Restoring Decks: Nonskid Options
We evaluated four paints, 10 additives, and three mats for slip resistance, ease of application, and appearance. Treadmaster's mat still rules, in our view. West Marine's paint is a Best Buy.
Clear Plastic Cleaners
All 14 products worked to some degree, but we were most impressed by the Armada 210 and Plexus among the sprays, the Dolphinite among the liquid pastes, and, as a Best Buy, the Mer-maids among the liquids.
PS Advisor: 01/15/03
Aluminum-Stainless CorrosionI have a problem with my pedestal steering mount. I have to move the instrument-mounting arms. I removed the securing screws, but the...
LED Lights: Low-Power, Long Life
The revolution continues. LEDs serve a growing range of uses on board.
HUM Bugs vs. the Pristine Tank
What is the crud that, if left to have its way, can foul your filters, starve the fuel pump, and bring your diesel engine...
Deck-Fill Fuel Filters
The expensive Baja filter, oft-mentioned in these pages, did very well in these tests—but West Marine's new Teflon-based filter did better for less, by means of a simple water-separating scheme.
Varnish Exposure Finale
After two years of constant exposure, the test frame is getting rickety, but the teak is sound, as are about a quarter of the varnish applications.
Chrome Cleaners
Collinite makes a great boat wax, but its #850 Metal Wax did not appear particularly effective and, at $10.95/pint, is fairly expensive as well....
Vinyl Cleaners
Waldo Semon, a rubber scientist in the early 1920s, had been tinkering around in search of a formula that would yield a synthetic adhesive....
Multi-Purpose Boat Poles
With boathook, mop, squeegee, and net attachments, telescoping poles save space aboard and are quite handy. The MPS Perfect Pole's no-look locking mechanism helps it earn top honors.