A lot of people ask us if SeaDek is really any different from Gator Step, DEKit, Marine Mat or the cheaper foam you see online. Fair question. We only install SeaDek, so take that into account, but here’s our straight answer.
They’re all EVA foam
Pretty much every brand of marine foam flooring is some blend of EVA and PE closed-cell foam with a peel-and-stick adhesive on the back. They all give you grip when it’s wet and a softer feel underfoot. So if someone tells you one brand is a totally different product, be skeptical.
One thing people often assume is that foam is always cooler than a bare gelcoat deck. It isn’t. How hot it gets in the sun comes down mostly to the color you pick, whatever the brand. Lighter colors stay cooler, darker colors can get hot, so if heat matters to you, go lighter.
The real differences between brands come down to the details. How consistent the foam is from sheet to sheet, how the colors and texture hold up after a few years of Florida sun, how good the adhesive is, and who is standing behind it if something goes wrong.
SeaDek
SeaDek has been around since the early 2000s and is made right here in Florida. It’s the brand a lot of boat builders put on from the factory, and it’s what most people picture when they think of foam decking. They have a big range of colors, brushed and embossed textures, and a certified installer program. The material carries a 5-year warranty.
The reason we stick with it is simple. After years of installs we know how it cuts, how it bonds and how it holds up, and we’ve seen jobs that are still looking good years later. When a customer has an issue we know exactly how it’s going to be handled.
Gator Step
Gator Step is another EVA/PE foam that you’ll see a lot, especially on wake and ski boats. Plenty of boats have it and plenty of owners are happy with it. The biggest difference from a buyer’s point of view is that it’s a different network of dealers and installers, so how good your job turns out has a lot to do with who does it.
DEKit
DEKit is a newer brand, started in 2016. They offer several different product lines, custom fabrication through dealers and DIY sheets, and they advertise a 3-year warranty on their foam. Like the others, the quality of the finished job depends a lot on the shop doing the templating and cutting.
Marine Mat, cheap online foam and everything else
There are a lot of other brands out there, plus generic foam sheets on Amazon. Some are fine for a cooler top or a small step pad. Where we see problems is with no-name foam on a full deck. The color can fade unevenly, the adhesive may not hold up in the heat, and there is usually nobody to call when a corner starts lifting.
What actually matters more than the brand
Honestly, the brand matters less than the install. The best foam in the world will look bad if the template is off, the seams are in the wrong place or the deck wasn’t prepped right. Before you pick anybody, ask them:
- How do you measure the boat? Hand-traced or digital?
- Will I see a design proof before anything is cut?
- Who handles it if a piece lifts or doesn’t fit?
- Can I see photos of boats you’ve done?
If you want to know how we handle all that, here’s how we template a boat. You can also see what goes into SeaDek pricing and look through our colors and textures.
If you’re trying to decide, send us your boat and what you want covered and we’ll give you a real price and an honest answer. Get a free quote or call 321-506-1626.
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