Teak Decks vs Gelcoat Non-Skid ?

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

OK Jon, now that we have settled the teak issue, lets discuss what should be on the deck. If there isn't molded in anti skid in the gel coat, I like using one of the acryllic based commercial deck coatings. These are a slightly rubbery coating applied with a textured roller, and in our experience provide really good traction... better than any molded gelcoat can offer.

Kiwigrip is a popular marine version, but it is fairly pricey. We found (in Australia) an industrial equivalent called Acrylmeric. Got 15 litres (enough to do the decks on our 46 foot boat at least twice) for about 180 AUD. It was easy to apply, water cleanup, fast drying and has held up well so far. One can adjust the aggressiveness of the finish to suit specific traffic areas, and we like the result. Stuff can be tinted to your taste, but we used a fairly stark white to keep it cooler in the tropics. Some folks don't like it's appearance but that's an individual take.

Anyhow, have fun, have cooler decks, have a faster boat... what's not to like?
Cheers,

Jim

I have tried KiwiGrip and not sure I would call it a commercial product. Was not impressed at all. Found you could peel it from the edge like thin latex. I tried DuraBak after that and it is very robust, sticks to a poorly prepped surface very very well and is a pretty hard finish. No comparison between these two.

[siroismi]

What about cork decking?

Michel

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by siroismi

What about cork decking?

Michel

I've always heard sand was death on cork, that it doesn't take abrasives well.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Doodles

I've always heard sand was death on cork, that it doesn't take abrasives well.

We used a sealed cork floor on the inside of our old catamaran and it showed no signs of wear after 3 years. There is a new cork flooring out that people are using on the deck and cockpit. I'm not sure how it wears but it looks great.

[Jon Hacking]

Yes, we've seen the cork decks being sold here, but I can't imagine it would wear well. Cork is so soft. I'd think just the covering (varnish?) would be the main wear deterrent.

[zeehag]

why would anyone varnish a nonskid deck to make it a death deck?????

[sneuman]

Just to clarify my earlier post. My observation is that the removal of the teak made a big difference on the temperature INSIDE the cabin.

[reed1v]

Originally Posted by sneuman

Just to clarify my earlier post. My observation is that the removal of the teak made a big difference on the temperature INSIDE the cabin.

stumbled on this discussion by accident. figured i would add my 2 cents. had two cheoy lees with teak decks plus two sloops with all fiberglass decks. the teak decks were a lot easier on the feet in the tropics. also down below did not seem hotter nor cooler than the non teak decks. always left the teak decks bare. no oils, no cetol crud, just salt water washdowns once in a while. they did not seem hotter than fiberglass decks and a whole lot cooler than a friend's steel decks. unless your a dock queen, your decks are going to be wet anyways. cant beat teak decks for feet. plus fiberglass decks will eventually get ratty. teak stays teak till it wears away or until you mistreat it by sanding, "cleaning", and adding teak products to it.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by reed1v

stumbled on this discussion by accident. figured i would add my 2 cents. had two cheoy lees with teak decks plus two sloops with all fiberglass decks. the teak decks were a lot easier on the feet in the tropics. also down below did not seem hotter nor cooler than the non teak decks. always left the teak decks bare. no oils, no cetol crud, just salt water washdowns once in a while. they did not seem hotter than fiberglass decks and a whole lot cooler than a friend's steel decks. unless your a dock queen, your decks are going to be wet anyways. cant beat teak decks for feet. plus fiberglass decks will eventually get ratty. teak stays teak till it wears away or until you mistreat it by sanding, "cleaning", and adding teak products to it.

EXACTLY