A Bunch of BS from Lake Bottom Blanket®

WHOA! Lake Bottom Blanket® has posted a “Product Comparison” pitting itself against Seaweed Mat™ and LakeMat®. Poorly written, and full of BS — it’s a hatchet-job, masquerading as information.

I won’t repost it all, just the more egregious lowlights — and show why Lake Bottom Blanket® is just plain janky.

First off, it’s unbelievable — but they actually spell “mat” wrong — right in the opening HEADLINE! How could anyone possibly misspell “mat”— when the entire thing is about “mats”?

LakeMat Frames

LBB says: “LakeMat® uses an aluminumized steel frame…”

Okay, “aluminumized” isn’t a word - but it’s fun trying to pronounce it:

“alum-inum-ized?”

LakeMat frames are, in fact, made of “aluminized-steel.”

LBB says: “[LakeMat’s] frame design takes on the burden of stretching the material within it.”

That’s the point, Bottom Bros™ — stretching fabric on the frame is how it stays taut, and also, it’s why we have U.S. patents.

LBB says: “[LakeMat’s frames are]…carbon steel… coated with an aluminum-silicon alloy, a process called hot-dipping.”

No, Bottom Boys™, we use cold-rolled steel — it’s much stronger than regular carbon steel. Our steel is bonded to aluminum — NOT by a process you call “hot-dipping.” Together, cold-rolled steel and bonded aluminum create a material with both superior strength and corrosion resistance — that’s why we use it.

LBB says: “[LakeMat’s frames]… if dragged over rocks…the underlying material (steel) will begin to rust and corrode.” 
If you knew anything at all about LakeMats® you’d get our frames are completely encased inside our geotextile fabric — so drag ‘it over all the rocks you want, you can’t hurt it.

LakeMat Fabric

LBB says: “LakeMat® uses a black heavy non-woven textile material like a mesh…”

Whoa — Bottom Bro™!

What “mesh material” you talkin’ about? Were you trying to spell “mat” again?

Have you ever seen a LakeMat? You could order one here so you’d have some idea of what you’re talking about.

Our fabric, that Blanket Bro™ tries-and-fails to describe is in fact, needle-punched, nonwoven polypropylene.

LBB says: [LakeMat® fabric] is, “…heavier than water.”

Polypropylene’s specific gravity is 0.91. Is that “heavier” or “lighter” than water, Bottom Bro™? This question should be easy-peasy for “engineers.” (LBB is implying our “heavy” fabric suffocates microorganisms. LBB just made that up. In fact our gas-permeable fabric is approved for underwater use by US Department of Transportation. Plastic tarps are not approved.

LBB Got Hateful on Seaweed Mat™ 
(Why you raggin’? Because they can spell “mat” right?)

In our (LakeMat’s) opinion Seaweed Mat Systems™is a legit company with a perfectly good product.

Yet LBB says “[Seaweed Mat’s] design also infringes on our patent.”*

Well… who infringed on whom?

— Seaweed Mat's patent was issued October 25, 2005.

—Lake Bottom Blanket’s patent was issued August 1, 2006.

So, the Blanket Boys™ claim their patent was infringed on A YEAR BEFORE they had a patent… I’m pretty sure that 2005 came before 2006.

What You Get From Lake Bottom Blanket®

You get: plastic sheeting, rope, a buoy and… a DVD?! WTF?

LBB says: their mat is, “non–porous 3-layer polyethylene.” Polyethylene is the stuff plastic bags, food wrap and other plastic films are made of. We actually got a Lake Bottom Blanket—a while ago, and it works great—on a hill—as a homemade “Slip-N-Slide®.”

And WHO still has a DVD player anyway? Is there an 8-track audio version, too? Or maybe when they typed “DVD” they were trying to spell “mat,” again?

You Don’t Get a Frame

LBB says: “…purchase the required rebar weights locally…(cost is usually $8 – $12 per 10′ piece).” You need nine rebar sticks for a 40-footer.

Imagine going somewhere to buy rebar. How do you haul 10-foot sticks of rusty, rough steel with sharp ends and steel burrs? Got an old pickup with a full-size bed? It ain’t fitting in a car, or a crossover SUV. Maybe tie it to the roof? You really wanna tie that to your vehicle?

Speaking of “rusty, rough steel with sharp ends and metal burrs,” use your imagination and ask yourself, “How well will plastic sheets hold up to that? How will the kids and grandkids feet hold up to sharp, rusty steel burrs when they work through the plastic sheets? (metal slivers really suck).

Pro tip: If you plan on handling rebar, make sure you and the family have your tetanus shots up to date.

Rebar is meant to be encased in high-alkaline environments (like concrete)—otherwise it rusts and starts scaling, super fast.

“Rebar” is what LBB tells you to use?

Aside from being rusty and sharp — rebar bends easily. The Lake Bottom Boys™ are “engineers” so they should understand this:

Section Moduli Comparison:

1" x 5' steel tubing → 0.1014 in³ (LakeMat frame)

3/8" x 10' rebar → 0.0052 in³ (LBB’s “weight system”)

English translation:

LakeMat frames are — 19.6 times stronger than rebar. Greater bending-resistance means steel tubing is far superior handling loads than rebar.

Wrapping It All Up

For $275.95 plus shipping—Lake Bottom Blankets will sell you, a 40’ x 10.5’, (420 sq. Ft.) 3-layer-sheet of plastic — and you “buy rebar.” Add shipping and rebar, and you’re pretty close to $400.

By contrast: For just $249 with FREE shipping (in the lower 48 states) you can get a 50’ x 12.5’ SandMat — find some rebar, zip-tie it to the fabric and you’ve sorta got the same thing. It’s not a great idea, but it is a DIY-version — for about $50 less. (Or just get a LakeMat - or a Seaweed Mat and do it the right way to begin with).

Let’s compare costs:

SandMat™ (by LakeMat®) vs. Lake Bottom Blanket®

$249 & Free Shipping! $300 with estimated shipping included

50’ x 12.5’ = 625 square ft. 40’ x 10.5 = 420 square ft

— A SandMat would give you 50% more coverage for $50 less.

We don’t ever advise DIY weed mats — mostly because of the many problems with rebar. We just wanted to show what the price difference is for a chunk of LBB material, versus a bigger chunk of our.

SandMats are meant for use on shore, to hold sand in place, protect your shoreline,

Inhibit weed growth and erosion.

Maybe someone should start a line of cheap Lake Bottom Bedding™ products.

“Lake Bottom Duvet™ — For Keeping Weeds More Cuddly on Cold Nights.”

“Lake Bottom Quilt™—For the Cozy-Weed-Free Experience You Deserve.”

“Lake Bottom Comforter™—Tuck Your Weeds in for a Permanent Nap.”

“Lake Bottom Weighted Blanket™—For Feeling Extra Calm & Secure.”
(All these name are satire, of course. I’ve always thought Lake Bottom Blanket® was a dumb name — but I kinda like Lake Bottom Duvet™).

Seaweed Mat’s patent was issued in 2005 — 20 years ago. The statute of limitations for infringement only lasts six years. Complaining about it now is just whining.

Inventor of,

LakeMat®, MuckMat® — and a bunch of other “mats” that are all spelled correctly.