I read awhile back about putting something like black sealant or silicone in the "groove" of the companion-way steps. It supposedly looked really good and improved the traction. Would you recommend doing this? Do you think it would create more problems...like dirt particles sticking to it? I have the standard steps used on the Catalina 30 early 90's vintage...probably simliar to those used on the 34 and the 36.
companion way steps
- Thread starter Stephen K
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Use MinWax Natural Wood Filler
works great, put it in 10 years ago. Was written up in the Nov. 1988 Mainsheet magazine, just in case you have them stored in your garage. Yes, 1988. I've seen black and it looks horrible. Send me an email and I'll send you a jpg of the article. (It'd be unreadable if posted here.)
works great, put it in 10 years ago. Was written up in the Nov. 1988 Mainsheet magazine, just in case you have them stored in your garage. Yes, 1988. I've seen black and it looks horrible. Send me an email and I'll send you a jpg of the article. (It'd be unreadable if posted here.)
...I am not suprised
that Stu has Mainsheet's going back to 1988...I am suprised at the quick response. I sent you my e-mail information and look forward to the article. Many thanks for taking the time and effort to send this along.
that Stu has Mainsheet's going back to 1988...I am suprised at the quick response. I sent you my e-mail information and look forward to the article. Many thanks for taking the time and effort to send this along.
Black is Beautiful?
Stu, what makes black so unattractive? I was thinking of filling in my tread way with black 5200. My experience with white is it starts to look dingy after a while. How is your wood putty holding up over time? Did you varnish over it? Do you still have “good” traction when the steps get wet? I want to keep Freya as close to ISAF Ocean 1 or 2 as much as possible and I want something that is both attractive and has good traction without going to that “sandpaper” looking tread way.
Stu, what makes black so unattractive? I was thinking of filling in my tread way with black 5200. My experience with white is it starts to look dingy after a while. How is your wood putty holding up over time? Did you varnish over it? Do you still have “good” traction when the steps get wet? I want to keep Freya as close to ISAF Ocean 1 or 2 as much as possible and I want something that is both attractive and has good traction without going to that “sandpaper” looking tread way.
It's not white it's a nice tan color
that matches nicely with the light wood trim on the stairs. Those slits caught so much dirt ya wouldn't wanna know... Holding up perfectly after 10 years, no slip, no issues, we have great handholds that we use going down by habit even when not at sea. The older C34s have one at the edge of the sliding hatch, plus the two on the sides. The newer Mark IIs don't have that great hatch handhold. Whether that factory finish on the treads is OR 1 or 2, I do not know, probably not. We never varnish anywhere on the boat. Only thing the stairs needs is a slight touchup at the forward, inside, edge of the top three treads, will use a poly for these tiny areas to match the basic finish of what's there. The only place 5200 belongs... (hull to deck joint)...you've all heard that from me before. I don't like the white crap either.
that matches nicely with the light wood trim on the stairs. Those slits caught so much dirt ya wouldn't wanna know... Holding up perfectly after 10 years, no slip, no issues, we have great handholds that we use going down by habit even when not at sea. The older C34s have one at the edge of the sliding hatch, plus the two on the sides. The newer Mark IIs don't have that great hatch handhold. Whether that factory finish on the treads is OR 1 or 2, I do not know, probably not. We never varnish anywhere on the boat. Only thing the stairs needs is a slight touchup at the forward, inside, edge of the top three treads, will use a poly for these tiny areas to match the basic finish of what's there. The only place 5200 belongs... (hull to deck joint)...you've all heard that from me before. I don't like the white crap either.
Good Idea SK
Stephen, You'll have to let me know how that might work. My only conern is the mess and cleanup. Fifty two hundred I believe is tough to sand and remains somewhat pliable. Consider Stu's recommendation with Minwax wood filler. Wood prep here would be critical for adherence. Take your time! On a 30 Catalina, their are a lot of grooves to clean and fill. I look at my steps and ask the same question about improving appearance. I never had an issue with traction thus far. Actually something nice in stainless would be lovely, but does not warrant the $$$$$$. Keep us posted. How's that gasket set up on the steering quadrant cover making out by the way? Bob "I" Dock
Stephen, You'll have to let me know how that might work. My only conern is the mess and cleanup. Fifty two hundred I believe is tough to sand and remains somewhat pliable. Consider Stu's recommendation with Minwax wood filler. Wood prep here would be critical for adherence. Take your time! On a 30 Catalina, their are a lot of grooves to clean and fill. I look at my steps and ask the same question about improving appearance. I never had an issue with traction thus far. Actually something nice in stainless would be lovely, but does not warrant the $$$$$$. Keep us posted. How's that gasket set up on the steering quadrant cover making out by the way? Bob "I" Dock
5200 no way...
IF I do this project there is no way that I would even consider using 5200! My steps have "aged" to a cherry or mahogany color..the rest of the cabin has remained much lighter. I personally think the black would look really good on my boat. I did find the article that used black silicone on the C34 web site...go to "projects" and look way down the list to "refinising sole floor and stairs to galley". I want to read Stu's article also before choosing what to do. I'll look at the Minwax filler next time in HD. I may "chew" on this decision for a time and just enjoy sailing while we have some water.
IF I do this project there is no way that I would even consider using 5200! My steps have "aged" to a cherry or mahogany color..the rest of the cabin has remained much lighter. I personally think the black would look really good on my boat. I did find the article that used black silicone on the C34 web site...go to "projects" and look way down the list to "refinising sole floor and stairs to galley". I want to read Stu's article also before choosing what to do. I'll look at the Minwax filler next time in HD. I may "chew" on this decision for a time and just enjoy sailing while we have some water.
Let me Explain Further…
What I have is a newer Catalina with the varnished, light colored teak. The varnish also covers my companionway steps. (This is way different from Stu’s boat which has that nice deep, rich colored teak and I believe his steps are either natural or treated with oil.) So, my varnish is wearing thin and I will need to refinish the steps soon and I would like to get rid of grooves used for non-skid as they tend to collect grime and generally look dingy. Also, to pass IASF Ocean 1 or 2, I need to have the steps “non-skid”. I am concerned that varnished steps would not be considered non-skid. I was hoping to do achieve this by filling in the grooves with black caulk which hopefully would give me the non-skid properties I’m looking for. I was thinking of 5200 because of it’s hardness as sometime in the future, I will have to refinish the steps again and 5200 is hard enough to sand without getting torn up like would happen if I used a softer caulk. I would not be gluing anything together with the 5200, only filling in the grooves flush with the rest of the step.
What I have is a newer Catalina with the varnished, light colored teak. The varnish also covers my companionway steps. (This is way different from Stu’s boat which has that nice deep, rich colored teak and I believe his steps are either natural or treated with oil.) So, my varnish is wearing thin and I will need to refinish the steps soon and I would like to get rid of grooves used for non-skid as they tend to collect grime and generally look dingy. Also, to pass IASF Ocean 1 or 2, I need to have the steps “non-skid”. I am concerned that varnished steps would not be considered non-skid. I was hoping to do achieve this by filling in the grooves with black caulk which hopefully would give me the non-skid properties I’m looking for. I was thinking of 5200 because of it’s hardness as sometime in the future, I will have to refinish the steps again and 5200 is hard enough to sand without getting torn up like would happen if I used a softer caulk. I would not be gluing anything together with the 5200, only filling in the grooves flush with the rest of the step.
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