Factors to Consider When Choosing a Non-Skid Surface for Your Boat Deck

\When discussing sports fishing, most people will touch on the best quality fishing rods that one should buy, while some will point to the importance of having the correct stance. All these are important if you want to come out on top during recreational fishing with friends. However, the area where you put your feet on will determine your stance and well as your performance. Since a boat's deck will get wet when fishing, the grip between your feet and the surface you are standing on needs to be as strong as possible. Choosing the wrong non-skid deck covering will cause slippery conditions and, consequently, injuries. This article focuses on factors that should guide you when selecting a non-skid deck covering.

The Angle of Slip

While almost all non-skid materials will prevent some level of slip, it is critical to note each material's angle of slide. The angle refers to the inclination point where one is likely to slip when a surface is angled. Ideally, an excellent non-skid cover for a boat's deck should be able to avoid sliding on a relatively steep point.

For instance, a surface made from fibreglass grit will prevent slippage even when the ramp is angled at 39 degrees. Such a coating has enough grip that can avert slippage on board. However, it is vital for the consideration to factor in both wet and dry surfaces. A non-skid surface might work as intended when dry, but it can become overly slippery when wet. Therefore, make sure that you consider a material's angle of slip both when dry and when wet.

Water Draining Capabilities

As mentioned previously, once a boat is on water it is impossible to avoid water from reaching the deck. As such, it is critical to go for non-skid materials that can drain water quickly from the deck. It is worth pointing that some materials are non-slippery, but they do a poor job of removing water.

For instance, a standard boat carpet has enough grip when dry, but once you get water on it, it will retain most of it, thereby losing its traction. When shopping for a non-skip deck surface cover, ensure that its design allows water to drain off quickly from the deck and back into the ocean. 

Water Proof Adhesives

Depending on a manufacturer, non-skid surface covers are kept in place in a variety of ways. However, there are two common ways: use of an adhesive underneath the cover or interlocking of design covers. Surfaces that rely on adhesives to stay in place are preferred by most boat owners because they do not have to worry about the surface shifting underneath their feet. As such, you should ensure that the adhesive is waterproof because most of them tend to lose their grip on a boat's surface in under a year. The best bonding material should be waterproof, and it should show no signs of peeling after the first year of usage. 

For more tips on choosing boat decking material, contact a company that offers marine services.