Sailing Umavideo
Spending an entire week figuring out what tool to use… | Step 411
October 4, 2024 · 20 min · 94K views
What this video covers
Removing old KiwiGrip non-skid coating from a boat deck requires testing multiple tools to balance material removal speed with surface preservation. A standard chisel effectively removes the coating but requires frequent sharpening, while a variable-speed grinder risks cutting too deep into the underlying primer.0:55 A multi-tool equipped with a scraper blade offers precision in tight areas, but a simple, inexpensive manual scraper with replaceable blades proves most efficient for large, flat sections of the deck.8:36 After clearing the non-skid, the crew removes a heavy stainless steel solar arch and solid solar panels that have been installed for nine years.15:30 They plan to replace the rigid panels with lighter, modern flexible solar technology to reduce weight aloft and improve the vessel's heeling moment.16:02 Finally, the crew uses a truck-mounted winch to safely lower a heavy life raft from the deck, avoiding the need for a manual pulley system.17:02 Manual scrapers with replaceable blades outperform power tools for removing thick non-skid coatings because they maintain a consistent edge without damaging the substrate.14:12
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