Standard Carpet vs. Marine Carpet
What's the difference between marine carpet and run-of-the-mill indoor rug material? For one, the overall quality and durability of marine carpet tend to be higher than standard rugs. This is because marine carpet has to withstand outdoor conditions, including UV radiation, water, and weather.
Marine carpet also must be easy to clean. That's not to say that you need to use marine carpet for your sailboat or that you can only use it outside. But given the likelihood of wet feet and spills coming into contact with your sailboat rug in a small sailboat cabin, it's usually best to opt for a high-quality marine carpet.
The biggest downside to marine carpet is that it generally doesn't come in precise pre-cut shapes. You can either cut it yourself or take it to a carpet and flooring store to have custom dimensions cut with professional machinery.
Pre-Cut Area Rugs vs. Cut-To-Size Material
If you're looking for the easiest and cheapest solution, purchasing a pre-cut carpet runner should do the trick. Carpet runners come in a variety of sizes, sometimes as narrow as 18 inches and as long as 8 feet.
However, your material choices for carpet runners are limited. And if you need to cover several areas, it may be more economical to purchase a roll of your favorite carpet and have it cut to the precise size that you need in your boat.
Best Sailboat Carpet Runners
Sailboat carpet runners are long narrow sections of rug designed for thin passageways in your cabin. Runners have nicely finished edges and sometimes come with a non-slip bottom from the factory, eliminating the need for additional material. Here are the best carpet runners for sailboats.
1. Metropolis Runner Rug
Who doesn't love a nautical-themed rug aboard a sailboat? There's hardly a better pattern for a sailboat rug than blue anchors. This high-quality Metropolis carpet runner is pretty good from a material standpoint as well.
This carpet runner is available in multiple sizes, including 2 feet by 6 feet 7 inches and 2 feet by 13 feet, making it one of the longest and narrowest nautical carpet runners on the market. It's made of 100% polypropylene, which is soft and durable.
Polypropylene is an excellent carpet material, but it may not be the best choice for sailboats. Plush polypropylene doesn't handle dirt, water, oil, and sand, as well as dedicated marine carpet. That said, it's more than adequate for liveaboards and sailboats that don't get too wet.
2. Kieckritz Sage Brush Nylon-Edge Marine Carpet Runner
Here's a pre-cut Kieckritz carpet runner that's available in dozens of sizes and configurations. It's made of durable polyester and comes with finished nylon fabric edges. Note that both of these materials are commonly found on sailboats, which proves their efficacy in marine environments.
Fundamentally, this carpet runner is just a high-quality outdoor rug. It doubles up as an excellent marine rug too, and it works just as well in the cabin as it does in the cockpit or around the deck.
You'll often find this material stapled to the edges of docks in many areas. It's used as a bumper to keep boat hulls from getting scratched. It's not the most comfortable carpet in the world, and it leaves much to be desired in terms of softness. But when it comes to marine grime, it's tough to go wrong with a thick polyester and nylon outdoor rug.
3. Kieckritz Premium Medium Density Nylon Carpet Runner
Kieckritz is back with another durable carpet that's ideal for use on a sailboat. This deep blue outdoor carpet runner features medium-thickness mat material and a tough anti-slip underside. Just drop it on the floor, and it's ready to go.
This carpet runner is available in numerous sizes and shapes, which means it'll be easy to find a rug that'll fit in your specified area. The edges are soft nylon fabric, and the material itself is a synthetic blend. The 3/16" thick material is durable and resistant to weather, water, and grime.
The Kieckritz outdoor carpet runner is essentially a marine carpet marketed for wider use. It's made in the United States, which is an assurance of excellent quality control. These rugs make great interior floor coverings, and they also work great in wet sailboat cockpits.
4. House, Home, and More Skid-Resistant Carpet Runner
Do you need something lightweight, skid-resistant, and strong? If so, consider adding a House, Home, and More carpet runner to your sailboat. This average-looking rug has above-average build quality and weather resistance. It won't slide or jam up under doors, and it's built to last.
This simple and rugged carpet is made of synthetic olefin material, which is durable and similar in feel to soft polyester. It's not the softest in the world, but it's more plush than most outdoor-style carpets and comfortable to stand on. These qualities make it an excellent multi-function sailboat carpet.
5. Mescchsk Ultra Soft Plush Shag Runner rug
Here's a rug designed for interior spaces on a sailboat where comfort is a critical concern. The Mescchsk ultra-soft plush carpet runner is long and slender, making it perfect for sailboat hallways or berthing areas.
It's extremely soft and comfortable to walk on barefoot, and it comes in many themes, including a fun blue and white ocean style. It's also ideal for sailboats with pets, as it's easy to clean and vacuum stray hairs. This carpet is a great way to give a sailboat cabin that 'cozy home' feeling.
To be clear, this is not an outdoor rug. It is not ideal for tracking in muddy boots, saltwater, or marine grime. This is a rug for an area that's designated as a clean space on your boat with no water intrusion.
Best Sailboat Area Rugs and Carpet Rolls
Here's a great selection of marine-grade area rugs and carpet rolls, which cover larger areas. You can also cut some of these rugs to size to fill in nooks and odd-sized spaces, such as cockpits and seating areas. Purchasing large rugs or rolls of premium specialized carpet is more economical when covering large spaces.
1. Aqua Turf Outdoor Carpet Royal Blue
Aqua Turf carpet is specifically designed for outdoor marine use, but it's also an excellent choice for indoor use. This carpet works just as well in the cockpit as it does in the head or galley, as it's waterproof and resistant to damaging ultraviolet rays.
As far as outdoor carpets go, the quality of the Aqua Turf is on the higher end. It's available in sizes ranging from 3 inches to 96 inches wide, and it comes in a deep royal blue color. Additionally, you can choose from 14 color options, including maroon, black, baby blue, brown, and green.
This carpet is made from 100% synthetic olefin material, which is the go-to substance for durable outdoor carpets. It has low water retention qualities, meaning it dries fast and doesn't soak up liquid like a sponge. That also means it's tough to stain and easy to clean.
2. Happybuy Blue Marine Carpet
Happybuy blue marine carpet is an excellent example of a high-quality waterproof carpet. It comes in a large roll, which can easily be cut to size to cover oddly-shaped areas. The carpet is thick but flexible, meaning it'll be stiff for the first day or so but eventually flatten out and lay securely.
The carpet comes in two shades of gray and one shade of blue. It's made of durable synthetic polyester, which protects it from wear and makes it essentially stain-proof. Polyester is also ideal for use on boats because it's UV resistant and can be cleaned easily.
With this Happybuy carpet, no carpet liner or anti-slip treatment is required. The bottom is rubberized to keep the carpet from sliding around. It works just as well indoors as it does outdoors, and the fibers are soft enough to walk barefoot on.
3. RestorePontoon 16oz Marine Outdoor Carpet
RestorePontoon is a popular manufacturer of marine carpets. They produce numerous shapes and sizes, including this tough 16oz marine outdoor carpet. This variant is available in several sizes and colors, including black, dark blue, burgundy, green, red, teal, and khaki.
This high-quality Marine Carpet is made of 16oz water-resistant synthetic material, making it ideal for use in sailboat cabins. It's also resistant to mildew and mold and designed to be glued down in place.
The carpet is manufactured in the United States, which ensures quality and safety. It's available in 16, 20, 25, and 30-foot rolls. It can be cut easily with a pair of shop scissors for a precise custom fit. It's not the least expensive choice, but the quality of RestorePontoon material makes it one of the best on the market.
4. Better Marine Carpet 20oz Teal Carpet
Here's a high-quality and American-made marine carpet by Better Marine. The Better Marine 20oz marine carpet is made of heavy-duty material, and it's easily cut to size for a custom fit. Being a marine carpet, this 20oz Better Marine material is waterproof, UV-resistant, and made to last a very long time.
This carpet comes in an attractive teal color, and other color options are also available. The material itself is soft and waterproof, which also means it resists stains. The deep teal color is resistant to fading thanks to its special synthetic material composition.
This particular carpet is rubber-backed and designed to be glued onto a surface. That means that you'll have to take some extra steps to ensure a secure fit, though it could also be cut into small area rugs without much trouble. Glue-down marine carpets are ideal for laying rugs in tight and oddly-shaped areas, such as a sailboat galley or head.
5. Bascar Heavy Soft 32oz Marine Carpet
Here we have one of the heaviest marine carpets on our list. The 32oz Bascar ‘Heavy Soft' marine carpet is designed for durability, yet it's surprisingly comfortable to walk on barefoot. This high-quality carpet is one of the best on the market for interior and cockpit use on a sailboat.
The carpet material itself is designed for outdoor use on pontoon boats, so you can rest assured that it's durable enough for your sailboat. It's waterproof and UV resistant. It comes in several different colors, including burgundy red, granite gray, jasmine blue, and sand beige.
This is also the softest marine carpet on our list. The surface is patterned, and the material is plush. There's quite a lot of give to the carpet material, which makes it particularly comfortable to walk on. This makes the carpet ideal for use on the deck or in the cockpit, and it's just as comfortable in a hallway or a berthing space.
