Cheap deck non-skid that works well.

[boblamb]

Ahoy Mates;
   Here's a thot from a chronic "do-it-yourselfer" boat guy.  Why couldn't you put canvas trimmed to the shape of the non-skid surface and soak it in latex paint.  (I did that on the top of my pilothouse several years ago and it's still holding up well)
   Hmmmmm...think I may do that sometime soon 

Bob By the Sea
Recently relocated to Dunedin, Florida

[tomwatt]

Sherwin-Williams has a number of single part polyurethane enamels that would easily correspond to the "boat" enamels usually used for this kind of paint topcoat. I have been putting together a list of them, can post it if anyone likes...
at any rate, the plus for these kinds of items is they can be tinted (in the paint store) to any color that suits.
The drawback is that they would be a gallon purchase minimum. SW doesn't make their industrial/marine products in little cans.

[SamHunter]

I use the sand-in-wet paint, epoxy, varnish, etc etc trick all the time.  Works great!

Only caveat, noted above, is that the sand MUST be CLEAN and Sifted.

I tend to use a small bag of "Play Sand" from Lowe's,. Home Depot, Ace, etc.  It is already clean and sifted, and has one of my favorite qualities... relatively cheap!

What I most often do is to paint the overall area and let that dry/cure.  Then, I tape off the intended non-skid area, then apply a coat of paint/varnish/whatever.  Soon after application, I sprinkle on some sand, varying the amount of sand according to how aggressive a non-skid I want.  My favorite "tool" for this is an old Pint paint can with some small holes punched in the top.  An old (big) salt shaker works well too (just don't confuse salt and sand... confusion causes unpleasant surprises whether painting or eating   

It has become a habit for me to later overcoat at least once or twice (after brushing or vacuuming off the excess sand after the first coat drys).

FWIW: this also provides a nice, slight contrast in color even when using the same color as the base.

[s/v Faith]

Sam,

  Thanks for the verification.  I am still very happy with mine... I like the sand in the epoxy since it has not broken down like sand in the paint does.

  I used sand from onslow beach... washed and dried in the oven.  Next coat will be from my local area here.  Funny, I like the idea of the local sand being part of the boat.

  I am weird with stuff like that. (well, maybe more then that).