Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Cockpit upgrades

Wow, it's been a while. Sailing season does that.

Here's what I've been doing...
Soft Deck makes an EVA foam pad non-skid, it's 1/4 inch thick, soft underfoot, doesn't heat up and according to Practical Sailor is actually better than traditional non-skid for not slipping, easier on skin, knees, buts, and such.
I got two large (47 x 84 inch) sheets of the straight cut grey, cut them up and stuck them down. You have to ask for sheets this large, the web site doesn't list them.

The good news is the stuff cuts and shapes easily - even my wifes rotary cutter (think pizza cutter) for sewing slices right through.
The bad news is what that might spell for the longevity of the product.

Here's the pictures.

The center hatch is running against the 'grain' on purpose - call me a rebel, call me artistic.
Someday I'm going to work up the courage to either bevel or round the corners with a finger plane.

105 bucks a sheet, took me 1.5 sheets with no piecing. My cockpit sole is 48 x 86 inches.