SeaDek/GatorStep in Older Nautique

[smahaffey111]

Looking to see if anyone has any information on installing Gatorstep/SeaDek in a 1997 Sport Nautique? I am looking at replacing all the carpet inside my boat and was wondering if it can even be done. Any advice on dealers or shops that can do it to DIY projects is greatly appreciated! Thanks

[wakejunky]

It can be done. You can bring it someplace that can do that work but, you'll pay a pretty good penny to have all the glass and gelcoat work done.
There are a few people who have done it here on PN but, the things to get done are; The floors on the older boats are not level so, it has to be floated out flat. The openings for the ski locker and rear panel will need to be squared up and new pieces cut and fitted. Then all the edges need to be gelcoated so that the exposed area between the openings and the new flooring look finished. Then you have to create a template and send it off to which ever company you choose to go with. And then you install the new flooring

[NautiqueJeff]

I have the full process documented in my 1998 Ski Nautique build.

Starting here, this shows what you have to do to the floor. Keep reading to see the rest of the process.

[smahaffey111]

I have the full process documented in my 1998 Ski Nautique build.

Starting here, this shows what you have to do to the floor. Keep reading to see the rest of the process.

Thanks Jeff, I went through your whole build and what can I say that was one of the best restoration/builds I think Ive seen to date. I am curious though on the flooring, like what all I need to do and how to do it when it come to getting it prepped for either Seadek or Gatorstep? My 97 Sport has the open bow and I know it is probably going to require a little extra to replace the carpet all the way to the front bow. Any advice or side pointers outside of your thread that you would be willing to share with me would be greatly appreciated!

Thank You

[NautiqueJeff]

It is really not that bad. The carpet can just be pulled up. You'll find raw red fiberglass under there. You have to get rid of the residual glue somehow. We sanded ours out. Then if you want the floor perfectly level, you have to apply some sort of leveling material. We skipped that step, and it really didn't matter. After that, we sprayed our floor with black gelcoat. Use whatever color you want visible between the pieces of Seadek. We knew our base layer of SeaDek was going to be black, so we used black gelcoat too. After that, you just template out the pieces and order it. The installation is pretty easy -- SeaDek is peel and stick. If you want to make that part super easy, you can use a local SeaDek fabricator, or even make an appointment and drop your boat off at the SeaDek factory, and they will measure it all out for you and even install it. That's what we did, and it turned out great.

Since you're in North Carolina, I suggest you check with Kelly at Underfoot Marine Products. He's awesome, and can get you all set up.

https://www.underfootmarineproducts.com

Here's the end result on the '98 Ski Nautique I did.

[hofftoski]

That looks awesome, what is the cost?
i have a 2000 ski nautique and would like to do the same

[CHassmann]

Also, how difficult is it too keep the light color SeaDek clean?

[NautiqueJeff]

It wasn't too bad, but I was careful with it. The Dek Magic cleaner that SeaDek makes works well, as does the Boat Juice that SC Wake makes. The only stain I got on it was from an old piece of grease that fell off of the driver's seat track and got stepped on.

[Canuck-Surfer]

NautiqueJeff How was your rear couch attached to the boat? Did you run the SeaDek under the seat structure? Same question for observers bench...does the seat base come to rest on the SeaDek or the fiberglass/gelcoat?

[NautiqueJeff]

Just held in by the normal rubber attachments and the little metal things under the center section. Takes about fifteen seconds to remove it. SeaDek runs under the seat all the way to the back of the boat. See this thread for lots more pictures.

1998 Ski Nautique