Since it seems to come up every month or so, I thought I would write a do-it-yourself thread on Hydroturf. (Tony B, it would be cool to have a "Do it Yourself" Sub Forum).

I had 4 sheets of 47x86 dark grey, cut groove hydro turf with 3m backing. My rig is a 18x52 Prodrive X Series Boat and 4 sheets was plenty (could have gotten away with three).

Here is what I used for the job...



- Mineral Spirits
- 3M High Strength 90 Spray Adhesive
- Straight Edge (Mine is 60" and I agree with my wife, the longer the better)
- And a Carpet Knife (I think these work way better than a standard utility knife)
- A pair of sharp scissors

This is not rocket science. Just take your time and measure twice, and cut once.

Once your piece of turf is cut, wipe the area of the boat down with the mineral spirits to clean it and remove any light dirt and oil. Use common sense (which is rare around here) and if the area is real dirty clean it with soap and water.

Even though this hydroturf had the 3M backing I still sprayed the 3M Spray Adhesive on the edges and corners to make sure I got a good hold.

Again, take your time and use your straight edge to make all of your cuts. The front deck is the hardest part to cut. I did a rough cut with a pair of scissors then began trimming it down until it fit perfectly. This step may not be important to some of you, but I dont like spending 20k on a boat then n1ggering it up by doing a crappy job on additions to it.

One more time, TAKE YOUR TIME and this could be the end results....

Looks good man. A big hook blade that is for roofing works well too for cutting. Also I used silicone along edges that butt up against something to keep shit from working under it.

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Looks good. Looks to be the PD camo paint with the tan base coat.

Looks good. After having it I won't be w/out it in any alum boat.

It looks professional... Nice work!!

Looks awesome, Shafer! Good job. This is how I put mine in....

$$$$$$



But....I was already spending a mint on getting the boat built with all the other perks...what was a little more money!?!?

BTW...that console cover come from PD?

Great job, I like that color, mine was a little bright in the beginning but it blends in well with the winter dry grass during duck season. I used the same method. I found out you can stick it down then trim the edges and peel it off while it's fresh. Thats how I did the curve on the front deck.

Shafer, I used 4 sheets because I put the seam down the middle of my front deck.

Oh and that camo job is fuckin slick! If Kevin is still painting them for Pro-Drive, he's definitly got his shit together!

Gotcha Owen...

I thought about putting the front deck seam down the middle, but my trolling motor will cover up the seam being on that side so I didnt worry about it too much.

Dam those are two nice ass boats.Great job guys.

My seam is in the middle and the trick to hiding them is forget about a square, cut with the groove. One piece cut it in the lower corner with the high side meets the low side where the bottom groove is still on the sheet you want. The next piece you want to cut the same way but leaving the high side on the piece that will match up to the one it will be next to. It hides pretty good this way.

That turf is the ticket- no more carpetting for me. The hardest part was removing the carpet adhesive residue- wire wheel and acetone did it. I bought the closeout dark grey diamond pattern/ tan camo, way cheaper, and now have an eclectic mix. I told my friends if they complain about it they'll find themselves in with the gators. Man, it stays cool in the south Florida sun, and I was barefoot the other day while fishing and it cushions and provides a better non-slip surface than the carpet did. Good DIY post!

Looks awesome guys! If y'all don't want to mess with a seam, they make sheets one size bigger. I order one big one for the deck and then however many of the normal sized sheets for the rest of the boat

I also think if you round the corners of the cut pieces like on the lid, it cleans it up a little bit.

They also make an 86" wide but it's only 47" long

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lol