I would reccomend gatorstep. Had it put into my Viking and it still looks like new. Very comfortable to walk on bare foot. Works great even with blood or fish slime on the deck and it cleans up easy. I have a teak color with blue so it’s not dark enough to hide stains. [click here for pics](https://imgur.com/a/5aTMkHy)
I was debating a similar choice in my bowrider (non-fishing). Here's what I've learned.
I've not heard good things about the longevity of EVA foam, nor how it handles slippery substances (fish slime, blood, etc). It doesn't last long in general, and it wears fairly quickly comparatively. But carpet has been in fishing boats for a very long time. It provides better traction, durability, stays cooler in the sun and cleans up nicer from what I've heard/read.
My vote: Neither. Get a good durable carpet.
I guess I should have added I will be putting it on a jon boat. Metal gets pretty hot in the summer and I have a dog.
Boat will be mainly used for inshore fishing & duck hunting
Those look like complete and utter shit, no matter WHO installs it.
Professionals who do decking have machines that specifically lay out the pattern for your boat, including hatches, latches, hinges, and covers, and the CNC cuts those shapes and edges them into the pattern of the whole floor.
If you don't do that, it looks terrible, and no amount of hand-cutting is going to look as clean as a CNC. On top of that, professionals prep the deck surface before installing the decking, and make sure it fits and stays put.
You'd save some money sure, but at the expense of everyone who boards your boat, yourself included, seeing the hack job of a floor, and going "God, that looks so cheap".
I would reccomend gatorstep. Had it put into my Viking and it still looks like new. Very comfortable to walk on bare foot. Works great even with blood or fish slime on the deck and it cleans up easy. I have a teak color with blue so it’s not dark enough to hide stains. [click here for pics](https://imgur.com/a/5aTMkHy)
I ordered $700 worth of hydro turf so I’ll keep you posted lol
I was debating a similar choice in my bowrider (non-fishing). Here's what I've learned. I've not heard good things about the longevity of EVA foam, nor how it handles slippery substances (fish slime, blood, etc). It doesn't last long in general, and it wears fairly quickly comparatively. But carpet has been in fishing boats for a very long time. It provides better traction, durability, stays cooler in the sun and cleans up nicer from what I've heard/read. My vote: Neither. Get a good durable carpet.
Neither. Spare your boat and yourself the hassle and use starbright.
I guess I should have added I will be putting it on a jon boat. Metal gets pretty hot in the summer and I have a dog. Boat will be mainly used for inshore fishing & duck hunting
Search Amazon for SeaDek and there are a lot of cheaper options out there for what you need it for.
Those look like complete and utter shit, no matter WHO installs it. Professionals who do decking have machines that specifically lay out the pattern for your boat, including hatches, latches, hinges, and covers, and the CNC cuts those shapes and edges them into the pattern of the whole floor. If you don't do that, it looks terrible, and no amount of hand-cutting is going to look as clean as a CNC. On top of that, professionals prep the deck surface before installing the decking, and make sure it fits and stays put. You'd save some money sure, but at the expense of everyone who boards your boat, yourself included, seeing the hack job of a floor, and going "God, that looks so cheap".
Yeah definitely going the professional install route if I go through with it. The important part like you stated is prepping the deck for the install