The cockpit grate is something you could probably live without, but it does improve the look and comfort of the cockpit of your sail or power boat. When I was much younger, I was willing to spend a lot of time and money to make a ‘proper teak grate’ made from interlocking slats. This type of grate looks great but it is not easy to make for someone inexperienced in woodworking.
Years ago I decided to try a simplified approach and since then I never looked back! You can make a solid cockpit grate from almost any kind of wood. Not only will it look attractive, but it’ll also give you a better grip and keep your feet dry in most conditions. And the type of grate described here will not be hard on your wallet!
Most cockpits have some kind of rectangular shape. Even if there are some curved sides or areas where you need to avoid something – for example a steering wheel pedestal – it’s not too
