MacGregorSailors.com

Has anybody ever tried any of this fancy stuff outside or inside the boat?

http://www.myboatsgear.com/featured_pro ... ecking.asp
http://www.plasdeck.com/

Opinions are welcome, Cheers, Albert, s/v Madelon

A couple of years ago I had a vendor in MI do a custom weave for my cockpit floor using strips of this (or something similar). It looks good and has held up well, but it's rather hot on bare feet. Seems to really hold the sun's heat.

Most of those are a type of PVC.. When you add color to PVC and then subject it to the sun? You can get a super heated surface..OUCH! Like walking across an asphalt parking lot in bare feet..Do you care about that? Are you barefoot on your boat a lot? The cork is an alternative but it may not last as long? I dont know anyone , with a plastic deck, one thats in the sun a lot, ( pool decks and boat docks) who walks on it bare foot.. thats still happy with their choice of materials..and those all were $$$$$$$$$.... Plastic last longer than wood, its a fact... however...it gets a lot hotter than even teak and teak ....can get hot..and its cost ( PVC / Plastic / Petroleum/ Oil ) is getting prohibitive.. The PVC Deck wood is now so expensive that many in Florida are Pouring Cement docks which last a very long time..... for literary only a few dollars more per sq ft...I am sure that price increase is reflected in this product as well.
Its Major Appeal is its impression that its DIY friendly.. But remember all those photos of floors and decks, were done by professionals!! Think about it and IMHO..... be honest with yourself about your abilities and what you expect as a final outcome.. I see some pretty shoddy looking work around.. Everywhere.. some people are a lot " Handier" than others... there are a few no less than nasty looking mods, in our mods section and some of those guys are in fact proud what what they did I assume or they wouldn't have posted ( proof ) pictures of it.. I am no perfectionist BUT... I know it.. Remember to be honest with yourself and.... I will say this ... MANY seem not to be....Besides that...
A Poorly done DIY job??? Does Not Increase The Value of ANYTHING... Most often it will decrease it.. Allow me to re-word that......
A Modification made to anything even with the look of a professional application may not enhance its value.. But for sure...... an amateur looking anything will decrease its value or "maybe " even make it unsaleable or only suited to the bargain basement ...

Extra weight for nothing. A good cleaning makes the boat look better than all the stuff you could decorate it with. Speaking of that, I should try my own advice...

Rob

Excellent c and very practical comments. Thanx a lot guys!

Albert