Smarter floors ~ Boating NZ

Batavian has been fabricating SeaDek, a highly regarded range of EVA/PE customised foam flooring for many years – products used by most leading boatbuilders.

The flooring products range – from a variety of European and US manufacturers – are locally available courtesy of Blu-Sky Products NZ. The company was formed in October last year following the purchase of Featherston’s Batavian by Australian company Blu-Sky Products.

Batavian has been fabricating a highly-regarded range of EVA/PE customised foam flooring for many years – products used by most leading New Zealand boatbuilders. Owner Glen Davidson (and now CEO of the new Blu-Sky Products NZ company) says the merger made perfect sense.
“Blu-Sky (Australia) distributes a very wide range of marine flooring products and I’d been exploring the possibility of becoming the New Zealand agent for them. Conversely, Blu-Sky was already the SeaDek distributor for Australia, so the ‘marriage’ seemed perfectly logical, allowing us to create Australasia’s largest and most comprehensive marine flooring solutions company.”
Blu-Sky Group Managing Director, Wayne Gates, says the acquisition has not only provided a better platform for Australasia (making the company one of the world’s biggest suppliers of SeaDek), but has also created an excellent distribution arm in New Zealand.

“We’ve been getting enquiries from New Zealand boat manufacturers and marine outlets for years – seeking our world-leading brands – and I don’t believe in the fly-in-fly-out approach. To be serious about selling in New Zealand it had to be local people and stock. Glen and his team have a fantastic reputation for quality and service – and that’s our culture too.”

The variety
‘Affordable quality’, adds Gates, is the ethos that underpins Blu-Sky Products. “Our entire range is sourced from the US or Europe and that allows us to offer the latest in marine flooring – and to suit any budget.
“That’s why we call ourselves a solution specialist. Unlike most flooring suppliers which have a single brand, we can supply the best product to suit the buyer’s needs and budget. And we help buyers identify their needs and select the right product. No other business in New Zealand – or Australasia for that matter – has the range to provide this sort of service.”
All products are waterproof, stain-resistant and can be cleaned with soapy water to remove fish blood, squid ink, red wine or sauce. They’re also designed for comfort and practicality, which means more time enjoying your boat rather than maintaining it.
All the products come with warranties and proven durability.

The range
SeaDek is the ideal product for trailer and fishing boats. It’s been designed to offset fatigue caused by standing all day, but its 100% closed cell structure makes it durable and easy to clean. No more pulling out carpets for cleaning or slipping on plate flooring.
Team New Zealand has partnered with SeaDek to give their boats the best non -slip, anti-fatigue and lightweight product. The product is also widely-used on many Volvo Ocean Race yachts.

If your preferences lean towards a carpet alternative that’s stain-resistant, soft under foot and looks great, consider the Infinity Luxury Woven Vinyl option. It’s made in the USA, can be used internally and externally, and is backed by a 10-year warranty. It’s flexible and can be glued down or laid loosely. It can be bound together to create a wall-to-wall solution, or used to replace existing carpet mats. The range comprises 12 colours/patterns.
If timber’s more your style Nautikflor is a revolutionary flooring plank from Switzerland that doesn’t swell, delaminate or stain. It too is backed by a 10-year warranty. Exceptionally realistic and warm with low maintenance, it eliminates the phobia associated with spills on timber decks. And it never requires recoating.
Nautikflor is available in six colour options to match your décor, although Teak-and-Holly is the traditional one for the interior cabins. As an added bonus, says Davidson, the product is also one of the most amazing DIY options he’s ever seen. “Really simple, though you could never tell once it’s down.”
For external applications there is NuTeak – a teak alternative. Remarkably realistic, NuTeak can be installed to look exactly the same as traditional teak decking, but without the usual headaches of sanding, sealing, no shoes and no wine. Spills are easily washed away. It’s supported by a 20-year warranty and brings a touch of class to your boat without killing the budget or old growth forests.
“We’ve have been starved for marine flooring choices in New Zealand,” he adds, “but I’m delighted to say that’s all changed. Boat owners now have a world of choice.”