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2004 Carpet Replacement - Raccoon Damage

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  • 2004 Carpet Replacement - Raccoon Damage

    I have read many posts about carpet replacement and have a few specific questions about doing this work on a 2004 X-10. But, first things first - - - what happened to the carpet?

    I picked up the boat on Memorial Day Weekend from our regular storage place, which is a barn outside of Lake Mills, Wisconsin. I've kept the boat there for 7 winters and have never had a single problem. The barn is well made and there have never been issues with damage. I put it away when it's dry and put Damp Rid and moth balls throughout the boat just to be sure.

    I realized something wasn't quite right when I saw that the cover snaps had been undone on the port side near the stern and the cover was folded back. Muddy footprints and smell of an animal latrine greeted me, causing me to yell a lot of words which I won't repeat here.

    I did a quick inspection and then texted my wife that I needed to do a huge cleanup when I got the boat home.

    20 miles later, I pulled into the driveway still completely aggravated that I had to spend my Memorial Day Saturday cleaning bow to stern. After donning protective gear, I cleaned out the huge amount feces from the storage area on the beneath the back bench seat on the starboard side. I take the cushions off the seats during storage to allow for good air movement and that allowed the winter residents to get in and out of that storage area easily.

    Next came the shop vac, which allowed me to get rid of most of the debris. The moth ball packages had been ripped up open, so I had a lot of moth balls to vacuum up - - - they obviously hadn't been a deterrent for whatever had been living in this beloved boat of ours. I found the carpeting in the bunks in the bow and stern had all been torn away from the hull and much of it had been chewed and shredded into little pieces. That took awhile to vacuum up, as well.

    Power washing and scrubbing the carpets with soapy water came next, as I worked from bow to stern, trying to wash everything out via the bilge.

    From the muddy footprints everywhere, I was pretty certain this had been a raccoon living in the boat. This suspicion was confirmed when I removed a panel in the stern and came face-to-face with the raccoon which was still living in the boat.

    This was essentially a free cardiac stress test as I jumped back, heart pounding. I am not queasy or easily frightened by animals but I had never thought that the animal would still be in the boat!

    Once my heart rate and blood pressure came back down, I called animal control, who came and caught the raccoon. They also started to hear some soft cooing from the other side of the stern - - - removing the panel on that side led to the discovery of no fewer than 4 baby raccoons, as well. Unbelievable. The whole family was home.

    For animal lovers, the family of raccoons made their way later that day to Milton, Wisconsin, where they were released into the wild. (Boat owners in Milton, beware.)

    Now to my questions for the forum.

    The carpeting in the main parts of the boat is actually fine, in fact, it cleaned up as well as ever. The carpeting which was ripped away from the gunwales and shredded is all in the storage bunks in the bow and in the storage areas adjacent to the engine compartment. That said, I have wanted to replace the carpeting for a number of years (and the vinyl, but that is another post, most likely.)

    I'll post additional photos showing the interior of the boat, but my question is this: Since I have been thinking of replacing the carpeting for some time anyway and will likely have some insurance money coming for this, I'm wondering if it is time to rip everything out and replace with new.

    If I do replace everything with new, how big of a job is this with a 2004 X-10? I've read posts where they report that sliding new carpeting under the fiberglass into the storage bunks in the bow is a real pain - - - is it possible to remove the interior fiberglass parts to make this an easier job?

    I'm also wondering the same for the carpeting which goes from the main cabin into the stern - - - is it easy enough to remove that back seat to facilitate laying new carpeting into the stern?

    A few pics have been included to tell the story. I'll take a few more to show more of the work which I'd like to do and post them soon. (I've looked at mechanical systems and wiring and don't find any damage, which is great.)

    Big question is - - - has anyone replaced all of the carpeting in an X-10 or a similar boat from this era and how big of a job would it be?

    (and yes - - - I'm already looking for a new storage option.)

    Thanks, in advance,
    Mark
    Attached Files
    Last edited by musicmd; 06-04-2020, 10:31 AM.
    2004 X-10

    186,000 miles per second - - - not just a good idea, it's the law.

  • #2
    lucky….could have been very very bad

    Comment


    • #3
      The correct way to get carpet under the fiberglass seats would be to separate the top deck from the hull and lay down the carpet. Obviously that requires having the right equipment and a lot of time and patience to do so.

      My recommendation, if you're going to rip out the carpet, is to put in Gatorstep or the like. Unfortunately a Gatorstep template doesn't exist for your boat, so you'll have to make your own. Storage compartments can be lined with this stuff: https://teamtalk.mastercraft.com/sho...d.php?t=104726

      Comment


      • #4
        Where are you going to store the boat next winter ?
        If she don't shine , she ain't mine

        Comment


        • #5
          At least the raccoon(s) had good taste...the could have stayed in a Bu. Sorry to hear of the misfortune. As others said, it could have been MUCH worse.
          2017 NXT22, 2015 NXT20, 2007 X2, 2002 209

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Tsumi View Post
            The correct way to get carpet under the fiberglass seats would be to separate the top deck from the hull and lay down the carpet. Obviously that requires having the right equipment and a lot of time and patience to do so.

            My recommendation, if you're going to rip out the carpet, is to put in Gatorstep or the like. Unfortunately a Gatorstep template doesn't exist for your boat, so you'll have to make your own. Storage compartments can be lined with this stuff: https://teamtalk.mastercraft.com/sho...d.php?t=104726
            Thanks for the reply. I did a quick search for separating the top deck from the hull in an X-10 or similar, but didn't find a specific post on that.

            I have lots of patience, however, I'm curious what the "right equipment" is for this type of operation. Can anyone shed a light on what in involved in doing this?

            Obviously, it just seems much easier to replace the carpeting without the top deck in place. I'm just wondering what is involved to make this happen.

            Thanks, again.
            2004 X-10

            186,000 miles per second - - - not just a good idea, it's the law.

            Comment


            • #7
              Agreed. I am frustrated that this happened, but, as I said, I've never had a single problem with the storage space until this year.
              2004 X-10

              186,000 miles per second - - - not just a good idea, it's the law.

              Comment


              • #8
                Another quick update. Our insurance policy excludes damage caused by animals, rodents, birds, insects or "the like." So, this work will all be done on my dime.

                In a way, this will be good, because I actually enjoy working on the boat and will know how the work gets done.

                Again, any advice on how difficult it is to remove the top deck on an X-10 is much appreciated.
                2004 X-10

                186,000 miles per second - - - not just a good idea, it's the law.

                Comment


                • #9
                  https://teamtalk.mastercraft.com//sh...ad.php?t=66438

                  205V, but the same era as your boat so should be pretty similar.

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                  • #10
                    Why go to all the trouble of splitting the top deck just to have carpet in your storage areas? Rip the carpet out and replace with seadek, gator step, or aquamarine deck. It will be way easier. Plus carpet in storage areas gets wet and takes forever to dry. The other stuff won't have that issue and is way easier to clean.

                    Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by bcd View Post
                      Why go to all the trouble of splitting the top deck just to have carpet in your storage areas? Rip the carpet out and replace with seadek, gator step, or aquamarine deck. It will be way easier. Plus carpet in storage areas gets wet and takes forever to dry. The other stuff won't have that issue and is way easier to clean.

                      Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
                      Thanks for this recommendation. I like the idea of Seadek, Gatorstep, Aquamarine, etc. Most of the damage to the carpet, however, is in the storage areas.

                      Are you suggesting using Seadek/Gatorstep/Aquamarine in the storage spaces, as well? Or are you simply saying that I should consider a different floor for the cabin rather than replace with carpeting everywhere?

                      Ultimately, the main place I have damage is in the storage areas, so I need a solution there. At the same time, I'm wondering if I just go ahead and replace everything, since it has been on my list as a "to do."
                      2004 X-10

                      186,000 miles per second - - - not just a good idea, it's the law.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by musicmd View Post
                        Thanks for the reply. I did a quick search for separating the top deck from the hull in an X-10 or similar, but didn't find a specific post on that.

                        I have lots of patience, however, I'm curious what the "right equipment" is for this type of operation. Can anyone shed a light on what in involved in doing this?

                        Obviously, it just seems much easier to replace the carpeting without the top deck in place. I'm just wondering what is involved to make this happen.

                        Thanks, again.
                        if you want to do that you can.. or you can lift it up with a crowbar a little and slip the carpet under it.

                        I sealed up the seat to floor with 5200and just ran the flooring up to it using seadeck.

                        The carpet in lockers can be glued on the edges and butted up to the side... if you need to replace that with seadeck type material you can just cut it and go...

                        lots of ways to do it.. you have to decide what you are going to replace the carpet with... you could even go the snap in carpet if so inclined...

                        if you start tearing it out and only replace the locker area with carpet you will go man I sure wish i would have just done it all at once.. which is what you should just go ahead and do you can get the carpet all to match.. besides they probably peed on everything anyway...

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                        • #13
                          must be the farm boy in me.... only good coon is a D__d one. damn things destroy everything..
                          Ask my lovely wife how they like here flowers... Funniest sight ever, seeing my wife standing on the deck 3AM in her underwear screaming at the top of her lungs that she was going to kill them all !! She may have used a few other words as well. On second thought, that still makes me laugh!!
                          maybe there not all bad!

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by curver900 View Post
                            if you want to do that you can.. or you can lift it up with a crowbar a little and slip the carpet under it.

                            I sealed up the seat to floor with 5200and just ran the flooring up to it using seadeck.

                            The carpet in lockers can be glued on the edges and butted up to the side... if you need to replace that with seadeck type material you can just cut it and go...

                            lots of ways to do it.. you have to decide what you are going to replace the carpet with... you could even go the snap in carpet if so inclined...

                            if you start tearing it out and only replace the locker area with carpet you will go man I sure wish i would have just done it all at once.. which is what you should just go ahead and do you can get the carpet all to match.. besides they probably peed on everything anyway...
                            Thanks for the great thoughts.
                            2004 X-10

                            186,000 miles per second - - - not just a good idea, it's the law.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Quick question for the group: Will an Aquamarine template for a 2001 X-10 also work for a 2004 X-10?
                              2004 X-10

                              186,000 miles per second - - - not just a good idea, it's the law.

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