What Are Gunwale Boarding Mats?

The gunwale, which is located on the side of a boat, provides structural stability while offering a flat surface for passengers to safely board.

Gunwale boarding mats are especially designed to securely drape over the boat's gunwale. Made out of marine-grade, UV-resistant Sunbrella fabric, these mats provide a non-skid, non-marking rubber underside to protect your boat's finish and prevent slipping. To help keep the mats in place, sand weights are sewn into each end. 

With different options available depending on your needs and preferences, you can design a marine-grade specialty mat that enhances the function and appearance of your boat.

Benefits of Sunbrella Gunwale Boarding Mats

If your boat has a center console for boarding, a Sunbrella gunwale boarding mat will provide several benefits, including: 

• Protection: Gunwale mats add a layer of protection on boats, helping prevent scratches, dings and dents. Especially if you or other passengers are carrying gear like fishing rods and tackle, the risk of unintentionally damaging your boat increases. A gunwale mat will act as a protective barrier, ensuring sharp or heavy objects don’t damage the finish on your boat.
• Safety: Thanks to the non-marking rubber backing and sand weighted ends, gunwale mats help create a non-slip surface when boarding. If your boat’s gunwale gets wet, it can be a hazard to you and your passengers. A gunwale mat will create a dry, secure surface when stepping on and off your boat, preventing slips and falls.
• Personalization: While boat gunwales are practical, they also offer the option to add a personal touch to your boat. Along with choosing from a variety of Sunbrella fabric colors, you’ll also have the option of adding either a single or double line of text, marine graphic or custom logo. Custom embroidery will elevate the look of your vessel, adding a polished and personalized touch. 

• Easy to maintain: Gunwale mats are exposed to harsh marine environments on a daily basis. Because they are made out of Sunbrella material, they offer a quick and easy maintenance process. If they are starting to look a little dirty, you can use a solution of gentle soap and water to clean the surface. If there are stains or your gunwale mat is especially dirty, use a sponge or a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly to allow the mat to air dry to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Design a Custom Gunwale Boarding Mat Today

At Matworks, we’ve been specializing in custom marine flooring and accessories for over 40 years. We use marine-grade materials and offer an array of customization options to make your gunwale boarding mats your own. 

No matter if you decide to add lettering, a marine graphic or a custom logo, we’ll bring your design vision to life so you and your passengers can enjoy an elevated boating experience.

While our focus is on high-quality, personalized marine accessories, we strive to offer our custom marine gunwale mats at an affordable price. For the holiday season, we are offering a buy one get one special on our Sunbrella gunwale boarding mats – which also includes custom embroidery. 

Add two gunwales to your cart and use discount code HOLIDAYBOGO at checkout to save. Shop our gunwale collection today and reach out at 770-663-0040 if you have any questions!