Getting in the boat?

[jafo9]

My previous boats all had a walkway to get in the boat. This will be our first summer with the 02 X30 and obviously there is no walkway to board. I have 2 medium dogs, 3 kids and we entertain often. I'm already in the process of replacing the rear seat base cushions. I suspect the one that was the most destroyed was the path the PO used for entry/exit. A thick towel seems like a good solution for crossing the sun deck, but what about protecting the seat cushions for that first big step down? At first I was thinking about a foam "stadium seat" to throw down. Lately I've been thinking about a kitchen cutting board to throw on the cushion in the "path" for mass entry/exit. Any suggestions?

Also, are all shoes bad for vinyl? Thanks.

[Jerseydave]

First rule on my boats, shoes OFF! Everyone carries their shoes onto the boat.

A nice carpeted bath mat works great on the sun pad, and a towel or 2 on the rear seat cushion.

All shoes are bad because they hold sand, dirt, stones, dog poo, etc.

[mikeg205]

+1 on JD's... big step down, lay down some towels...is what I do.

[BrooksfamX2]

Two bath mats, one for pad and one for seat. OR a new X series with front boarding.........

Naked Feet Only on the boat.

http://shop.lmgraphix.net/Naked-Feet...8.qscstrfrnt06

http://www.havasudoug.com/store/inde...f6d66jz1bj444i

[CantRepeat]

Toss them in like they were midgets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbr8qNMgCR4

[east tx skier]

Originally Posted by Jerseydave

First rule on my boats, shoes OFF! Everyone carries their shoes onto the boat.

A nice carpeted bath mat works great on the sun pad, and a towel or 2 on the rear seat cushion.

All shoes are bad because they hold sand, dirt, stones, dog poo, etc.

This! Plus, rule 2: Don't step on the seats! I know it sounds ridiculous, but this vinyl is too expensive to have people standing on it. It puts too much pressure on the seams and, well, you know the rest.

As for a solution, if you have 3 seats across and the cushions are removable, consider some sort of step under the walkway cushion. In my boat, there is a fantastic solution. The center cushion flips over and forms a step. In my old 93, you had to remove the whole back seat, but there was a step. My current ride enables us to have most of our rear seat available and the center cushion is just a few seconds away from being a seat again if need be. I have no idea why CC got rid of this configuration. It is wonderful.

[NatesGr8]

we have no rules, get in however you can. +1 to tossing them like midgets!!!

[Thrall]

I agree with no shoes on the boat, but no step on seats???
Waht do you do at the dock? remove the side seats and install a board for people to step on?
Getting in and out of the water from the back. Remove the seat each time someone gets in or out of the boat?
Sheeesh, sounds like a full time job for the 1st mate. "Sorry bud, you're on seat detail today. You can get one set in, but no beers for you. I need you on top of your game today so noone touches the seats!"
I'm pretty anal about my boat, but finding a way for people not to step on the seats is a little overboard, pun intended.

[BrooksfamX2]

We do bare feet only and then it doesnt matter if you step in the seat.

[GoneBoatN]

+1 for no shoes in the boat. No one (including me). Never. Shoes go into the starboard side storage compartment where they are handy. We put a towel on the seat during entry from the dock to help keep clean.

We don't have a dog so no suggestions there. Maybe bath mats like others suggested. Something to keep the nails from digging in.

Yes, we step on the seats to get in the boat from the dock and step on the sun deck to get to/from the platform.