Anti fatigue mats

[PCSB]

Are there any specific "narrowboat" suppliers of anti fatigue mats. Or anyone know of a company that can provide custom sizes? 

 

None of the standard sizes are really suitable for what I want - I accept I may be being picky!

 

TIA,

Paul.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

36 minutes ago, PCSB said:

Are there any specific "narrowboat" suppliers of anti fatigue mats. Or anyone know of a company that can provide custom sizes? 

 

None of the standard sizes are really suitable for what I want - I accept I may be being picky!

 

TIA,

Paul.

So what size mat do you want? 

[PCSB]

1 minute ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

So what size mat do you want? 

130cm x 80cm and a sort of semi circle, long side appx 140cm max depth appx 50cm.

 

If needed I'll buy bigger and cut to size, but would prefer it with neat edges! 🤣

[tree monkey]

Learn something new everyday, I know know there's something called anti fatigue mats

 

Handy for a long day's boating i guess

 

 

[IanD]

1 minute ago, tree monkey said:

Learn something new everyday, I know know there's something called anti fatigue mats

 

Handy for a long day's boating i guess

 

I've got those interlocking plastic ones (cut to fit exactly), and they are more comfortable underfoot when standing all day than a steel deck... 🙂 

[PCSB]

2 minutes ago, tree monkey said:

Learn something new everyday, I know know there's something called anti fatigue mats

 

Handy for a long day's boating i guess

 

 

🤣 they have been available for quite some time. At my old place of work in the warehouse there, all the PAT testers had them at their work stations. It will just make cruising that bit nicer! (it already is very nice tbf ... )

 

[plato]

I can recommend Rubber Matting online. 
They have every type of rubber matting you could desire. 
Proper well made kit. 
unlike a lot of cheap knock off stuff on eBay / amazon. 

[cuthound]

1 hour ago, PCSB said:

130cm x 80cm and a sort of semi circle, long side appx 140cm max depth appx 50cm.

 

If needed I'll buy bigger and cut to size, but would prefer it with neat edges! 🤣

 

Our last shareboat had a cut down section of rubber, apparently from a conveyor belt. It caused significant rusting of the stern deck because it trapped water which then couldn't dry out and eventually the mat got thrown away.

 

By the way, it is not recommended to stand on the stern deck whilst steering (particularly when in reverse) when steering to avoid being swept into the canal right by the propellor should the rudder hit an underwater obstruction or the bank. Better to steer from inside the hatches on a trad or semi-trad boat and stand outside of the arc of the tiller on a cruiser stern.

 

[PCSB]

4 minutes ago, cuthound said:

 

Our last shareboat had a cut down section of rubber, apparently from a conveyor belt. It caused significant rusting of the stern deck because it trapped water which then couldn't dry out and eventually the mat got thrown away.

 

By the way, it is not recommended to stand on the stern deck whilst steering (particularly when in reverse) when steering to avoid being swept into the canal right by the propellor should the rudder hit an underwater obstruction or the bank. Better to steer from inside the hatches on a trad or semi-trad boat and stand outside of the arc of the tiller on a cruiser stern.

 

The main area is in the semi trad back as that is where I stand when steering. 

[cuthound]

19 minutes ago, PCSB said:

The main area is in the semi trad back as that is where I stand when steering. 

 

In which case a rubber mat won't cause rusting, but may rot the deckboards quicker by trapping moisture. 

Edited April 19 by cuthound
Spillung

[PCSB]

5 minutes ago, cuthound said:

 

In which case a rubber mat won't cause rusting, but mat rot the deckboards quicker by trapping moisture. 

Its worth the risk for a comfier stance. Always upsides and downsides 🙂

[Ex Brummie]

All the anti fatigue matting I've seen is not a solid rubber, but more of a lattice pattern. I suppose that as its primary use is in an industrial environment, liquids passing through the holes keeps it anti slip. It also allows water to escape so the rust problem is avoided.

A good friend once gave me a 4 mt roll of 2 mt width. I didn't realise how good a friend he was till I checked the price on line!

Edited April 19 by Ex Brummie

[DHutch]

2 hours ago, tree monkey said:

Learn something new everyday, I know know there's something called anti fatigue mats. 

Same. 

 

Aware of the concept, and have seen them in workplaces and on the back of boats, but the term is new to me. 

 

Helps particularly when the floor is cold, such a concrete warehouse floor, or in winter a steel deck. 

[CIEL]

These work for me cut to shape in front well deck and outside rear deck on semi-trad. However I spend most of the time when cruising sat up on the side on a cushion just inside the rear doors.  Throttle between my knees and tiller nicely to hand as it just overlaps the doors.

https://www.diy.com/departments/non-slip-outdoor-rubber-door-mat-door-mats-outdoor-40-x-60cm-home-entrance-mat-for-outside-porch-entrance-black/5056316705424_BQ.prd 

Off cuts go under the gas cylinders in the front locker and either side of the engine.

[plato]

On 19/04/2026 at 19:34, cuthound said:

 

Our last shareboat had a cut down section of rubber, apparently from a conveyor belt. It caused significant rusting of the stern deck because it trapped water which then couldn't dry out and eventually the mat got thrown away.

 

By the way, it is not recommended to stand on the stern deck whilst steering (particularly when in reverse) when steering to avoid being swept into the canal right by the propellor should the rudder hit an underwater obstruction or the bank. Better to steer from inside the hatches on a trad or semi-trad boat and stand outside of the arc of the tiller on a cruiser stern.

 

This the matting I use , it’s got small nibs on the underside. So no chance of water getting trapped and causing rust. 
The reason I got it was to stop the dog skidding about when he jumps on and off the boat. 
I would say it’s a bit comfier under foot and  also safer on those frosty mornings 

[Chagall]

1 hour ago, plato said:

This the matting I use , it’s got small nibs on the underside. So no chance of water getting trapped and causing rust. 
The reason I got it was to stop the dog skidding about when he jumps on and off the boat. 
I would say it’s a bit comfier under foot and  also safer on those frosty mornings 

Where did you get this from please?  Ive been looking for something similar. It looks like one piece so Im assuming you can cut it to size? 

[Jon57]

41 minutes ago, Chagall said:

Where did you get this from please?  Ive been looking for something similar. It looks like one piece so Im assuming you can cut it to size? 

https://ebay.us/m/Usljuv

[Cheese]

Look for "non-slip drainage mats" or similar.  Mats with holes in are better for both the deck (by reducing / removing trapping water underneath) and for standing on (by not pooling water on top)

[Chagall]

Thanks 

[IanD]

This is the type I got which is soft underfoot and sits up from the deck in little pillars so no chance of water collection, it came direct from the manufacturer at a fraction of the cost of a chandler. They'll even send you free samples of the different colours if you can't decide which you want -- mine are light grey.

 

https://www.versatile-flooring.co.uk/shop

 

Edited April 21 by IanD

[plato]

13 hours ago, Jon57 said:

https://ebay.us/m/Usljuv

I got it from rubber Matting online. 
yrs I cut it to fit and used the offcuts in the engine bay

[cuthound]

17 hours ago, plato said:

This the matting I use , it’s got small nibs on the underside. So no chance of water getting trapped and causing rust. 
The reason I got it was to stop the dog skidding about when he jumps on and off the boat. 
I would say it’s a bit comfier under foot and  also safer on those frosty mornings 

 

My boat has something like that fitted to the bottom of the gas locker.

 

It was already there when I bought it and prevents the paint on the floor being damaged when changing gas bottles. Worth it's weight in gold.

[Chagall]

I went for one of these... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D6FZXJKZ?  . Thanks for the help. 

[ditchcrawler]

On 19/04/2026 at 19:34, cuthound said:

 

Our last shareboat had a cut down section of rubber, apparently from a conveyor belt. It caused significant rusting of the stern deck because it trapped water which then couldn't dry out and eventually the mat got thrown away.

 

By the way, it is not recommended to stand on the stern deck whilst steering (particularly when in reverse) when steering to avoid being swept into the canal right by the propellor should the rudder hit an underwater obstruction or the bank. Better to steer from inside the hatches on a trad or semi-trad boat and stand outside of the arc of the tiller on a cruiser stern.

 

We had matting on the tug deck as well as the stern and found the same thing with rust under it, that was open rubber matting. It was like this 

[IanD]

The type of mat I posted doesn't seem to have any water retention/rust problems. And as well as being more comfortable underfoot with thin soles, a bonus if you're wearing boots with a chunky tread is that the nubs don't get stuck down the holes like the mats with the much bigger circular holes... 😉