It is common knowledge among boat owners that a marine vessel’s deck is slippery. For many people, including seasoned sailors, slipping on a boat deck is unavoidable. Boat decks are often painted to protect the surface from corrosion and wear. However, the smooth surface can be the cause of accidents once it gets wet.

The ideal solution is to increase friction and reduce the possibility of someone sliding on the surface. You can achieve this by painting the deck with non-skid material. In the old days, people added sand into the paint or sprinkled dry sand onto the wet paint to make the surface non-slippery.

How to make your boat deck safer with non-skid paint

Today, you can increase the boat deck’s slip resistance by using non skid paints. Some come with the non-skid materials separately, while others are already premixed with granular materials. Non skid paint is easy to apply, and we’re here to give you tips on using it.
Pick the right paint.

Since most foot traffic happens on the boat deck, it needs a tough coating for protection. However, it is not only foot traffic that causes wear and tear on the deck’s surface. Various gear and anchors can also do extensive damage. As such, the most practical solution is to choose a two-part polyurethane paint that comes with a non-skid powder or additive. You can also use a single-pack topcoat and buy the non-skid additives recommended for your boat separately. Further, you can look for marine paint already premixed with non-skid material. Make sure that you purchase the paint recommended for the material covering your boat deck.

Applying the non skid material

You have several ways to apply the material. Here are some ideas.

● Apply a layer of paint according to directions. You can make a temporary shaker and put the additive powder in it so you can quickly sprinkle the non skid additive onto the wet paint. With the separate non skid paint, you control the amount of non skid aggregate you add to the surface. Allow the paint to cure before blowing off the excess powder partially. Then, apply another coat of paint to seal the non-skid aggregate.
● Another method is to add the powder directly into the paint you will use. But you should ensure that the non skid material will not bunch up on the brush or roller. You may need to stir the paint constantly to distribute the additive powder.
● Your third option is to purchase a premixed polyurethane marine paint with rubber granules. It has excellent adherence to any boat deck surface.

Producing a non skid area

● One of the things you should do is observe the curing/drying and over-coating times of the topcoat.
● Since parts of the deck do not need non-skid paint, make sure to mask off these parts to protect them.
● Ensure proper paint adherence by lightly roughening the exposed areas with 280-grade sandpaper.
● Sprinkle the non skid powder on a freshly applied topcoat. Apply the second coating of the topcoat lightly, so the brush does not move the additive materials.

Keep in mind that you should prepare the boat deck properly before applying the non skid paint. Without the correct surface preparation, the non skid paint will not adhere properly and will ruin the look of your boat deck.