This is an off the wall question.
I have a two piece cockpit teak grate that needs sanding and refinishing for the umteethed time.
Has anyone just painted it a good outdoor paint?
Bill evans
Nonsuch 30U #465
Galesville MD.
I clean it and use teak oil, I wouldn’t think the paint will compromise the traction.
Hi, I’ve been using Daly’s Ship and Shore wood sealer. Leaves a matte finish, not glossy like a varnish. Easy to apply a couple of coats every 2-3 years. Lightly spray clean the grate with a pressure washer first.
https://www.dalyswoodfinishes.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=2
Don
Hi Bill,
Soave doesn’t have a cockpit grate, and it hasn’t occurred to us that we need one. Besides the aesthetic advantage that freshly oiled teak has over textured fiberglass, do you find functional benefits from the grate ?
We have teak patio furniture ( at home not on Soave ) that I pressure wash and oil most springs that looks pretty good after 20 years.
I’ve seen synthetic materials like Starboard used with pretty good results. ( HERE ) is an example.
Good luck,
Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT
Thanks, I just bought teak oil.
Great minds think alike!
I’m not sure if bothering to do that is a GRATE idea. Normally, due to the wear and tear from our shoes/feet, it’s left to it’s own devices. All I do on any boat I’ve ever had was to power wash it in the spring.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
As to Rob’s question as to its functionality, for us it’s good for keeping our feet dry if it rains or something is spilled in the cockpit. It’s also good for hiding stuff when it’s dropped and finds its way to the cockpit floor. Lifting it up is like finding change in the couch cushions.
Brian Cayer
Spirit~Wind
N30U 419
Westbrook Ct.
My 3OU came with a product called Dry-Dek on the cockpit floor. Ultra low maintenance and offers very good slip resistance. Plus keeps feet and lines dry. I liked it so much I use it in the cockpit lockers and on the bow where chain and a dropped anchor might damage the deck.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
Mike,
Good thought, Soave has Dry-Dek in some of her lockers. It’s saved lots of stuff from mold damage.
We’ve not experienced enough heavy weather to get our feet wet in the cockpit. Or maybe our understanding of wet is different having raced Flying Scots in all weather for 20 years.
Soave is dry and comfortable beyond belief in conditions that would be miserable on our Scot.
Looking forward to our 2nd season with Soave.
Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT
An added advantage of having a grate is that it adds 2 to 3 inches of height for the first mate to steer without complaining that she can’t see over the coach roof.
You guys must be taller than me. I have the teak cockpit grate but I just added an additional 3 inch “poop deck” behind the binnacle so I can see over the dodger while standing. Hopefully that is tall enough. I haven’t had the chance to try it yet.
I keep mine natural. It does not look as good as freshly finished teak, but looks much better than worn finished teak. It was grey and unfinished when I got the boat and I’ve got plenty of other things to work on in my lackadaisical style than trying to refinish gray teak boards that are just going to get walked on. It also seems to have very good traction, though that probably only matters when it is wet and mine is only ever wet when I wash it.
It is not hard to retrieve iron/steel items from beneath the grate with a magnet, but I too am often surprised at what I find when I have to lift it while retrieving something non-magnetic.
– You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups “INA Nonsuch Discussion Group” group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to . To view this discussion visit .
Not standing in water. But need to lift and clean. We use Cetol every couple of years. May switch to to oil next time as we need to remove the the finish every occasionally.
We like it..
Or, if you want to do it cheap with no annual maintenance, you can do the cockpit of a N26 (28" x 60") with outdoor drainage pavers like these for under $50 USD:
I can recommend the above material and source, based on having used it on my previous and current boats.
For Canadians wishing to buy domestic products, it looks like this might be an alternative, although I don’t have personal experience with it:
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Marina del Rey, California