Deck color

[coopec43]

When I painted the deck some years ago I chose to paint it manila. Quite a few experienced people in boating (yachtsmen, tradesmen, surveyor etc) have been aboard while the yacht was under construction and not one has remarked on the color.

Today I was at the marina and walking back to the car when the penny dropped! ALL the yachts and launches had white decks except mine and one other. Then I was joined by Dutch (or German?) guy (who said he had done a circumnavigation and was now planning to circumnavigate Australia). He said the white color is just fashion and manila/yellow is just "old fashioned". Would you agree?

(Helen has a cored deck so the inside is pleasantly cool.)

[JoeRobertJr]

I wonder if a preference for white is more than just fashion. Our cream colored decks get brutally hot in the sun. I wonder if we had white decks whether we could walk on them barefoot in the sun.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by JoeRobertJr

I wonder if a preference for white is more than just fashion. Our cream colored decks get brutally hot in the sun. I wonder if we had white decks whether we could walk on them barefoot in the sun.

Yes I agree.

Almost all of the launches and yachts would be production boats and balsa cored and therefore well insulated. But I suppose white would definitely be cooler and anything helps. I am wondering if white would be easier on the eyes?

[rslifkin]

My boat is slightly off-white with matching non skid gelcoat on the decks. Even with them being just a little bit not-white they get pretty hot on a really hot, sunny day with no wind. Manageable barefoot most of the time, but occasionally uncomfortable.

Other boats I've been on with truly white decks do stay a bit cooler, but I don't know if that's enough to be worth dealing with keeping a bright white deck looking clean. If I re-do the non-skid on mine at some point I'll likely to go for a light cream color as it'll be easier to keep it from looking grungy. And having the decks obviously not match the rest of the boat will look better than an imperfect attempt at matching the color.

In general, boats have gotten whiter over time. White paint was common in the wood days, but many fiberglass boats were off-white, often an oyster or eggshell color. Then around the late 80s and early 90s, they started getting whiter until everyone settled on bright white as being the "modern" look. My boat looks white most of the time, although the color is more noticeable if it's overcast or rainy. However, put it next to a modern white boat and it's very obvious that my boat isn't actually white.

[bergius]

Our boat is otherwise cream colour, but when we removed the teak and re-cored the deck, we decided to go with white. Even here in the north, the teak deck would get uncomfortably hot. No such problems with the white deck.

Paint is Perfection Mediterranean White, with white Kiwigrip for the non-skid. And yes, it can get dirty. Then we wash it. The boat is for cruising, not a show piece.



Right now we're re-coring the cockpit footwell, and will do the same paint scheme there.

[s/v Jedi]

The only good thing about a white deck is the temperature of the deck in the sun; I dislike the color for the anti-skid portions as it doesn’t contrast the smooth parts and dirt shows too well and isn’t easy to clean from non-skid.

We currently have the smooth parts Insignia White and the non skid Eggshell White and this looks good while still allowing to walk on it with bare feet.

In the pastI have had the lightest grey and it was too hot to walk on even in Holland.

[hugosalt]

Boat new (in 1985) came with beige hull/deck much to my surprise, and after some thought, to my delight. Right or wrong I feel reflection better on my eyes.
Not so much of a problem with hot deck in New England .

[JPA Cate]

Ours are like Snow white for the smooth, and if you mixed 1/4 cloud white to the snow white for the non-skid. The non-skid parts used to be a light grey, like the cloud white.
The change to whiter non-skid made it noticeably easier to walk on barefoot, and still is okay on the eyes. We actually measured the under deck temps on a hot day, and were pleased. Sorry, didn't write it down and I can't remember how many deg. C. it was any more. We will do it again. Happy with the non-skid qualities of acrylmeric Sport Coat.

Ann

[GordMay]

Nathanael Greene Herreshoff wrote: “There are only two colors to paint a boat, black or white, and only a fool would paint a boat black.”

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Nathanael Greene Herreshoff wrote: “There are only two colors to paint a boat, black or white, and only a fool would paint a boat black.”

Well I have come to the conclusion that unless you are out sailing the seven seas only a fool would own a boat -marina fees, annual registration, insurance, haul out/maintenance......

[Benz]

Bright white is too glaring for me in the tropics--I use a light cream color (Awlgrip's "Cream" in fact). Deck stays cool enough for bare feet without causing snow blindness. I've done bright white and between that and glare off the water, there aren't sunglasses dark enough.

[coopec43]

Originally Posted by Benz

Bright white is too glaring for me in the tropics--I use a light cream color (Awlgrip's "Cream" in fact). Deck stays cool enough for bare feet without causing snow blindness. I've done bright white and between that and glare off the water, there aren't sunglasses dark enough.

I think you are right. I've often been told that white can dazzle but it would depend where you sail?

My deck could do with a bit of attention so I'm thinking of something like Moon Dust or Desert Sand (See s/v Jedi's color chart above). Either of those colors should go quite well with the white hull.

Or maybe one of these?

[marcjsmith]

flat lighty grey here... was on the boat when I got it...

hides dirt to some extent

[Benz]

Originally Posted by coopec43

I think you are right. I've often been told that white can dazzle but it would depend where you sail?

My deck could do with a bit of attention so I'm thinking of something like Moon Dust or Desert Sand (See s/v Jedi's color chart above). Either of those colors should go quite well with the white hull.

Or maybe one of these?

Both Moon Dust and Desert Sand are too dark, IMO. The feet heat up with those on--I work on a boat with DS and it gets hot early on. If you're going with Awlgrip, I highly recommend the "Cream"

[Fore and Aft]

Coopec 43 it might be time to start a new trend and install fake grass on your deck! Being an owner-built Roberts I doubt anyone would raise an eyebrow.
Cheers