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Newport 16 ... project finished.. looking for cheap option for the cockpit nonslip area. Want to know if I can use yoga mats...and cut it for my boat shape.Any advice will be good. Hydro turf too expensive. Thanks
IF yer talking about the closed cell (?) thin mats generally used for exercise; I believe they *may* become soggy, or at least trap water under. Ya might try ta find some of those that have a series of holes; like fatigue mats used on concrete floors?
I wonder if some of that lattice vinyl from the Big Box stores could be coated with a rubber dip compound? Might not need the comp. 'cause it's already wood grain-ey on the surface.
Just a thought......
IF yer talking about the closed cell (?) thin mats generally used for exercise; I believe they *may* become soggy, or at least trap water under. ......
Closed cell material will not absorb water.. that's the "closed cell" feature - it's like a bunch of balloons bonded together, not like open cell sponge-like material.
However gluing such material down may eventually trap moisture underneath and it could be a real mess to deal with later. There is (expensive) product like treadmaster that's meant for that sort of thingn but eventually it will break down from UV and look like crap. I'd be really reluctant to do that you your nicely finished project.
Perhaps some of the drop-in interlocking rubber tile material could work.
Saw some very nice teak slat floors at the US Sailboat show this year. With your skill and relatively small cockpit area you might consider fabricating your own.
I would suggest that you paint all the flat areas with a non-skid paint Like Kiwi grip or the like as the foredeck, cabin top and cockpit will be very slippery on the new gelcoat. don"t see why you need a mat in a 16 foot boat. teak would look nice but would double the price of the rebuild
I would second the teak grate idea. Mine have worked well for 20 years, good grip, drain water well, and if sized to fit do not need to be attached to the hull. Once a year I pull them out, scrub off with a stiff brush and re oil.
I tried hot yoga last Jan ($40 all you can stand # of sessions for a month). In hot yoga the room is 95F+ and you sweat like the proverbial pig. I can vouch that my yoga mat had to be hung up to dry at home or it would still be damp the next day. Rolling it up and placing in my car trunk without first drying meant that it was frozen the next day.
Do not use a yoga mat IMHO.
(unless of course you are in a room with a bunch of sweaty people wearing LuLulemon
Yoga mat, often something like ensolite. Not designed for UV or abrasion resistance, really, and I doubt it would hold up on a boat.
Some of the best cockpit padding is simply cheap throwable square PFD cushions or similar gardening knee pads.
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