Cabin floor
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2469
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Cabin floor
Hi everyone. My boats cabin floor is stained and impossible to clean now. Anyone tried the stick on vinyl deck treatment? Looks similar to that used for regular houses which do not float. Do I have to sand the floor smooth to use it? Any other ideas? I’d love to do a teak floor, but even that got beat up pretty bad when I had the teak veneer floor panel that was being sold by someone on this site years ago. It lasted a few years, then a few more looking poorly. I removed it a couple years ago.
Carpet is out because of my dogs. They like to shred it. So is the foam deck covering, for the same reason. I also thought about applying pickup truck bed coating. It does not cover the factory nonskid pattern completely though, where I used it outside. It looks ok for outside. Inside I’d like something more attractive, dog proof, and waterproof.
Thanks for any ideas!
Ix
Carpet is out because of my dogs. They like to shred it. So is the foam deck covering, for the same reason. I also thought about applying pickup truck bed coating. It does not cover the factory nonskid pattern completely though, where I used it outside. It looks ok for outside. Inside I’d like something more attractive, dog proof, and waterproof.
Thanks for any ideas!
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
- NiceAft
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- Russ
- Admiral
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Re: Cabin floor
That's a good question
I did the wood laminate flooring a few years ago. It was slippery and it didn't work out.
I actually went back to the OEM junk carpet the boat came with.
You have specific considerations. Dogs for example.
Have you thought about pure practical and just paint it with nonskid or something like that? Probably won't look nice, but would be very practical.
I did the wood laminate flooring a few years ago. It was slippery and it didn't work out.
I actually went back to the OEM junk carpet the boat came with.
You have specific considerations. Dogs for example.
Have you thought about pure practical and just paint it with nonskid or something like that? Probably won't look nice, but would be very practical.
--Russ
- rsvpasap
- First Officer
- Posts: 242
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:05 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Cabin floor
I have had this for about a year. It's tough and stands up to some abuse. If it gets dirt or food stains, so far, they just come right off by scrubbing with warm water. The final picture I posted is an example before doing maintenance cleaning which I do whenever it catches my attention but only takes about 5 minutes. Having this material has prompted me to no longer wear street shoes in the cabin of the boat.






- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2469
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Cabin floor
Oh your boat looks so nice. Love the stove there! I see the foam flooring. It’s not terribly expensive (for boat stuff) I guess I could replace it every few years. Did you just stick it down or did you use adhesive?
Ix
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2469
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Cabin floor
Russ wrote: ↑Fri Sep 05, 2025 2:08 pm That's a good question
I did the wood laminate flooring a few years ago. It was slippery and it didn't work out.
I actually went back to the OEM junk carpet the boat came with.
You have specific considerations. Dogs for example.
Have you thought about pure practical and just paint it with nonskid or something like that? Probably won't look nice, but would be very practical.
The wood veneer held up for a good while, but it was very thin so the plywood was showing through in some places from cleaning. but solid teak is so crazy expensive right now. I thought about using another type of wood, but now I’m thinking pickupttuck bed liner.
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
- rsvpasap
- First Officer
- Posts: 242
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2013 2:05 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Seattle, WA
Re: Cabin floor
It has an adhesive backing. I also sprayed the perimeter of the floor with 3M maximum strength contact spray. The edges have not come up at all.
-
OverEasy
- Admiral
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- Location: NH & SC
Re: Cabin floor
Hi Ixneigh!
You might want to consider epoxy paint and some soft sand to make non skid.
The process as you probably already know is clean the base surface throughly.
Wipe with acetone with good ventilation, rubber gloves and no possible ignition sources.
Apply two coats epoxy primer let dry between coats.
Apply a good coat of base color epoxy paint let dry.
Apply a second coat of base color epoxy paint and immediately apply a uniformly through coating of ‘soft sand’ to the wet paint. Let dry.
After curing gently but throughly vacuum/sweep up excess ‘soft sand’ ( Note: The ‘soft sand’ can be reused if desired)
Then apply two coats of the final color epoxy paint allowing to dry between coats.
It will provide a tough durable non-slip surface and a fresh restart for the cabin sole color.
Best Regards
Over Easy
Post edited. Political nuances are against forum rules.
You might want to consider epoxy paint and some soft sand to make non skid.
The process as you probably already know is clean the base surface throughly.
Wipe with acetone with good ventilation, rubber gloves and no possible ignition sources.
Apply two coats epoxy primer let dry between coats.
Apply a good coat of base color epoxy paint let dry.
Apply a second coat of base color epoxy paint and immediately apply a uniformly through coating of ‘soft sand’ to the wet paint. Let dry.
After curing gently but throughly vacuum/sweep up excess ‘soft sand’ ( Note: The ‘soft sand’ can be reused if desired)
Then apply two coats of the final color epoxy paint allowing to dry between coats.
It will provide a tough durable non-slip surface and a fresh restart for the cabin sole color.
Best Regards
Over Easy
Post edited. Political nuances are against forum rules.
- dlandersson
- Admiral
- Posts: 4943
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
Re: Cabin floor
My PO added a fake wood covering then covered that with carpet more than 15 years ago. Seems to be holding up ok.

Ixneigh wrote: ↑Fri Sep 05, 2025 1:30 pm Hi everyone. My boats cabin floor is stained and impossible to clean now. Anyone tried the stick on vinyl deck treatment? Looks similar to that used for regular houses which do not float. Do I have to sand the floor smooth to use it? Any other ideas? I’d love to do a teak floor, but even that got beat up pretty bad when I had the teak veneer floor panel that was being sold by someone on this site years ago. It lasted a few years, then a few more looking poorly. I removed it a couple years ago.
Carpet is out because of my dogs. They like to shred it. So is the foam deck covering, for the same reason. I also thought about applying pickup truck bed coating. It does not cover the factory nonskid pattern completely though, where I used it outside. It looks ok for outside. Inside I’d like something more attractive, dog proof, and waterproof.
Thanks for any ideas!
Ix

- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2469
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Cabin floor
Ok I've decided to use the stick on foam as an easy fix that might be a “just replace it every couple years” thing depending on if the dogs tear it up. Theres a roll of the stuff on eBay which looks like it might work.
My plan is to smooth the nonskid first, with squeege’d on epoxy paste compound. That should help the sticky back foam piece to adhere better. A lot of the damage to the teak panel veneer came from dropping stuff on it. Maybe the foam will be more forgiving. (Bouncy)
Thanks for the pics and suggestions, everyone!
PS if the mods had to remove political whatever from my post please PM me so I know what it was. I’m all on board with the policy. It wasn’t intentional by any means.
Ix
My plan is to smooth the nonskid first, with squeege’d on epoxy paste compound. That should help the sticky back foam piece to adhere better. A lot of the damage to the teak panel veneer came from dropping stuff on it. Maybe the foam will be more forgiving. (Bouncy)
Thanks for the pics and suggestions, everyone!
PS if the mods had to remove political whatever from my post please PM me so I know what it was. I’m all on board with the policy. It wasn’t intentional by any means.
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6710
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Cabin floor
You’re fine Ix. If something was removed, you’d know it.Ixneigh wrote: ↑Sat Sep 06, 2025 6:24 am Ok I've decided to use the stick on foam as an easy fix that might be a “just replace it every couple years” thing depending on if the dogs tear it up. Theres a roll of the stuff on eBay which looks like it might work.
My plan is to smooth the nonskid first, with squeege’d on epoxy paste compound. That should help the sticky back foam piece to adhere better. A lot of the damage to the teak panel veneer came from dropping stuff on it. Maybe the foam will be more forgiving. (Bouncy)
Thanks for the pics and suggestions, everyone!
PS if the mods had to remove political whatever from my post please PM me so I know what it was. I’m all on board with the policy. It wasn’t intentional by any means.
Ix

Ray ~~_/)~~
- pitchpolehobie
- Captain
- Posts: 592
- Joined: Wed Dec 18, 2019 8:46 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: USA, OH
Re: Cabin floor
Love your interior. I like the heater position. Very well placed. Your foam floor liner looks like its held up great. I got the grey one and it seemed to take every spill and stain deep. Even water spots seemed to discolor it. I ended up putting carpet back over it so i do get a little extra insulation on the feet. Im prob due for new carpet this winter.rsvpasap wrote: ↑Fri Sep 05, 2025 2:18 pm I have had this for about a year. It's tough and stands up to some abuse. If it gets dirt or food stains, so far, they just come right off by scrubbing with warm water. The final picture I posted is an example before doing maintenance cleaning which I do whenever it catches my attention but only takes about 5 minutes. Having this material has prompted me to no longer wear street shoes in the cabin of the boat.
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2002 MacGregor 26X: Remedium
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
Tohatsu 25HP
Cruising Area: Inland Ohio, Lake Erie
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2469
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Cabin floor
I sanded off nonskid in preparation for adhering foam, however I decided I liked the darker color. (Under the nonskid there is a dark pigment or resin) so I may use black or very dark foam or other material which is easy to replace as needed. I stay on the boat for half the year. My “season” is from oct-may, so everything gets a lot of use.
Ix
Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
- kurz
- Admiral
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- Location: Zürich, Switzerland, Europe
Re: Cabin floor

Here's my carpet situation: Since I never use the cushions on the bench—they're always in the way—I covered the benches with this sturdy carpet, just like the floor. I like it better this way because the covers are no longer an ugly white.
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2469
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Cabin floor
My dogs tear the carpet up. They scratch it, push it around, etc. I even thought outdoor tile. Extra ballast too. 
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.

