One of the questions we get more than any other is how we actually get SeaDek to fit a boat that well. The honest answer is that the fit is decided before we ever cut a piece of foam. It all comes down to the template.
Why the template is the whole job
SeaDek is only as good as the measurements behind it. If a pad is off by a little around a hatch lid or a drain, you see it every time you walk on the boat, and gaps are where dirt and water collect. Every boat is a little different too, even two of the same model from the same year. Factory molds shift, previous owners add hardware, and older boats settle. So we measure your actual boat, not a drawing of what it should be.
The old way: paper and plastic
For a long time templating meant laying clear plastic or paper on the deck and tracing every edge by hand with a marker. It works, and plenty of shops still do it, but it takes a long time on a big deck, the material shifts in the wind and the sun, and every trace has a little human error in it. Those small errors add up across a full deck.
How we do it now
We use photogrammetry. That sounds complicated but the idea is simple. We set measurement targets around the deck and take a series of photos from different angles. Software uses those photos to calculate the exact shape and size of every surface, edge, hatch and piece of hardware. We end up with a digital outline of your deck that we can work with on the computer.
It is quicker at the boat, it is not affected by wind or heat, and we keep the file. That last part matters more than people think. If you want to add a helm pad or a cooler top next year, or you damage a piece down the road, we already have your boat on file and can cut a matching piece without coming back out to measure.
From measurements to a design
Once we have the outline we lay out the design in CAD. This is where you pick colors, thickness, brushed or embossed texture, and any extras like pinline routes, teak lines or a logo. We decide where the seams go so they look clean and line up with the boat. Then we send you a digital proof. Nothing gets cut until you have seen it and said yes.
The Maverick HPX 18 in Vero Beach is a good example. That tarpon scale pattern was drawn in CAD and cut exactly to that boat.
Cutting and install
After you approve the proof we cut every piece on our CNC so each one comes out the same as the file. Then we come back to your dock, lift or marina, clean and prep the deck, and install it. Most installs take a day or less depending on the size of the job.
What to do before we come out
Give the deck a rinse so we can see the surface, make sure we can open any hatches we are covering, and let us know if the boat will be on a lift, a trailer or in the water. That is really it.
Outside our service area?
If you are not near us you can still get a custom fit. We have a template service where you trace your deck with our instructions and ship the templates to us. We cut the pads and send them back ready to install. You can read more about installing SeaDek yourself or see where we work.
If you want a price on your boat just send us your make, model and year and what areas you want covered. Get a free quote or call 321-506-1626.
Leave a Reply