Wooden Boat People

By McKenzieDriftBoat.com

Deck Paint

I'm waiting on my set of plans from Tracy O'Brien so I can have the information I need to restore my new boat (click here to see post regarding the new boat). When I e-mailed Tracy, he looked at my original post referenced above and recommended painting the deck with non-skid paint. He says the now do it on the boats they build. Wondering what route to go. I have read pros and cons regarding bed liner and while I originally thought I'd go that way, I'm afraid it might be a problem for maintenance if I needed to do a repair. So I'm considering paint options, either Valspar non-skid floor paint, or Interlux Interdeck non-skid deck paint. Any opinions out there?

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on January 25, 2012 at 4:01am

Dave: Glad Tracy responded rapidly and is cooperating with your restoration. Go with the nonskid paint. This is what we used at the WoodenBoat School with Jason teaching us to build a Freestone. Read some of the posts about trying to get bedliner off the deck - sound like a real PITA.

Good Luck

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Permalink Reply by Dave Caravella on January 25, 2012 at 3:54pm

Tracy was great, thanks for the lead. He did confirm my boat is his Headwater 14. I decided to buy a set of plans from him so I'd have them for reference, plus I wanted to give him the business for being so helpful.

Yep, that's what I've seen about the bed liner on a recent post. Which way would you go on the non-skid paint, the Interlux Interdeck or the Valspar floor paint I linked to in my original post?

Thanks for all your advice!

-Dave

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Permalink Reply by Lawrence E. Long on January 26, 2012 at 5:55am

At the WoodenBoat School I think Jason used the Interlux- but PettitEZ Decks nonskid will also work. My Whitewater was finished with Kirbys and sandblasting grit. I will get all manner of grief about the dogs fur being rubbed off and stepping on flylines the way I did it . Sand blasting grit is finely crushed slag/obsideon- all uniform size and no "dust". Lay on the first coat well brushed in. Let dry- mask off where you want it. Lay on the second coat and shake the grit all over the wet coat. Let dry,brush up excess grit and vaccume up any leftovers

Follow with another 1 or 2 coats. Its more work but I wanted to match the Kirby light gray. some guys use ground up walnut shells- but I don't know where they get them

Good Luck

PS here on the coast some of our superstitions- blue boats are unlucky( the interior of the Peapod is blue), don't say "pig" on a boat, no bananas on board,don't whistle on deck. I violate all the rules and am still afloat.