Protecting the cabin sole

[RichardTaylor]

Our new boat (5 months old) is already showing scratches in the cabin sole which is a phenolic wood grain effect (From the brochure "Custom Tongue and Groove Cherry Phenolic Flooring"). Thinking about using a wax but afraid of making the sole too slippy.

Any thoughts on how to maintain the surface?

Thanks

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Carpet slippers?

Varnish is the obvious answer. Polish a definite no no.

 

[doug748]

It sounds like the floor is basically a laminate, like a bathroom floor, in which case, I think there is little to be done, except to keep it free of grit and never use street shoes on the boat.

I would not use wax as it tends to attract dirt and hold grit, as well as being slippy.

I like a bright, woody, boat floor myself but it is a slippy nightmare in socks. I always use house slippers below decks but, then again, I am a sensualist. At sea I lay down a 8ft by 3ft length of that stuff that non-slip mats are made of. You can get it cheaply, by the metre, at some pound shops now

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

We faced a similar problem on our new boat.

The only real solution is a "no shoes below" rule.

Failing that you can put down carpet.

If you can invent something that doesn't cover the wood up, stops scratches and isn't slippery you will make a fortune.