There are about 49.81 million fishermen and anglers in the United States. And of the 9% of Americans currently considering taking up fishing, 38% are interested in fishing as a form of stress release, according to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the Outdoor Foundation report. But whether you own a boat and are a seasoned fishermen, or you’re a beginner who’s still learning the ropes, you’ll have to take proper care of your boat in order to optimize its efficiency and safety. One important aspect of boat maintenance when it comes to angling is ensuring the boat maintains a solid and non-skid surface to provide as much safety as possible. Here are just a few tips for choosing the right non-skid flooring for your fishing boat.
Marine Grade Carpet
Marine carpet for boats is designed with stability in mind, giving it a place right in the middle of the non-skid flooring scale. Plus, unlike other boat flooring options, water will not damage or deteriorate the non-skid qualities of marine carpet for boats. However, marine carpets can sometimes hold in water longer and take longer to dry, which may increase the risk for a fall in another area of the boat.
Teak
When selected and installed with the grain going parallel from the ramp, untreated teak can typically provide superior traction over some fiberglass options. A substantial amount of the water will run off, but the wood may remain relatively damp and decrease traction for the short term.
“When completely dry, teak lives up to its old-school reputation for grip. However, when traversing a damp deck in the same direction as the grain, you can’t count on the same traction. Even when wet, teak offers the same degree of traction as either fiberglass nonskid,” writes Jim Hendricks on Boating Mag.
Ultimately, understanding the many different options for boat flooring is the best way to find the one that best meets your needs, especially when it comes to needing a safe and reliable non-skid surface on which to enjoy your angling adventures. For more information about non-skid flooring for boats, contact Corinthian Marine.