Thursday, October 18, 2012

KiwiGrip Gives Great Ketch a Refreshing Look

During the late Spring this past year, I applied a new anti skid top on Great Ketch's deck and cockpit. After sanding and cleaning the prepared area, I applied the anti skid known as KiwiGrip using their special roller applicator, which allows one to control the depth of texture.

KiwiGrip hardens quickly and more so as the outside temperature rises, so I made sure to apply KiwiGrip section at a time in order to remove the outside masking tape while the Kiwi was still pliable. Also by working one section at a time, I was able to practice different pressures on the roller to see what kind of effect the various pressures made. The deck was given a more texture than the seats of the cockpit; using a smooth roller to apply KiwiGrip the cockpit seats were merely "painted."

Great Ketch is a free standing masts boat; therefore, it was important that the tracking on the deck was heavy. How can one grab onto a shroud while walking the deck where none exist?


In the picture provided with this post, one may note the hatches are in very good condition. This past winter, I completed the brightwork on the aft most hatch, and replaced the crazed lens with new dark grey .5 inch acrylic. The companionway hatch is this year's winter project.

For more information regarding KiwiGrip, please go to http://www.kiwigrip.com/