6 Best Non Slip Bunk Carpets For Wet Boat Launches Boaters Swear By

We’ve all seen it at the boat launch. The ramp is slick with algae, the angle is steep, and a boat gets stuck halfway off the trailer, refusing to slide. The owner is wrestling with it, the winch is straining, and a line of impatient boaters is forming. That frustrating, and frankly dangerous, situation often comes down to one overlooked detail: worn-out, slippery bunk carpet.

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Why Quality Bunk Carpet Matters for Launches

Your trailer’s bunk carpet isn’t just there to look nice. It serves two critical, opposing functions: providing enough grip to hold your boat securely during transport, yet offering a smooth enough surface for an easy launch and retrieval. When that material fails, everything gets harder. Worn carpet loses its texture, becoming incredibly slick when wet and offering zero friction to guide your boat onto the trailer correctly.

This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a safety issue. A boat that slides off-center or too quickly can damage the hull, the trailer, or even the launch vehicle. Conversely, old, matted carpet can hold sand and grit, acting like sandpaper against your boat’s gelcoat every time you move it. High-quality, non-slip bunk material is one of the cheapest insurance policies you can buy for your boat and your sanity.

C.E. Smith Bunk Carpet: The Industry Standard

When you see a new boat trailer, there’s a good chance it’s wearing C.E. Smith bunk carpet. There’s a reason it’s the go-to for so many manufacturers. It’s a no-nonsense, reliable product made from weather-resistant polypropylene, which resists rot and mildew far better than the cheap indoor/outdoor carpet some people try to use as a substitute.

The key is its construction. The material has a durable texture that provides excellent grip on a wet hull, preventing that sideways slide you dread on a steep ramp. It’s backed with a tough, marine-grade rubber that adds cushioning and helps it adhere firmly to the wooden bunks. If you want a proven, dependable solution that balances grip, durability, and cost, this is your baseline. It just works.

Tie Down Marine Bunk Carpet: Durability Champ

For the boater who launches every weekend, or the guide who’s in and out of the water daily, bunk carpet takes a serious beating. This is where Tie Down Marine’s carpet really shines. It’s noticeably thicker and more densely woven than many budget options, designed specifically for high-wear applications.

Think of it as the heavy-duty upgrade. The robust construction means it’s less likely to tear or fray from the friction of a heavy fiberglass or aluminum hull sliding across it repeatedly. This added resilience also means it does a better job of resisting UV degradation from the sun and holding up to the harsh environment of brackish or saltwater. You might pay a little more upfront, but you’ll be replacing it far less often.

SeaSense Bunk Carpet: Top Budget-Friendly Pick

Let’s be practical: not everyone needs the most expensive, over-engineered solution. If you’re a casual boater who only launches a dozen times a season, a high-end carpet might be overkill. SeaSense offers a fantastic, budget-friendly option that gets the job done without compromise on core function.

This is a solid, all-around performer that provides good grip and decent longevity for the price. It’s made from the right materials—weather-resistant fibers with a durable backing—but might be a bit thinner than premium brands. The tradeoff for the lower cost is potentially a shorter lifespan, especially if your boat is particularly heavy or you launch frequently. For restoring an older trailer or for light-to-moderate use, SeaSense delivers incredible value.

Ozite Marine Carpet: A Custom Cut-to-Fit Solution

Sometimes, you don’t need a pre-packaged roll designed for standard bunk lengths. Maybe you have an oddly shaped trailer, need to cover guide-ons, or want to carpet the inside of your boat’s storage lockers with the same material. Ozite is a classic brand that’s often sold by the foot, giving you total flexibility.

This stuff is tough, lightweight, and incredibly versatile. Because it’s a non-woven material, you can cut it in any direction without it unraveling, which is a huge advantage for custom jobs. It has a slightly lower profile than dedicated bunk carpets but still provides excellent grip and protection. If you’re a DIYer who values practicality and customizability, keeping a roll of Ozite in the workshop is never a bad idea.

Gatorbak Bunk Covers: The Premium Non-Carpet Option

Carpet isn’t the only game in town. For those willing to invest in a long-term solution, Gatorbak synthetic bunk covers are a game-changer. These aren’t carpet at all, but rather durable, ribbed synthetic covers that screw directly onto your bunks. They completely eliminate the problems of rot, mildew, and water retention.

The ribbed channels are the clever part. They funnel water and debris away, so you aren’t grinding sand into your hull. They provide a surprising amount of grip when loading, but the material itself is slick enough to allow for a smooth launch. The biggest consideration is cost—they are significantly more expensive than carpet. But since they will likely outlast the trailer itself, many boaters see it as a "buy once, cry once" investment in ultimate protection and low maintenance.

Caliber Bunk Wraps for Ultimate Glide & Protection

If your primary goal is making launching and retrieving as effortless as possible, especially with a heavier boat, Caliber Bunk Wraps are the answer. These are low-friction polymer strips that install over your existing bunks (carpeted or bare). They create an incredibly slick surface that lets your boat glide on and off the trailer with minimal effort.

This is a specialized solution. While they make launching a breeze, you must be extra cautious. Your boat will slide easily, so the winch strap and safety chain must be secured before you even think about pulling up the ramp. These are ideal for drive-on trailers or for people who struggle to push their boat off at shallow launches. They offer fantastic hull protection but trade traditional grip for ultimate ease of movement.

Bunk Carpet Installation: Key Tips for Success

Choosing the right carpet is only half the battle; a poor installation will undermine even the best materials. Getting it right is simple if you follow a few key rules. First, use Monel or stainless steel staples. Regular staples will rust into dust in a single season, and your expensive new carpet will peel right off.

Second, stretch the carpet tight as you wrap it around the bunk. A loose installation will bunch up and wear out prematurely. Wrap the carpet so the seam is on the bottom of the bunk, away from the boat hull. For the ends, a simple "gift wrap" fold secured with a few extra staples is all you need. If you’re using adhesive in addition to staples, give it the full 24 hours to cure before getting it wet. A solid installation ensures your new carpet will perform as intended for years to come.

Ultimately, your trailer bunks are the foundation that supports your vessel. Choosing the right surface—whether it’s a standard carpet, a heavy-duty weave, or a modern synthetic wrap—is a critical decision for protecting your investment and ensuring every trip to the water starts and ends smoothly. Don’t treat it as an afterthought; treat it as essential equipment.