Looking for an education here. The cockpit carpet on my 1996 290 is trashed. I looked into new carpet; after getting some prices ( ), I'm now looking at maybe doing Lonseal or Pirelli flooring. But, the best way to install that stuff is to remove the bolsters.

So, I see the bases of the bolsters are bolted down into the floor. My question is, what are they bolted to? Is there a threaded backing plate under the cockpit sole? Or a big nut and lockwasher? Or what? If I start unbolting those things, am I going to hear a *thunk* as something falls into the bilge? (no doubt followed by a fair number of 4 letter words...)

Basically, is this a bolt/unbolt operation, or major surgery?

dock
Put a post up that you are looking for a used or left over new carpet. I just got rid of mine last fall for a 2000 290, CBGNRL bought it from me and I had never even opened it in 5 years. Just my thought but I would save up and at least buy a lay in. I talked to a guy that owns Custom Carpet Marine(1-877-snapin1) a couple of months ago about new carpet, but I am waiting until this winter to do the cockpit area but call him and ask for a price. From what other OSOers said he is good and reasonable, His price to me was around $600.00 Web site is [email protected]
Good luck



Rich.

I believe the bolster are bolted into threaded backing plates that are fiberglassed into the cockpit liner.

That's what I figured, but I'm hoping to here from Mandi (does she still monitor this site) or someone else that can tell me *for sure*.

I'm stil undecided - this will be a fall/winter/spring project anyhow. I just have heartburn paying $600-800 bucks for carpet that someone is sure to spill a Capt and Coke on in any case...

Why cover a perfectly good fiberglass liner with perelli flooring?

I once looked into perelli but couldn't figure out why it would be any better than the finished fiberglass - I do think it is a great alternative if you have a wood floor underneath the carpet.

dockrocker,
I own a 29 pq and I pulled out the drivers bolster it will take you about 5 minutes. On mine nothing fell, I would amagine yours are the same way, very simple job.
Calvin

boatnt,
Did you get my messages.
Calvin

I second what mentalpause says, why put Perelli over a nice liner? I did an older donzi I had with a reminent that I bought cheap at a carpet store. I used the old carpet as a pattern to cut the reminent, and then I had carpet store bound the edges. It cost me about 200 bucks.

I agree with the others....leave the floor and get a new carpet

Hi Dock,

If you decide to remove your bolsters be extemely careful when removing the screws. When I had my 29 I wanted to remove mine to have the frames repowder coated and could only get one side out. When trying to get the passenger side frame out the bolts snaped(1 on each side of rear legs) Once they snap your not able to replace the bolts, you have no access to the plate underneath to easyout the excisting bolt. If your putting down another floor I would cut around them. By the way R+R Textiles INC in GA made all Powerquests lay in carpets, they should have the templates or send them your old one and they will copy it. Its made and bound with all marine grade Material. Their phone number is (706) 695-1555. I paid $337.00 w/shipping including the Powerquest Script logo sewn in, but that was in 11/00 hope this help out. Jeff