Yacht Decking - Synthetic Marine Decking

[Papabrer]

I am considering having my boat deck & bow area covered with synthetic marine decking material. I would love to get some opinions on the good or bad of this decision. I know that it looks great and I would like the appearance much better than my 30 year old fiberglass.

I am just not sure of the long term benefit of spending the $$. Please let me know if there’s a string dealing with this issue or if anyone has any insight.

Thanks very much

 

[Golfman25]

IMO, it can look nice in the cockpit. But ugly as all hell on the bow deck.

 

[Stee6043]

I'd vote "nope" for the bow and deck areas.

This is what it looks like if/when it needs to come off and get replaced.

 

[Papabrer]

Thanks for the initial info, couple of questions;

Stee6043 - how many years has that been on the boat?​

SKybolt - FYI, thanks but that link is to a string for windows, not decking​

 

[Riptide III]

The deck has been 8 or 9 years. It needs to be replaced next year.
This is the first year with the forward section. No more muddy footprints from the dew when you walk up there in the morning. We love it

 

[Stee6043]

Thanks for the initial info, couple of questions;

Stee6043 - how many years has that been on the boat?​

SKybolt - FYI, thanks but that link is to a string for windows, not decking​

My generic brand EVA foam decking lasted 5 years...

 

[Papabrer]

The deck has been 8 or 9 years. It needs to be replaced next year.
This is the first year with the forward section. No more muddy footprints from the dew when you walk up there in the morning. We love it

Looks great thanks for the reply

 

[Jus Cruisin]

The base Chris Craft Catalina center console uses synthetic teak on the bow and swim platform. The upgraded models use real teak.

 

[Richard Carlisle]

EVA foam is cheap and easy. Woven synthetic snap in’s are better but very pricey. If you can’t tell, I’m on the fence.

 

[ocgrant]

I like the woven snap in's myself. I have the EVA in both my dinghys and it wears poorly in my opinion. Cheap to replace in a dinghy though. My neighbor just had his yacht done in EVA and the neighborhood cats destroyed it in one night. Glad i keep covers on my dinghys....

 

[Richard Carlisle]

I like the woven snap in's myself. ..

My preference as well, but the material is sooooo expensive. I can bind it myself but looking at around $800 just for materials to just do the rear cockpit.

 

[hynespa]

I like the decking - but boy does it get hot in the sun! I need to spray water on it periodically to avoid burning our feed when barefoot.

 

[Skybolt]

@SKybolt - FYI, thanks but that link is to a string for windows, not decking

Sorry, I posted in the wrong thread. Deleted my post. My bad.

 

[Yendor]

Hynespa,
Please state specifically what decking it is that you're referring too.
I'm sure we'd all want to avoid it, but you didn't say what flavor it is that you have.

 

[Skybolt]

Plas Teak, C-Deck and even the woven all get super hot in the sun. I have woven Sea Grass (woven) in the back of my cockpit and have to spray that down to walk on in bare feet.

 

[Yendor]

Thanks, Skybolt. I didn't realize that.

 

[Almightys]

You can buy synthetic weave remnants rolls from site sponsor Corinthian on the cheap. Cut it to size. Could even use your old carpet as general pattern. Cut to fit, bring to a carpet binder 3 miles on shore who doesn’t charge marine prices. Done. Did this on my 500. Whole cockpit done for 750. I bought the stuff with felt backing.

 

[Papabrer]

Great information, again thanks all, I am planning to update cockpit and perimeter of bow come January

 

[Scott215]

That is awesome, do they make that in snap on if you have pattern

 

[jmauld]

I am considering having my boat deck & bow area covered with synthetic marine decking material. I would love to get some opinions on the good or bad of this decision. I know that it looks great and I would like the appearance much better than my 30 year old fiberglass.

I am just not sure of the long term benefit of spending the $$. Please let me know if there’s a string dealing with this issue or if anyone has any insight.

Thanks very much

The “long” term benefit is you will be spending a few weekends scraping it off after the sun rots it. I have a small mat on my fishing boat and it gets so hot that you can’t stand on it.

IF I were to do it, I would use snaps to hold it in place instead of sticking it to the floor.