Non Slip matting on the Swim Platform

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Mar 01, 2009 8:32 pm Post subject: Non Slip matting on the Swim Platform

I have been having issues with my swim platform not providing any traction when boarding up or even sitting on the back.
I just have a fiberglass platform and its slick as crap and it probably has the best intentions in mind, but doesnt work well for its purpose. I have been looking around and trying to find people that had this stuff..
I wanted to post this up here just incase other people may have had the same questions I did and thoughts about creating their own non slip platform pads
We took a plastic sheet and traced the outline of the platform and then cut it out. I went to Sears and found this Anti Fatigue flooring called Best-Step (in the toolbox section)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00962361000P?adCell=A3
It has the diamond plated look on top and is soft but also water resistant and about 3/8" thick. Before cutting we tested it by pouring water on there and walking on it to see how it reacted. It still had great traction. I cut it into 5 separate pieces and created water channel flows for water runoff. We havent applied it yet, just kinda did a form fit today after cutting and trimming. I am going to try with 3M double sided tape and use a roller pin to make sure it stays put. I've noticed that alot of the people that manufacture this use the 3M tape .If it doesn't work I figured I would try some type of adhesive that doesnt eat the fiberglass or the mat. I found some Loc-Tite adhesive for Tubs and figured that might work as its the same basic idea, applying adhesive to fiberglass tubs for things such as slip mats lol.
I wanted to post pictures of what we have so far and hopefully it will hold up well. It looks like a night and day difference, Wish I had a before shot.

Thoughts, suggestions?

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Mar 07, 2009 5:53 am Post subject:

Well, Finally got it on there and double stick taped down. Cleaned off the platform with alcohol and the back of the matting with it too. Found some double stick duck tape and laid it on the platform after warming it up with a heat lamp so the glue was stickier, roller pinned it, then laid the material down and roller pinned it . After that started walking on it and pushed any remaining air out and it definitely isnt anywhere as slippery as before It's also softer on your feet instead of the hard fiberglass. Let me know what you think

get_sum · Soul Rider Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 390 City: Choctaw

Q4 or Q6? I think mine is a little slick at times as well. How long did it take you from start to finish? I think it looks great. Did you try to find anything similar in yellow on the internet? What was the total cost?

midwestrider30 · Newbie Joined: 29 Aug 2008 Posts: 47 City: north korea

Wow, that looks great! Nice job.

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Mar 07, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject:

Get_sum --Its a Q6, I had been searching for about 3 months trying to find something that would work as this intended and I came down to hyrdoturf, Sano and gatorgrip. It looked like for the space i needed was going to cost around 160ish. It took from start to finish I would say about 4 hours and cost including the double stick tape was $30 (2 roll of double stick tape @ 5 each and the matting was 20 but on sale at sears, of course a week after I buy it, for $10.) I'm going to get another pack just incase I have issues. or if one rips etc, I can just cut another. I kept the layout plastic sheet for reference in the future.
It actually doesnt offset too bad with the color, it looks factory!
Thanks midwestrider, it turned out really good at the end...I was skeptical at the beginning but we made all the pieces even space and they work great!

m_lesney · Soul Rider Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 358 City: Austin

That looks awesome!

flixmaster · Site Owner Joined: 30 Oct 2003 Posts: 7123

that does look good. great job.

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 8430 City: Edmond

Great job...that looks really nice and really comfy. Keep us posted on how it holds up.

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Mar 09, 2009 7:20 am Post subject:

thanks everybody for the comments, I was wiring up for the tunes this weekend so sorry to just now get back to you. I will let you know how it holds up, but I think it should do pretty well, it is a lot more comfy and softer than before...I was jumping and landing on the back of the boat yesterday when getting in and out from grabbing tools and wires and it didn't flinch and that was me moving kinda sideways on it when I jumped...holding up well so far, keeping fingers crossed....

WakeMikey · Addict Joined: 29 Mar 2008 Posts: 640 City: Fridley

NKCrider · Posted: Mar 09, 2009 3:16 pm Post subject:

SilverMustang35, do they sell it in different thicknesses?

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Mar 09, 2009 5:53 pm Post subject:

Hey Nk Rider, from what I have seen, no they do not sell it in different thicknesses...it looks like it is just a pack from Sears but there website is www.venture-products.com ...looks like they sell anti fatigue materials for all uses...I went over again today and jumped on and off it a couple times due to the stereo install and it still looks new and hasn't budged...

NKCrider · Posted: Mar 10, 2009 10:39 am Post subject:

SilverMustang35, was just wonderin, was thinking of putting some on the gunwales, since the teak step plate has a tower going over it...

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Mar 10, 2009 10:41 am Post subject:

how thick were you thinking of getting it? if you're thinking less thick, sears has the non slip matting that is for the insides of tool boxes with similiar design. Something to look at maybe. If you're wanting thicker, im not really sure.

NKCrider · Posted: Mar 10, 2009 10:53 am Post subject:

SilverMustang35 i was thinking like less than a 1/4 in. ill probably look at that tool box stuff. design could really care less to me. on my boat since its older, functionality is over looks

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Mar 10, 2009 11:01 am Post subject:

Yeah, if you are looking at less than 1/4 they should have that. I used double sided duck tape (walmart, at least here, lowes doesnt carry it) and it looks like it will be rough to remove...which is a good thing...I looked at the type you are looking for and went to this for the platform...Good luck and let me know if you do find it and how it turns out!

HHI Dave · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 12:53 pm Post subject:

Man, this is exactly what I've been looking for for the back of my Tahoe. Nice job on the cutting, looks like a factory job.

One thing that concerns me though is the double sided tape. I'm sure its holding firmly now, but what about after a season of being in the water and having riders/boards on and off the platform? I'm thinking adhesive may be a better way to go, especially for us saltwater riders. Thoughts?

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

I was wondering if you would find out about me doing this HHI Dave! LOL...I tried to cut as best I could to get it all settled in and factory look. I rode on it 2 weeks ago and it did great. It doesnt move and I think it may work pretty well. I used the same type of double sided tape that the other ones use. When I talked with a local wake shop they said that their mats they order are double side tape like this as well. I just made sure to clean the surfaces and heat the glue up well and then applied it on and roller pinned it. My other part was that if a section tears, it will be easier to clean and replace since I saved the templates rather than cleaning the adhesive. In saltwater you may just wanna try it, honestly for the price, I could make 5 of these and come almost close to spending it on the other stuff. I just figured versatility of being hot swappable if something were to rip, discolor etc.. As far as boards on and off the platform, it worked great, didnt cut into the mat, didnt move the mat, and I didn't bust my butt off the back..lol ..the pic is 2 weeks ago, water was 58 so my gf was pouring hot water down the suit to warm it up before the lake water got me..lol, but as you can see i was actually able to stand up on the back LOL

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 8430 City: Edmond

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject:

HAHA, it wasnt too terrible once I got in. I think the suit is only a 2/3 tho so it could be better...We just had snow a couple days before, decent weather, air was about 65 and then we had snow the next 3 days lol...gotta love april weather..

Marshall · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 5:58 pm Post subject:

SilverMustang35, Thats a nice looking boat,what year is it?

Sinkoumn · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 7:49 pm Post subject:

Great work on the platform! Looks sick

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject:

Marshall, thanks, its an 08, its gettin there with all the things I want it to be and sound like Smile

Sinkoumn, thanks I appreciate it. I have enjoyed it so far, night and day difference for sure.

Marshall · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 9:32 pm Post subject:

SilverMustang35, what boat did you used to have?

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 9:35 pm Post subject:

LOL, I had a 1973 Starcraft Holiday. It was a big POS. Bought it for 1200 and put 1400 into the engine and outdrive. Sold it for 1100 with a lifter valve issue, bad floor and bad seats. I owned it for about 4 months and decided I wanted something quality and with a warranty, got this one and it has a 7 year extended warranty, so def. a step in a good direction Smile

Marshall · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 9:41 pm Post subject:

SilverMustang35, definetley a step up,inboard motors FTW

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 9:43 pm Post subject:

Yup, in time though. I bought this one with intentions of about 5 percent wakeboarding and then realized that I am addicted, but Im shaping this one and making it work for me till I can look at getting a Super Air 220 Smile

Marshall · Posted: Apr 17, 2009 9:48 pm Post subject:

Natiques are awesome Very Happy

kartman · Posted: Apr 18, 2009 5:04 am Post subject:

nice job. i would of never thought of using that. bet it works out great!!!

Okie Boarder · Ladies Man Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 8430 City: Edmond

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 19, 2009 6:44 pm Post subject:

We went out again yesterday. Had a rash gaurd on, the full suit and a set of Jetpilot Skuffy's. Made it a little more bearable since water was still cold...Mat does GREAT! no slipping no movement and tons of traction. That double stick and the non slip mat is holding up great and looks awesome....Think this is a winner so far...lol...Had to throw up the pic of the sacs in the boat, 700 is sitting in the locker too..lol

Marshall · Posted: Apr 19, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject:

SilverMustang35, wetsuit AND a rashguard,you must be cold

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 20, 2009 6:35 am Post subject:

Marshall, nah, I over prepared. I couldn't find my wetsuit at first so I threw on the rash guard. Finally found it in the locker, forgot I put it in there and said eh might as well keep it on. I was hot with both of those on...Prolly should have just run the suit...It felt good to let go and sink into the water cause I was sweatin...Even getting back onto the platform on the deck was nicer though, didn't slide right back off haha...

jryan15 · Newbie Joined: 20 Jul 2008 Posts: 23

how bout some pictures of the wake? Very Happy

SilverMustang35 · Posted: Apr 21, 2009 7:54 pm Post subject:

LOL....we will try soon for some with it weighed down...It was just me and the driver so it was hard for him to take pics and drive and I didn't have my camera charged in the waterproof case...maybe this weekend! Smile