Traction Mat question?

[CZSteve]

I'm looking to add either a Hydro-Turf or Blacktip traction mat to our '96 GTX.
Currently we only have the stock mat sections screwed down at the rear; the foot wells are just the gel coat but with an abrasive non-slip surface. Plan on going w/ the 3-M peal-n-stick option if Hydro and understand this is standard w/ the Blacktip.

Do I peal and stick directly on the abrasive surace? Obvioulsy thoughoughly clean and dry.

Color: The GTX's are the White / Forest Green mix and plan on keeping it simple - not flashy. At first thought of going basic black; however, is the grey noticeably cooler? We're in N. Texas where it's been known to get a bit warm at times...

What textures do most people prefer and why?

Thanks,
SA

 

[blairwill4]

I would highly recommend hydroturf. Its a little more expensive than black tip but I've seen bot and hyrdroturf just seems to give better traction. The cut groove is my favorite hyrdoturf I have it on my 96 xp and its never let me down. As far as the 3m adheasion, I like it. Its simple and mess free and it sticks surprisinly well. 3 year old hydroturf on mine and no inclination its coming up anytime soon. My recomendation would be like you said, make sure its very clean before putting it down. If you are really feeling froggy, I took a scotch bright pad and scuff the gel coat a little bit before I put it down for better adheasion. Also hitting it will a heat gun as you put it in place might not be a bad idea either. Just enough to get it hot and sticky, not enough to dry it. Good luck! Post pictures when you are done.

-Blair

 

[CZSteve]

Any concern or anything to address regarding the rough anti-slip that had been factory applied to the gel coat above and beyond an acetone cleaning for best adhesion?

Thanks,
Steve

 

[Jetskigoodies]

I just clean it real well with acetone and install. I have not had any problem at all. I have put mats on alot of seadoos and my opinion is to get hydroturf over blacktip. The mats are actually a bit softer and I like how they cut the turf better. With an x4 hull hydroturf uses long peices on the sides where blacktip has 2 pieces that you have to butt up to each other. Plus you have way more options colorwise with hydroturf. I have installed them on models with that exact gritty texture you are talking about with no problems. Oh yeah definately get the psa it will save you alot headache. If you compare the prices between the 2 the hydroturf will only be a few bucks more after the 15% discount you get from being a member on this forum.

 

[Minnetonka4me]

Yup now that I have had both Hydroturf is really the way to go. The "dogbone" mat with black tip is a little better than the rest of theirs but still a little hard. Hard=slippery.

 

[Spimothy Leary]

I have installed both brands, and two styles, both cut groove and wishbone.
my preference is HT cut groove, both are pretty close, and I had BT on my 96 xp with no issues but something about HT makes me feel a little better when my bare feet hit the pad, just about 5% softer. but honestly either way, you'll probably be happy if you go cut groove.

Wishbone, IMO looks great, but for my personal experience, I won't use it again, i really preferred the feeling of the cut groove over wishbone, but honestly for aesthetic purposes, wishbone... if I was keeping the ski i'd go cut groove, if I was selling it, wishbone.

 

[CZSteve]

Thanks for the replies.

Any noticeable temperature difference between black and gray or light gray?
Also, can the HT be ordered from PWCMuscle without the cut-out logo?
I don't care for the large logo look and afraid all the extra edges of the logo are just an additional opportunity for problems.

Thanks again,
Steve

 

[Spimothy Leary]

Thanks for the replies.

Any noticeable temperature difference between black and gray or light gray?
Also, can the HT be ordered from PWCMuscle without the cut-out logo?
I don't care for the large logo look and afraid all the extra edges of the logo are just an additional opportunity for problems.

Thanks again,
Steve

no
not sure you'd have to ask direct or wait to hear from a member
i haven't experienced problems with the logo.

 

[blairwill4]

You can buy hydro turf in sheets that you can cut to your own shape. You could avoid the HT logo that way. In all honesty though the hydro turf logo fits into place very tight, it doesnt create and snags or anything of the sort. Personally I like the look of the logo.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

If you get the psa then the logo is a small football shape and fits very nicely. I guess the larger cut letters only come on the ones without psa.

 

[Jetskigoodies]

This is hydroturf 2 toned mats black on blue. I love the 2 toned mats, the logo is not that big.

The mats are never hot. Color will nit be an issue for temperature

 

[CZSteve]

I looked closer on PWCMuscle and apparently the oval logo is now the standard and the cut logo is only on request; the cut logo was my biggest concern - with the 15pt discount the HT is less the $3 more than the BT...:thumbsup:

Now just need to decide on color; debating between black and dark gray (Doo's are the '96 white & forest green).

 

[ricochet88]

I've been debating the same thing I have the same doos I can't decide between the dark grey, black, or purple marble