Sail Life · video

What this video covers

Applying KiwiGrip non-skid to the deck of the sailboat Athena requires careful surface preparation, including sanding with 120-grit paper and cleaning with alcohol.3:38 To achieve a consistent texture, the crew masks the deck into sections and uses a roller to distribute the material, noting that diluting the product produces a softer finish than using a notched trowel.17:22 The installation of a custom wooden toe rail made from ipe—a dense, durable Brazilian walnut—provides both a rub rail and a finished look for less than $1,000.9:08 The toe rail is secured to existing deck-hull joint brackets using through-bolts and butyl sealant, with end caps fitted for a clean finish.10:54 During electrical upgrades, a wiring error on the battery management system (BMS) connector caused a short, requiring a replacement unit.5:55 The project demonstrates that practicing application techniques on scrap plywood before working on the deck significantly improves the final result.2:06

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