Alternatives to vinyl for engine hatch?

[Sbt3]

My engine hatch cover is getting pretty beat up on my 97 super sport. I got a price for a new skin but I was wondering if anyone had any other options or ideas to replace it. I was thinking teak or some kind of foam? It just seems that vinyl isn't the best solution for that since it's constantly being walked on and having boards and stuff set on it. If anyone has done something different and has pictures please post them.

Thanks
Stan

[NautiqueJeff]

I am pretty sure I have seen a boat where all of the rear hatch doors had been replaced with teak. It actually looked really good, I thought.

[Rick]

Teak or a Sunbrella cover

I believe several people with dogs on the site have had Sunbrella covers made to fit over the vinyl to protect them. Having said that I think a Teak deck would look really good if kept up.

[steve-o]

I had mine redone with heavy vinyl and all the seams removed. Mine had problems with the seams. Looks good. It cost considerably less than a skin.

[hourglass]

i don't know if they are still open, but primal seat covers makes removable covers for every seat in the boat including engine hatch. i'd like to take my pad off and just lay down a big sheet of sano

[Sbt3]

Thanks for the replies. I wish I was a little better with wood working and I would try the teak thing. I'm more of a mechanical guy so I'm not sure how well it would turn out for me. Plus I'd like to a picture of it done first to know if I'd like it. I'll probably just end up putting vinyl back on it this fall.

[bmh2208]

We made some temporary covers out of thick terry cloth material. Out rear deck is trashed. They worked well but were faded after only a weekend. In order to keep them nice and new looking you would have to take them off everytime and dry them. That would be a pain in the a$$.

The primal ones, I can imagine would be just about as much as a pain too. Would work well temporarily but end the end you'll probably wish you would have sprung for new skins. Have you talked to copycat covers? You just take off your old vinyl and send in and they send you back new skins. If your mechanical, you could easily replace those yourself.

I realy like the teak idea. Would look freaking awesome. The only drawback I see is that it wont be soft to lay on.

[tdc_worm]

couple things to consider:

the padding, aside from being soft also serves to insulate the sun deck from engine heat and noise...sound travels faster through denser materials...

teak requires oiling to maintain its color. that oil is often tracked from the teak to the interior of the boat, and helps dirt and grime stick to the interior upholstery. by teaking the sun deck, you would have probably increased your teak surface area by 3-400% (just guessing), which could translate into an increase in oil tracked in of the same amount...

epic boats actually uses (or used to use) the same vinyl that hockey goalies pads are made of on a good portion of their interior. while it is not as supple as what the big 3 are using these days, it is tough as nails. i would imagine it would be more durable.

if i got 13 years of service out of vinyl, i would be pretty happy w/ it....

[east tx skier]

Why not use that teak foam that CC is using as an insert on its platforms now. I have a friend who is redoing his fiberglass platform insert on his MC with that stuff. It's a bit pricey, but you don't have to oil it.

[east tx skier]

Why not use that teak foam that CC is using as an insert on its platforms now. I have a friend who is redoing his fiberglass platform insert on his MC with that stuff. It's a bit pricey, but you don't have to oil it.

http://www.seadek.com/Page_0_Swimplatforms.html

[east tx skier]

Why not use that teak foam that CC is using as an insert on its platforms now. I have a friend who is redoing his fiberglass platform insert on his MC with that stuff. It's a bit pricey, but you don't have to oil it.

http://www.seadek.com/Page_0_Swimplatforms.html

[Mikeski]

I have the primal covers for my rear deck only. They work pretty well, but not perfect. The instructions recommend taking them off after each outing. I left mine on all summer last year and they were fine. The only thing that bothers my wife most is that the thick cord on the underside often gets between the pad and the sub support causing it to be very difficult to latch the cover. I don't have too much trouble with it but she gets mad at the covers from time to time. I am sure they have saved my rear deck from a few fin cuts.