Two dumb questions

[davef]

1) I'm looking to paint the cockpit of my 20' daysailer and am looking for recommendations. The cockpit is constructed from Okume and has been rough sanded and the gross sections faired with thickened WEST. I'm going to continue to fair but am wondering if there is a point where this makes no sense given that I'm looking to paint the cockpit white. I'd like to brush on the paint and would prefer a filling primer that would fill in some of the nicks. Any suggestions? What about no-slip surfaces?

2)I'm looking to add a "rub rail" at the shear line intersection between the hull and the deck. What the heck are these things called anyway? Any suggestions on a species of wood that would fit the bill well for this spot on the boat.

Thanks...

Dave

[ishmael]

Dave,

"Rubrail" is fine. Outwhale... at the gunwhale? ;)

The painting, and how smooth to get it, is both a matter of taste and how glossy the paint you choose. Flatter=less smoothing neccessary. See the current WB about paint selection.

Some anti-skid on the cockpit floor would be good, but not on the sides. Bare legs and all.

Best,

Jack

[Walcheren]

Re slippery floors you might want to read a lengthy discussion under the heading "slippery floor in an open boat" in this, the building and repair section. This started in November and the last post was December 22nd.'02. Hope that will help you in your decision making. Dirk

[Mrleft8]

I still say golf cleats are the best way to avoid slipping onboard.... Less expensive than paint too I bet....

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Go for a satin or semi gloss, and pick a non skid from one of the leading paint companies. Either that or add some walnut shells in a standard enamel.. not tooooo much tho.

[Dave Fleming]

PMJ, that is ***crushed Walnut Shells***, eh?

[ishmael]

Ohh...so ya have crush them first. I wondered why they were darned hard on the feet. :D

[Dave Fleming]

Jack, LOL>>>>>

[doorstop]

Use whole walnuts.... emergency rations and all that old chap! :D

[Dutch Rub]

I like to coat my decks with popcorn mixed in with a base of a thick latex enamel- and no you dont pop the corn.

[David Usitalo]

I understand there is such a thing as "ground rubber" that you can broadcast over the fresh, wet surface for traction, which might be a little kinder than sand or walnuts.. I haven't tried it, has anyone else? Regards, David Usitalo

[Armedmariner]

Exceptional paint for use over epoxy is System Three's LPU paint with crosslinkers. Check them out on their website. Expensive stuff though, $95 a gallon. But, it bonds to the resin well. You can get 12 standard colors (white being one of them) and you can mix in non-skid. I have found the System Three tech help people excellent.

[Mike Field]

.
Well, the paint question seems to have been dealt with pretty well.

As for the "rub-rail," that's what Americans generally seem to call them. More correctly, they're called rubbing-strakes.

There's a difference of opinion on the timber. Some prefer a softwood as it absorbs shock better than hardwoods. Others prefer hardwood on the basis that it doesn't show up the dings as much. I favour hardwood myself for that reason, but either way I think it's good to consider a rubbing-strake as being sacrificial eventually.
.

[Mrleft8]

For the rubrail..... I prefer old bandsaw blades welded together to form a kind of giant "rasp". It keeps other boats from getting too close to you, and it actually helps a lot when some "Yachty" yells "STARBOARD", on a port tack. He then notices your rubrails, and makes bouy room for you, no matter what..... :D