Aqua Marine Deck vs. Seadek

[Bfun220]

I'm still struggling with getting mine from aqua marine. Hopefully install next week. So it maybe a while.

[jasonm]

I'd be glad to explain in detail when you are ready.

I would love to know. I am not the best craftsman, but my FIL has done a lot of finish carpentry work in his day. I think we could probably handle the task.

I think the Cobalt logo in the mat would be cool, but not necessary to me any more. Especially after I got off the phone with Cobalt a couple days ago. I spoke with the marketing guy, Mike I think was his name, said that since Cobalt was bought by Malibu corporate is not allowing logo releases.

Thanks in advance.

[jasonm]

I also wanted to add a big Thank You for everyone's comments. It makes making a decision hard. It doens't sound like anyone is overly happy with either of the two.

[NautiGirl]

I'd be glad to explain in detail when you are ready.

I think the Cobalt logo in the mat would be cool, but not necessary to me any more. Especially after I got off the phone with Cobalt a couple days ago. I spoke with the marketing guy, Mike I think was his name, said that since Cobalt was bought by Malibu corporate is not allowing logo releases.

Thanks in advance.

That makes sense, the timing of Cobalt getting serious about enforcing their trademark on the logo and the Malibu acquisition do appear to line up well.

I have been part of larger public companies purchasing smaller private shops. From an IT perspective its often a nightmare. I would imagine someone in Malibu's marketing department had a heart attack when they realized cobalt really didn't care who was reproducing their logo.

[Big Block Power]

I think if your not in a hurry and don't want this done until next year anyways. Either company is Perfect. Just start the process now. I knew it going into it so I expected it.

[mdadgar]

I just said no either send me a new mat or refund me. They refused to. So my sea grass carpet is going back in my walk through. And when my swim deck goes south in a few years I will take my money elsewhere.

Sorry for the long rant but that is beyond poor customer service

Why don't you just dispute the credit card charge?

I bet that gets it resolved ASAP.

- Mark

I made the purchase in early June, received my mats in mid July, and have been fighting them ever since. Probably to late now to dispute the charge

I doubt it. Call your credit card company. But first threaten them with a chargeback - they hate that because they pay a fee even if they win the dispute.

- Mark

[Norris_Boating]

So here I go. After seeing YT’s I went with aqua marine. The product was cheaper than sea deck and the quality seemed great. So I ordered it based off a template for my boat that they already had. Well it was off an 2003 262 mine is a 2002. So I get it and my walk thru transom mat was cut wrong see attached pictures.

So I just got the layout for my boat from SC wake, tried it out on a couple R7's that were insock at the local dealer and noticed the hole where the door to the bow locks in the floor is different on the two boats. The Service tech's confirmed that this hole is custom drilled for each cobalt and thus they are often slightly different. I assume that this is the same thing you are seeing.
Did they send you dry fits before sending you the finished product?

[JTinMO]

Once SeaDek gets your templates (or enters your order with templates they have), they will email you with a form to complete. It is at that time you can (Pay for) and get the dry fit patterns to check fitment. When you get them you can mark them up and then send them back to SeaDek. You can then either do another round of dry fits for the modified templates, or place the order for the SeaDek at that time.

So yes, the dry fits are an option. And you have to pay to get them. It adds about 2 weeks to the process, but well worth it if you are a stickler for things to fit exactly right.

[whitelightning]

I'd be glad to explain in detail when you are ready.

I would love to know. I am not the best craftsman, but my FIL has done a lot of finish carpentry work in his day. I think we could probably handle the task.

Thanks in advance.

Not a problem. I learned four VERY important financial lessons in life from my parents.(among many other things)

1. It's not what you make, it's what you save.
2. A penny saved is a penny earned.
3. Things come to those who wait.
4. Always pay cash

I price shop EVERYTHING and if I don't like the price, I make it myself! Boats and saving $$$ are not usually in the same sentence and some have $$$ to burn but since I don't I live by the rules above and in the end it's all about doing what makes you HAPPY! If I can help, let me know.

[whitelightning]

Isn't that what makes Cobaltchat such a unique place!!!???

You come on here asking about foam decking choices and come away with advice on how to become financially independent, for free no less!!!

[Big Block Power]

Isn't that what makes Cobaltchat such a unique place!!!???

You come on here asking about foam decking choices and come away with advice on how to become financially independent, for free no less!!!

Nothing is free. We will spend your money

[Bobo87]

Dry Fit is a must for a smooth clean installation. Just like the old saying measure twice and cut once. Unfortunately I usually cut twice and it is still too short. Lol

[jma2@fuse.net]

"A week goes by I finally get an email back saying that my boat must be different so they are going to send me some stuff to make a template. I said no just send me another mat. And she says sir we aren’t going to waste money sending you another mat when Cobalt made your boat different. She actually said that. So I agree to do the template. I send it to them they call me and say that my lines are to “erratic” and they cannot make a cut. They need another. I just said no..."

I can understand the frustration and disappointment that the decking did not fit correctly, and so any anticipated enjoyment for this summer is lost. I would not be happy either if I were in your shoes. You've just spent a lot of money for a custom product that does not fit correctly, and the company was less than quick to rectify the issue.

That said, however, winter is around the corner (at least up north), so there is plenty of time to correct the issue before next summer. If you really want the mats (and they do look great), I'd save myself any further aggravation of disputing the credit card. The time spent responding to the dispute could be better spent working to properly fit the decking for your Cobalt. I don't think the request for a second template is unreasonable, but rather it shows that they want to get it right. Again, if you really want the mats, then I'd work with them and make another template. In fact you have a perfect template with the new decking you installed. Other than the hole placement, the fit looks perfect (am I missing something?). I would mark the installed mat where the hole should be cutout, and then send the mat back as the template.

[whitelightning]

You are well within the timeframe to dispute the charge. But in the end, you probably just want the correct fitting and matching piece for your boat so maybe go ahead and have them send the material for you to make another template?

[whitelightning]

You need to get that flag kit ordered too!