View Full Version : What to put down on the ally checker plate floor, Advice
johncar
19-09-2011, 07:31 AM
Hello, So I now have the Plate boat with bare ally checker plate floor. I was thinking about putting something down that is a bit softer and nicer on the families feet but easy to remove for cleaning, easy to deal with, quick drying, draining etc. I like to have a fish off shore as well so it needs to be suitable for that. Not keen on carpet.
I am leaning toward something like that tubular PVC matting I have seen others use, but have no experience with it.
I would appreciate any advice on this or other solutions and also where I can source the stuff at a reasonable price. I saw some 700mm wide tubular mat at Bunnings for about $46 per metre.
Thanks
finga
19-09-2011, 08:04 AM
Mate. I put that camping/gym matting/tiles with the holes down that you can get from all the camping shops and hardware shops.
4 of the 600x600mm tiles is about $20 if I remember.
They just link together. You can cut them to any shape you want.
Nice on the feet, easy to clean and easy to remove.
They even has little holes where you can store sinkers and Jaffa's.
And they comes in a few colurs.
I thought the tiles would blow out the boat whilst on the highway but have not yet. Probably because the smoko esky sits in the middle of the floor when travelling.
lucee81
19-09-2011, 08:46 AM
The matting tiles are only $12.00 for 4 at k -mart but only come in black at that price...
Couldnt see the quality being too different on rubber matting.
Lucas
rodneyk
19-09-2011, 02:51 PM
Hi Mate vinyl lite matting is the go can be bought from clark rubber fairly dear stuff but very good lots of pubs use it behind bars had it in my platey summer is a killer with alloy floors is availiable in colours and widths easy to clean also cheers Rod
Moonlighter
19-09-2011, 04:06 PM
I use the camping matting/tiles on the checkerplate floor on my Surtees and it works great, cheap as chips, easy to clean, plus has a bit of "give" which cushions the legs when standing all day. Some guys I know (usually Crusiecraft owners:-X)use 2 layers under the drivers and passenger's feet just for the bit extra cushioning.
The tubular mat is great but is actually quite heavy. I have 1 piece that came with the boat that is about 900wide and goes across the full width of the boat - I use it down the transom end to stand on when fishing. But to be honest, the square foam mats are just as good, and weigh a fifth, and are therefore easier to chuck out and wash off with the gurni.
Pick the right colour and they look quite acceptable too.
Cheers
ML
tunaticer
19-09-2011, 05:52 PM
I know a guy that has rubberised cork on his deck, been there for at least 5 yrs and still holding together fine. Would imagine he got it from ebay or similar as 2nds or something.
fairpractice
19-09-2011, 06:16 PM
Hi. had the "proper" grey rubber mat in a boat, cost about$400, was heavy as lead, and HOT in qld/n.t. sun. never agin, go the camping squares in a pale colour.
cheers john
johncar
19-09-2011, 06:32 PM
Thanks everyone, I never thought of those tiles but have bought them for other things, yes they are light and easy to deal with and cheap, might well be the go. All the PVC and rubber is heavy and the boat doesn't need ant more weight.
deckie
19-09-2011, 07:28 PM
Never liked that tubular stuff coz its tough on feet, especially barefeet. BUT..when at the Syd boat show recently next to the seadek guys there was an importer that had a similar tube matting but looked so much better. He's based in western syd is about all i can remember. Might be worth trying to track down coz really looked so much more practical and comfy than the old clark rubber type. Sorry cant remember distributors name.
You could try some regupol in a light colour, v heavy stuff but its weight might be enough to hold in place without gluing making it removeable.
If money isnt too tight you could opt for some Seadek or that thin 260 EVA foam dogbone pattern stuff with self adhesive backing. Got some on the trailer guards and makes me think it'd be the best decking ever. Neither are removeable tho but damn comfy and would look schmick.
johncar
19-09-2011, 07:43 PM
Thanks deckie, thanks very much for the tips there, I will check them all out. yeah I definitely want a removable solution so I can keep the original floor clean and pristeen :)
Smithy
20-09-2011, 09:54 PM
Was always going to go Vibrarib tubular rubber matting stuff in the Stabi but never did as I was worried about the weight of it. They all recommended it as it was the solid one and the hollow ones were suppossed to stink. Thought about the camping tiles a fair bit too but just stuck with the plain checker plate and it was fine, easy to clean and if it got hot I put a bucket of water over it to cool things down.
MyWay
20-09-2011, 10:11 PM
I got this in my boat on checker plate, it is good so far
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