Boats need nonslip surfaces. Decks get wet, people walk on them, and without the proper surface underfoot, somebody can end up taking a potentially dangerous header.
Products have come and gone over the years that try to create these nonslip surfaces in ways that are visually pleasing. Suffice it to say, the results have been hit-or-miss, especially in the aesthetics and easy-to-clean departments.
SeaDek is working with boatbuilders to solve this problem. The company’s partners include Sea Ray, Regal, Everglades, Cruisers Yachts and Boston Whaler. Patrick Industries—which makes and distributes components that boatbuilders use—acquired SeaDek’s parent company in 2021.
The breakthrough idea at SeaDek, according to Andy Nemeth, president and CEO of Patrick Industries, is to use blended foam material to create “a safe, durable and comfortable alternative to traditional marine and specialty market flooring products.”
That blended foam material is called closed-cell PE/EVA foam. It’s lightweight, which means it doesn’t affect boat performance. It’s UV-resistant, which makes it a good choice in tropical locations. It’s durable, which materials need to be in the marine environment. And it’s insulated with sealed air pockets, which prevents water intrusion.
SeaDek takes those properties and produces peel-and-stick boat flooring that can be installed faster than traditional nonslip. It also can be customized with textures, colors, thicknesses, patterns, logos and graphics—some fishermen have a ruler engraved so that it’s easier to measure the size of their catch. SeaDek is comfortable to stand or walk on, and it absorbs shock, which helps to decrease boater fatigue. Its properties also help to reduce noise, and to protect the boat’s surfaces from scratches, chips and dents.
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All of that might sound like a new miracle product, but in actuality, this material has been used in other ways for years. It’s also in building insulation, footwear, and sports equipment such as helmets and padding. In packages, it can be used as product cushioning. Some vehicles have it in the floor mats, sun visors and more. It might even be in your shoes.
The way that SeaDek is using this material, it can be installed on new boats as well as aftermarket. For some models built by Chaparral, Malibu, Sea Ray and Yamaha, SeaDek sells pre-cut kits ready to be personalized by color and other options. Custom orders are available for other boat brands and models.
The SeaDek team is urging boatbuilders to think creatively for the future too: “Have an idea for something that’s never been done? We love challenges and will work together to make it happen.”
