Deck pads on my kayak?

[basscrusher]

Need some input.   Thinking about putting foam deck pads on my crescent venture.   I've heard some say they just trap fish slime and get nasty.  I don't stand much in the yak, so noise reduction not much of an issue although I do drop pliers a lot.  But they look cool, and would protect the hull appearance.   Thoughts?

[Jmilburn76]

I put the full MarineMat kit on my Native Slayer Propel right after I bought it 3 yrs ago and it has held up great. I take very good care of my kayak though, wash it often and keep in the garage so Im sure that helps with longevity.

[CountryboyinDC]

I like them, wish they were on my pedal kayak.  They do a great job of deadening sound.  If slime worries you, wash it when you get through.  

[Bankc]

It's up to you.  Personally, I looked at them for a while, and decided it wasn't what I wanted.  I figured they would make it harder for water to channel out and require more cleaning and maintenance.  Plus, the regular deck wasn't lacking anything.  In the end, I decided to keep with the K.I.S.S. principle, and that just seemed like one more thing to go wrong without a significant upside for me. 

 

I also thought about grip tape.  But same thing.  I've never actually slipped on my deck, or had a fear of doing so, and that would just add noise.

 

But just as I couldn't see a significant advantage to them, I didn't really see any significant disadvantage either.  So I might still wind up with some one day.

[FishTank]

I have been thinking of doing this to my Hobie PA14. I saw one with a full padding kit and it looked cool. I am still in the process of getting it just they way I want it for tournament fishing. This may be a good project for next year. 

[schplurg]

If you don't stand much then I say don't bother. Less is more in a yak.