Dri-Deck

[ramos]

Thinking about installing Dri-Deck in cockpit and center aisle of 16 Cruiser for impact protection and drier feet when fishing, swimming, etc. I figure I can buy it for $125.00 plus shipping from the factory. Would like to hear from those C-brats who are, or have, used this product. Also, thinking about purchasing a West Marine mini dinghy. On sale right now for $130.00. Obviously, it would only be used for short trips to shore. The size and weight (22lbs) are attractive to a 16 owner. Input appreciated.

[cpt vic]

don't have any experience with the decking but we do have the mini dingy...have had ours for a few years now. we have a dog so of course need to get to shore whether or not we can anchor close enough for her to swim in so to prevent toenail punctures we put rubber mat on the floor like the ones at entry ways with the rough fibers on the one side, this has been good. only recently we've put it on the roof till the weekend is done if we're cruising around tokeep it out of the way, that seems to be ok although don't know how much space you'd have on top, it stores otherwise deflated and in its bag under port seat compartment. would love to have a "real" dingy but this has been working fine for close by shorelines without the hassle of motor storage and of course the price.

[Albie Back]

I have the entire cockpit and between the fuel tanks lined with dri-dek. Easy to install, easy to clean, and we dont get enough water in the cockpit for our feet to get wet. They also have a variety of colors to match your boat trim.
Only draw back I have with it so far is when its hot outside, and the sun has been shining on it, the dri-dek gets hot and loses some of its firmness. The good thing is that although the product gets soft, it doesnt become sticky. The firmness comes back after the dri-dek has cooled.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Hi Jon,

We have Dri Deck on our boat. It does a good job of keeping your feet out of the wet, but also is a bit harsh on bare feet, plus gets squishy when hot. Bottom line is that I would do it again... It works.

Steve

[CAVU]

My experience with Dri-Deck was not so positive. It all depends on how you use your boat. I do a lot fishing from my 22 and in cold weather the Dri-Deck becomes hard and stiff. The small nubs on the underside of the Dri-Deck do not offer a lot contact area between the floor and the decking. When fishing and bending over the side to operate downriggers or net fish the Dri-Deck can slip or slide under your feet. At least that was my experience with it. I still have it in the cabin and like it. I made floorboards for the cockpit and have been happy with them.

[ffheap]

Hi Folks,

I put DriDek in my cockpit and under my aft seat and engine box. It allows the water to go aft ad collect in the sump. Plus that, it looks good. I have no problem walking on it barefoot.

The only problem which is really not much is that in the summer, the dark green DrDek that I used gets a little "mushy" in direct sun light.

If you don't care about looks, you can find industrial products that will do the same thing for less money.

Fred

[Sea Wolf]

The solution to the "mushy" feeling of DrI-Deck in warm weather and the "knobbiness" and slipping as well, is to lay it over a layer of indoor-outdoor carpeting.

The carpeting softens the knobiness out of it, stops it from slipping, and when it gets really hot, and the Dri-Deck starts to get mushy, you just wet the carpet, and the evaporation cools the Dri-Deck down and keeps it firm. (Usually coming aboard wet from swimming gets the carpet wet enough so you don't have to use a bucket.)

The only negative aspects of this are that it's harder to wash down the floor with the carpet under the Dri-Deck, and you have to pay both for the Dri-Deck and carpeting.

Blue Dri-Deck over Red carpeting looks very good, too, as would other color combinations.

Joe.

[marco422]

I have Dri-Dek in my cockpit and center aisle and have been very pleased with it, though, as others point out, it is harder on the knees and bare feet. I especially like the way water drains easily towards the stern and that you are never left standing in water. Canada doesn't usually get hot enough to cause the "mushiness" problem. :)

I have a cheaper version in the storage areas under the seats and berth and find that it "melts" and starts to stick to the hull.

As far as the dinghy goes, I have the West Marine mini dinghy and, though I haven't used it a lot, I think it is a great fit with the 16 size-wise. I replaced the foot pump (there just isn't room to operate it on the 16) with the WM battery powered inflator. It has enough juice to inflate and deflate the dinghy once. Underway, I simply deflate the center compartment (leaving the floor and side compartments fully inflated) and sort of fold the dinghy and tie it sideways against the frame of my camperback across the motor well. Works really well as I can still see astern and launching only takes a few minutes after I reinflate the one compartment. I found the mini dinghy is nearly impossible to tow astern at any reasonable speed.

For short hops it works well and I use the supplied oars as spare propulsion for my boat, instead of extra paddles.

[Big dave]

Don't want to hijack your thread, but I have a Mini Dingy from West Marine that I will sell you cheap, New condition with a couple of pumps.
Big Dave.
Raven Dancer.

[Fishhawk]

Osprey had Dri-Dek on the cockpit floor and twixt the fuel tanks when we bought her. As others have said, we have thought it to be rather uncomfortable on bare feet. Up north we hadn't noticed the squishiness when hot probably because it was never really hot. Will see how it is now in the south.

The most annoying problem that Dri-Dek brings to us is that if you drop a multi- hooked fishing lure on it like any of the stickbaits, you might be a while getting it unstuck. That is when you will also notice that it is hard on your knees.

The stuff doesn't bother us enough to take it out yet, however, if we find something we like better and a Brat with a blue 22 cruiser is looking for some at half price, they will be havin it!

Dan

[lloyds]

I have the dri-deck and it is great. I tried some other things, like the thick mats meant for working at machinery. Black, about 7/8" thick. They were great too, but the black came off on everything it touched including your skin so I went back to the dri deck. Before I added the camper cover water between the seats was always a problem, but with the camper cover that is over.

[dotnmarty]

Dri Deck in white reflects the heat better than the colored stuff and thus resists the "mushiness"' better.

[ramos]

Thank you to you all, for sharing your' first hand experiences. We definately get our share of hot weather in the summer here. I'am thinking I will give it a try unless something new pops up. Big Dave: I sent you a PM. Would like to see if we can make a deal.

[rogerbum]

See if your local Home Depot carries "Multy Tiles" (yes that the way the product name is spelled). It's a black tiled flooring that is similar to dri-deck but at about 1/5 the cost. It's a lot softer on the feet and a little less thick than dri-deck but essentially does the same thing. I think it was designed to be used in locker rooms or for door mats. If you do a google search, you can find it online.

[Grumpy]

Roger, when I typed in "Multy Tiles" the supe smart Home Depot website "corrected" my spelling and gave me standard floor tiling
Merv