We're doing a lot more cruising with other people, lately, so find ourselves rafting more frequently and also on the dock (directly or indirectly) more frequently. That means a lot more foot traffic. So, keeping our sidedecks clean is kind of a hassle - especially when you add a dog to the mix who refuses to wipe his feet. So, I've been thinking about custom-cutting some boarding mats to go approximately where outlined in red below.
My criteria are (aside from the obvious like good traction) are:
My criteria are (aside from the obvious like good traction) are:
- Can be cut to size/shape with no ratty edges.
- Relatively low bulk, since these will be rolled up and stored most of the time.
- Good drainage. The sidedecks have scuppers in addition to the gaps in the rails. This zone is where most of the water runs down and drains out. Ideally, the mat acts as a filter for dog hair, grass, etc. that would otherwise clog the scuppers, rather than something that inhibits drainage.
- Does a reasonable job of cleaning dirt off of shoes. We occasionally throw down a towel, which excels at this task, but isn't a good long-term solution.
