Treadmaster diamond vs smooth vs ??

[FollowingCs]

I am looking to buy a used Catamaran. It has diamond shaped squares on the deck, that appear to be Treadmaster Diamond pattern. These are coming off a bit, and need re-glued or replaced. My issue is that the diamond pattern hurts my bare feet. Does anybody use the 'smooth' pattern with success? Also, anything else to consider?

There is also the possibility that these are not Treadmaster Diamond patterns, but some other brand, and Treadmaster diamond is really comfortable. So any experience there would be helpful also.

I'd go ask around at the marina, so I could sample them, but I'm still stuck in Ohio for a bit.

Thanks,
Ray
~ Following C's ~

[rognvald]

F,
I have both on my boat: diamond pattern in critical areas(mast base,cabin top, companionway ladder); smooth in non-critical areas(cockpit sole.seat tops). Excellent product. However, the diamond pattern is not comfortable unless wearing shoes. Good luck and safe sailing.

[Stumble]

I don't have any experience with tread master, but I use a foam product called hydroturf. The grip is amazing, better actually than grip tape, and it's foam, so it's actually very comfortable.

[Training Wheels]

How long does it last?

[Stumble]

No idea, I just started using it. The rest of the boats I have seen it on seem to replace it every 4-5 years. But see were high end race boats that take a lot of abuse.

[Training Wheels]

So, it seems to hold up in the sun?


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[bobnlesley]

"...Treadmaster Diamond pattern. These are coming off a bit, and need re-glued or replaced. My issue is that the diamond pattern hurts my bare feet..."

Not half as much as the task of replacing those damaged areas is going to hurt your fingers and knees!
I like Treadmaster non-slip, but stripping worn-out Treadmaster and its underlying adhesive is perhaps the most unpleasant task that I've ever undertaken on out boat; I found no successful mechanical means and by hand I reckon that I managed to remove less than 1 square-foot of the stuff per hour!
Also. if you're heading to the sun, choose a very light colour; our original yacht had dark-grey and this one a copper coloured Treadmaster, we had to overpaint both to stop our feet burning on it.

[SV Siren]

I have Treadmaster Diamond pattern on my current boat, it is very old and brittle and peeling at the edges. Being brittle, and very hard now, I find that it cuts into whatever skin is in contact with the deck. I will be removing it, and painting with a non-skid...not looking forward to stripping it all off...just my .02.

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by Training Wheels

So, it seems to hold up in the sun?


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The florescent colors fade rather quickly (they tell you this very clearly), say in about a year. Otherwise it's pretty tenacious stuff. I use a light grey that looks exactly the same now as when I installed in six months ago.

Thick mud take a light brushing with soft bristles, but otherwise it cleans itself. Just a quick hose down and it's back to looking like new. So far I haven't found anything that will even stick to it other than the 3m psa adhesive that came with it. Even trying to get gorilla tape to stick was fruitless.

So far I have tried staining it with blood, acetone, mud, alcohol, paint thinner, and bearing grease, it all just slides off.

It runs about $100 for a 4x8 sheet (with the psa which I highly recommend), and you just cut out patterns for the deck.

[FollowingCs]

Thanks for the input everyone. We will see the boat again July 6th so I will re-asses at that time.

~ Following Cs ~