Get a grip with easy-to-apply additives, pre-mixed paints, and patterned mats.

Boat decks take a beating. Besides daily flogging by the sun and other merciless weather elements, they face constant foot traffic and regular scrubbing, often with harsh cleaners.

Eventually−and understandably−this abuse takes its toll on factory-molded nonskid, and once nonskid loses its grip, resurrecting it moves from an aesthetic fix to a safety issue, making it a must-do on the maintenance to-do list.

Boat owners looking to put some stick back into a slip-and-slide deck have a few options: apply a deck paint with a nonskid additive or glue sections of specialized nonskid mat to the deck. There are several variations of the paint method. Some deck paints come pre-mixed with a nonskid compound (polypropylene, silicon oxide, pumice, or polymers) in powder or bead form, or you can buy the additive separately and mix it with a paint before applying, or broadcast it on top of the wet paint with a sifter-shaker.

We’ve had mixed results with DIY mixing and sifting, but we’ve gotten the most uniform grit pattern by combining the two methods: Mix the nonskid additive with the paint, roll it on with a high-nap roller, and sift more aggregate on the paint while it’s tacky; once the paint dries, you can brush off the excess media and apply a second coat in the same manner. You can make an aggregate “shaker” by poking a dozen or so holes in the lid of the can with an ice pick, then up-ending it to sprinkle the additive across the deck.

In the Feb. 1, 2003 issue, we tested a variety of nonskid options, including multiple pre-mixed paints, nonskid paint additives, and large rubber mats. With this report, we take a fresh look at the topic and the products available for a do-it-yourself nonskid overhaul.

MATS
TREADMASTER

The nitrile rubber/PVC Treadmaster mat, made by UK-based Tiflex, was PS’s top pick among nonskid mats in the Feb. 1, 2003 and Nov. 1, 1995 evaluations− and for good reason. Its slip resistance is unparalleled. The original diamond pattern allowed testers to stay sure-footed beyond 50 degrees of incline in all but one test situation. It also tied with Durabak for having the most resistance.
The only areas where Treadmaster was led by the SeaDek mat were application and skin abrasion, by a hair. The Treadmaster, which was harder than the squishy SeaDek, was a little rougher on knees, and the heavier, trimmable mat was harder to glue on than the self- adhesive, pre-cut SeaDek.

Testers applied Treadmaster with its proprietary two-part epoxy, an insanely strong adhesive that has about an hour of workable pot life before it becomes permanently stuck to whatever it’s touching. During our application, some glue oozed out from the panel edge and onto our shop’s concrete floor. When we removed the dried epoxy from the floor, chunks of concrete came with it. Lesson learned: Clean up any errant epoxy with a solvent as soon as possible, and as directed, be sure to leave a lip around the mat edge that is free of glue; the epoxy will squeeze into the bare area when the mat is put in place.

Made of ground cork and nitrile rubber, Treadmaster is designed to resist stretch, wear and tear, and chemical damage. Testers found it surprisingly easy to clean. Treadmaster can handle cleaning with a pressure washer, but our test panel went from mud-caked to spotless with a quick once-over with a garden hose. We expected the deep crannies between the diamonds to trap dirt, but it washed away easily. However, testers did note that the pattern sometimes trapped pea-size gravel.
It comes in eight-plus colors. Prices vary by sheet size, but re-fitting the whole deck with Treadmaster would definitely be more expensive than painting it.
Bottom line: Treadmaster remains King of the Mats. It''s the PS Best Choice.

CONCLUSIONS
Treadmaster is our Best Choice. It’s pricier than pre-mixed paints and additives and will add weight to your boat that paints won’t, but it''s easy to apply, easy to clean, and the grippiest of them all. It’s also the most permanent; removing the epoxy would be a nightmare, so be sure it’s what you want and where you want it before you glue it to your deck.