Hi everyone.....I hate my non-skid.....it doesn't work anymore. I am all over the place with or without shoes. When your new west marine deck shoes are sliding you know you got problems. I have checked into different ways to do this and even though some people like to put sand in the mix, I think that I would regret it as I am on my boat "shoeless" alot and I want to keep some hide on the bottom of my feet. I have also looked into doing this myself and have decided that it takes a talent that I don't have. Some people say how in-expensive it is to do things yourself but for the most part I have found that it costs be twice for most of my projects that I thought I could do easily (if you know what I mean). Who has replaced non-skid and what did you use? Thanks a bunch!!
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Jim Willis
I hate your non-skid too!
Actually I have been trying to get a sort of survey together. I find that my stippled non-skdi on the main decks is fine for grip and is coated with our sealant. However in the cockpit, there are stress cracks and the "stipples" are worn down. On an ocean trip, too, salt water scum makes the cockpit VERY slippery. I have seen some of the sand and grit type and don't like the look. However, I am looking to a company in HI (All weather surfaces,,, 808 487 3043)) to provide something better. There surfaces are for patios, etc but also suitable for boats. I am going to try several alternative, choose the best and then redo my cockpit. They even have one that has rubber particles for a good grip that would be good for bare feet too. Regards Jim W PS when I finish getting all this together, including details of repair/replacement of gelcoat non-skid, I'm going to be posting this in the Gelcoat and Plastics Forum on this site.
Actually I have been trying to get a sort of survey together. I find that my stippled non-skdi on the main decks is fine for grip and is coated with our sealant. However in the cockpit, there are stress cracks and the "stipples" are worn down. On an ocean trip, too, salt water scum makes the cockpit VERY slippery. I have seen some of the sand and grit type and don't like the look. However, I am looking to a company in HI (All weather surfaces,,, 808 487 3043)) to provide something better. There surfaces are for patios, etc but also suitable for boats. I am going to try several alternative, choose the best and then redo my cockpit. They even have one that has rubber particles for a good grip that would be good for bare feet too. Regards Jim W PS when I finish getting all this together, including details of repair/replacement of gelcoat non-skid, I'm going to be posting this in the Gelcoat and Plastics Forum on this site.
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Chuck Fort
Interlux has a nice product
Interlux now has a pre-mixed paint with the non-skid mixed in. Requires minimal sirring prior to application. I just masked of the areas I wanted to paint and cleaned the areas with a good boat soap and a tiff brush. When dry, I just rolled the paint on. I did it last spring and it still looks great. I would recommend a light color as the darker grey does get warm in the sun.
Interlux now has a pre-mixed paint with the non-skid mixed in. Requires minimal sirring prior to application. I just masked of the areas I wanted to paint and cleaned the areas with a good boat soap and a tiff brush. When dry, I just rolled the paint on. I did it last spring and it still looks great. I would recommend a light color as the darker grey does get warm in the sun.
Stippled or diamond shape.
Susan: What type of non-skid do you have? The early boats (83-84) had a diamond shape pattern (like Catalina) then they went with a stippled gelcoat. I would never consider paint on my boat. I would only use gelcoat. You can color it and add either a thickener or some other products to create a non-skid surface. I would suggest that you purchase some gel-coat and try it in your cockpit first. I am like you with the bare feet. You need something that provides enough grip without grinding the soles of your feet raw.
Susan: What type of non-skid do you have? The early boats (83-84) had a diamond shape pattern (like Catalina) then they went with a stippled gelcoat. I would never consider paint on my boat. I would only use gelcoat. You can color it and add either a thickener or some other products to create a non-skid surface. I would suggest that you purchase some gel-coat and try it in your cockpit first. I am like you with the bare feet. You need something that provides enough grip without grinding the soles of your feet raw.
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David
non-skid
I have used a paint similar to what Chuck describes. It looks and works great! A lot less expensive and easier than gelcoat.
I have used a paint similar to what Chuck describes. It looks and works great! A lot less expensive and easier than gelcoat.
A lot less than Gelcoat?
David: I do not know what prices you are paying for paint, but I think you will find that Gelcoat is actually less expensive than most marine paints. Gelcoat is about $40-45/gal. This includes the wax mixed in with the gelcoat, calalyst and the color. The Interlux non-skid paint is about $20-25/qt. If you do not use a 2 part paint you must be very careful on what you use to clean the boat with. Many of the cleaner will remove the paint. The gelcoat non-skid on the older hunters lasted anywhere from 10-20 years. I doubt that you will find any paint to last that long. The application of the gelcoat is the same as with paint. Prep the surface, mix the color and catalyst and roll it on.
David: I do not know what prices you are paying for paint, but I think you will find that Gelcoat is actually less expensive than most marine paints. Gelcoat is about $40-45/gal. This includes the wax mixed in with the gelcoat, calalyst and the color. The Interlux non-skid paint is about $20-25/qt. If you do not use a 2 part paint you must be very careful on what you use to clean the boat with. Many of the cleaner will remove the paint. The gelcoat non-skid on the older hunters lasted anywhere from 10-20 years. I doubt that you will find any paint to last that long. The application of the gelcoat is the same as with paint. Prep the surface, mix the color and catalyst and roll it on.
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Paul
Treadmaster?
There are some products out there that are glued onto the deck. I'd say that they might be very desireable for refitting an older boat, not sure about your case. I suppose you'd have to sand your existing non-skid smooth. That sounds like a fun job. Just trying to complete the picture... Here's a link to a Sue and Larry sailnet article about treadmaster. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
There are some products out there that are glued onto the deck. I'd say that they might be very desireable for refitting an older boat, not sure about your case. I suppose you'd have to sand your existing non-skid smooth. That sounds like a fun job. Just trying to complete the picture... Here's a link to a Sue and Larry sailnet article about treadmaster. Paul sv Escape Artist h336
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David
Less
Steve, I have done non-skid a number of times on various vessels with paint and gelcoat. Paint is less expensive and easier!
Steve, I have done non-skid a number of times on various vessels with paint and gelcoat. Paint is less expensive and easier!
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Susan Annala
Thanks again guys!!
I appreciate everyone stopping to email me some help. I will check into these things. I do have the diamond shape non-skid as my boat is a 34' 1985. Susan
I appreciate everyone stopping to email me some help. I will check into these things. I do have the diamond shape non-skid as my boat is a 34' 1985. Susan
Contact a pro.
Susan: Being that you have the diamond non-skid, I would contact a pro. If you paint it you will have a mess forever. I think that this is a problem for some pro that has dealt with this before. Painting is going to fill up the valleys and is not going to be pretty (if you think you hate it now.....). I would contact Jim Willis at Island Girl and talk to him about his non-skid sealant. This is a cheap trick and if it works you boat will still be original.
Susan: Being that you have the diamond non-skid, I would contact a pro. If you paint it you will have a mess forever. I think that this is a problem for some pro that has dealt with this before. Painting is going to fill up the valleys and is not going to be pretty (if you think you hate it now.....). I would contact Jim Willis at Island Girl and talk to him about his non-skid sealant. This is a cheap trick and if it works you boat will still be original.
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