Insights

The Deck Armor blog.

Guides on rubber marine flooring, boat care, and Tampa Bay boating.

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July 10, 2026

Do I Need to Remove My Old Flooring Before a Rubber Decking Install?

Most boats that come into our Tampa shop already have something on the deck. Marine carpet, peel-and-stick EVA foam, old SeaDek panels, vinyl sheeting, or some combination of all f

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July 7, 2026

Hydro-Turf vs Deck Armor: Which Holds Up Better on Center Consoles?

Hydro-Turf is a legitimate rubber product and a step above EVA foam. But on a 22- to 28-foot center console running Tampa Bay, Boca Ciega Bay, or offshore through John’s Pass

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July 3, 2026

Best Marinas in Tampa for Liveaboards and Long-Term Slips

Most marina guides online are either two years out of date, funded by the facilities themselves, or both. Rates change. Waitlists open and close. Liveaboard policies get tightened

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June 30, 2026

How Long Does Marine Rubber Flooring Last in Florida Heat?

Deck Armor rubber flooring installed correctly lasts the life of the boat under Florida conditions — which is why we back it with a lifetime warranty on recreational vessels. That

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June 26, 2026

Marine Rubber Flooring vs EVA Foam: Which Survives Florida Sun Longer?

Marine rubber outlasts EVA foam under Florida sun by roughly double. In Tampa Bay conditions, quality marine rubber holds its color, grip, and adhesion for 8 to 10 years. EVA foam

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June 19, 2026

Best Flats and Bay Boats for Skinny Water Fishing in Tampa Bay

If you want to fish the skinny stuff around Tampa Bay — Cockroach Bay, the Kitchen up near Weedon Island, the back side of Fort De Soto — the four hulls that actually earn their ke

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June 16, 2026

What Does Marine Rubber Flooring Cost in Florida? A Real Breakdown by Boat Size

Marine rubber flooring in Florida runs anywhere from $1,200 on a small skiff to $6,500-plus on a 30-foot center console with full hatch wrap and complex cutouts. That’s a wid

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June 12, 2026

Anatomy of a Custom Marine Flooring Install: What to Expect

From the day you drop your boat off to the day it’s back in the water, a Deck Armor install runs about a week. The hands-on install is roughly one to two days, then the floor

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June 2, 2026

Choosing the Right Marine Flooring Color: A Heat and Visibility Guide

If you fish the flats out of Tierra Verde or run offshore from Maximo, go charcoal grey or virgin black. If you weekend-cruise on a Bennington or Catalina out of Harborage at Baybo

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May 29, 2026

Why Marine Carpet Fails (and What to Replace It With)

Marine carpet was designed for freshwater lakes and mild summers. Florida is salt, UV, afternoon thunderstorms, 90% humidity, and decks that sit in the sun for 245 days a year. Eve

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May 26, 2026

How to Clean Rubber Marine Flooring: A Florida Owner’s Guide

Most rubber marine flooring failures we see in the Tampa shop aren’t from age or UV. They’re from owners using the wrong cleaner, or scrubbing with the wrong brush, or

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May 25, 2026

5 Best Boat Ramps in St. Petersburg for Trailerable Boats

St. Pete has more than a dozen public boat ramps, but only five of them are worth your time if you’re towing anything bigger than a jon boat. The rest are either silted in, p

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May 15, 2026

Deck Armor vs SeaDek: A 10-Year Comparison for Florida Boaters

For Florida boats that live in the sun year-round, marine rubber flooring outlasts SeaDek by roughly double — 8 to 10 years vs. 3 to 6 years before you’re shopping for a repl

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May 12, 2026

How Long Does Marine Rubber Flooring Actually Last? A Florida Owner’s Guide

Marine-grade rubber flooring properly installed lasts 8 to 10 years in Florida conditions. Here’s the honest breakdown of what kills marine floors, how rubber compares to EVA

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