisture gets beneath the padding, it will remain trapped.  The boat carpet breathes enough to allow moisture to evaporate.  Closed cell will not allow air or moisture to pass through.

Hum, I remember there was a small company that made these friggin awesome boat shoes. They were "water shoes" meaning they could get wet, swim, etc, but they were wicked comfortable made for fishing....i cant seem to find them around the net tho  :-?

I would not put a pad under the carpet.  Boat carpet is glued down and I don't think the pad would last long.  It would also hold water and be a general pain.

At least one boat manufacturer offered a padded carpet, I believe it was Bumble Bee, and there may be others that I'm not aware of.

I would think you could just glue the pad down then glue the carpet to the pad. Closed cell foam will not absorb water,  the glue should prevent water from getting under the pad and the carpet would still dry the same as now. Cutting around and wrapping the lids with carpet may be a problem after the pad is glued down.....Should work???

At least one boat manufacturer offered a padded carpet, I believe it was Bumble Bee, and there may be others that I'm not aware of.

I would think you could just glue the pad down then glue the carpet to the pad. Closed cell foam will not absorb water, the glue should prevent water from getting under the pad and the carpet would still dry the same as now. Cutting around and wrapping the lids with carpet may be a problem after the pad is glued down.....Should work???

Most higher end boat manufacturers now offer a padded deck. I know triton, ranger, and basscat do.

You guys saying not to use padding must be out of the loop. As Al said, putting padding under the carpet is becoming commonplace for all major manufacturers.

I'd call a few of the manufacturers and ask what they use for their padding.