Shock Mitigation Flooring

boristhebold · 05 May 2011, 08:39

Im getting aching knees after a good day out on my rib and bashing about insome rough weather, any one fitted and shock type mitigation flooring or mats, im after something I can put behind console flooring area where I stand while underway just to cushion some of the impacts and save my knees etc. Dont want to fit expensive sprung seats

Any experience, anyone fitted anything ?

willk · 05 May 2011, 08:55

Don Dennis fitted both Skydex flooring AND Ullman seating in Thalassa, his Redbay 8.4 Expedition. He did a writeup here - Linky

Might I ask what kind of footwear you favour while boating? I ask because I used to wear waterproof boots and suffered from tingling feet and sore knees after a long day cruising. I've swapped to a well sealed pair of old hiking boots and the difference is amazing. As a zero cost option, I like it!

biffer · 05 May 2011, 09:25

i use my flat foam fenders when i'm underway

Steve_B · 05 May 2011, 11:21

I'm still trying to get hold of the Skydex for our consol, it's like trying to get hens teeth in the UK and certainly not a cheap option.
It has been over a year and still nothing,the guys in the US sent a free sample, but nothing since

willk · 05 May 2011, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250kts

I'm still trying to get hold of the Skydex for our consol

Shoulda bought a Redbay

Siochair · 05 May 2011, 11:31

Has anyone tried shock absorbing insoles like Sorbothane? Never tried them on a boat but have used them to good affect in hiking boots. Whilst I don't think they will be anywhere as affective as Skydex they will be a whole lot cheaper to try.

Steve_B · 05 May 2011, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Shoulda bought a Redbay

Maybe, but then Thalassa was put up for sale very quickly after???

Seriously, had the 1050 been available, I would have considered

willk · 05 May 2011, 11:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250kts

Maybe, but then Thalassa was put up for sale very quickly after???

Upsizing

9D280 · 05 May 2011, 12:16

You could always swap your boat for a rotten searider - the floppy floor will do the job nicely!

On a more serious note, Biffer, don't you end up just "waterskiing" around on your deck?

boristhebold · 05 May 2011, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250kts

I'm still trying to get hold of the Skydex for our consol, it's like trying to get hens teeth in the UK and certainly not a cheap option.
It has been over a year and still nothing,the guys in the US sent a free sample, but nothing since

Ive had the same problem just trying to track down the stuff, I only want something like that to fit behind console, I should try getting a free sample about 20 inches x 3foot ..ha ha

I use yachting boots of a good make which are comfortable but after a hard day my knees hurt.

C-NUMB · 05 May 2011, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by 250kts

I'm still trying to get hold of the Skydex for our consol, it's like trying to get hens teeth in the UK and certainly not a cheap option.
It has been over a year and still nothing,the guys in the US sent a free sample, but nothing since

Is it so that their web shop( www.skydex.com/catalog/9) is not operational? Interesting material.

willk · 05 May 2011, 15:40

Hiking boots are/should be designed to protect the foot from repeated impact while carrying a load. I suspect that yachting boots are not (so much).

m chappelow · 05 May 2011, 16:01

Though a bit on the expensive side a peice the foam matrass as used by inshore lifeboats would be ok its made by a company called Airex though they also make a small square mat about 50cm square for use by home sports fanatics .

Steve_B · 05 May 2011, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

Though a bit on the expensive side a peice the foam matrass as used by inshore lifeboats would be ok its made by a company called Airex though they also make a small square mat about 50cm square for use by home sports fanatics .

Thanks for this, do you have any further info/contacts? Have had a quick search and the range of foams is extensive, so would like to narrow down which types are used by the RNLI

Steve

Paul Glatzel · 05 May 2011, 22:51

Mark

Hi. Know exactly what you mean re boating wellies. I find after a few hours afloat with dubarries on as much as they are awesome boots they have no shock protection and I end up with sore feet and am generally more prone to a sore back etc.

As back issues were one of my key concerns pre round Britain last year we spent a while looking into it and came to the conclusion that the ultimate was shock matting combined with top of the range running shoes. They don’t look overly nautical but without doubt they did the job. Some days we were running 12+ hours and they were a godsend. Shock matting may have some ergonomic issues but nothing that cant be overcome – information on what we used etc in this thread

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36352&page=5

Hope this helps - Paul

Paul Glatzel · 05 May 2011, 22:52

Sorry one other thing, alot of the time (when it's drier) I wear Merrel type hiking/walking shoes and they make a big difference for day to day boating

Paul

butty · 07 May 2011, 07:59

i have some of this type of flooring on my workshop floor, i have also used it to line out cockpits while doing refits and the like.

it is really good stuff, about 10mm thick, should do the job as can be cut easily with a sharp blade.......

Clarke Anti Fatigue Foam Floor Tiles - Pack Of 6 - Machine Mart

Alan Priddy · 07 May 2011, 09:41

Pop down to your local Sports Shop and order a couple of Judo mats. We used them in Spirit going around the World and they were brilliant. Completely waterproof and you can sit, kneel or sleep on it while under way. Your other alternative is to pop along to your nearest Loony Bin and ask igf they have got any offcuts from the wall coverings they use for their "Protected Cells" It is a material designed to stop people harming themselves when they bash thier heads against the walls and floor. Both items are a fraction of the cost of any "Marine related " products Alan P

phil richards · 07 May 2011, 10:44

I know you will think im stupid but trust me................if you have enough room in your boots....release your laces or whatever.......get some treadair underlay and draw around your foot and cut it out,so it fits in your boot!!.......done it for years in me wellies etc works a treat in the winter to!!!!! and its cheap. Its like walking on yer carpet!!

In return for that remarkable peice of info...where is the best place to insure a rib......any advice?
Phil

kerny · 07 May 2011, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil richards

I know you will think im stupid but trust me................if you have enough room in your boots....release your laces or whatever.......get some treadair underlay and draw around your foot and cut it out,so it fits in your boot!!.......done it for years in me wellies etc works a treat in the winter to!!!!! and its cheap. Its like walking on yer carpet!!

In return for that remarkable peice of info...where is the best place to insure a rib......any advice?
Phil

Have a look here, click on willk's link did a great price for me.

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/insuranc...al-time-41191/