So your new sailboat is all done and all you need to do now is put the deck on. The question now is what type of deck to use. If you are building a sailboat for competition, you don't want wood, more weight than you want. So that leaves you with a "fabric" decking material.

The two fabrics that are available are MonoKote by Top Flite and Micafilm by Coverite. Of these two Micafilm is the lightest and the strongest. What makes Micafilm so strong and light weight is it does not have a complete coating of adhesive and the use of reinforcement mica fibers. For you sailmakers out there, it is the Clear Micafilm, which is used for sail making, so that should tell you of its quality.

Because of the tough mica fibers of Micafilm, the fiber is almost rip proof (I should know, it took me several attempts with a screw driver before I put a hole in my new deck.) This ultra-thin and ultra-light film weighs 0.75-1.3 oz./sq. yard! You can paint it if you must and it is unaffected by changes in weather.

To attach Micafilm to the deck beams of your sailboat is rather simple, if you do some things right first. First, you need to obtain the right adhesive called Balsarite by Coverite. Balsarite is a clear, easy to brush on, waterproof adhesive. There is only one important thing to remember, get Balsarite for Fabric and Micafilm. The other adhesive is only for film and will not work for Micafilm.

To apply Balsarite for fabric, lightly sand the wood and brush it on (one note, make sure the Balsarite is warm so it will brush on smooth, I warmed my can in a pan of hot water.) Once bushed on, let dry and then lay on your Micafilm with the fiber side down on the Balsarite surface. From there, just iron between 220 and 240 degrees F. To make the surface tight, pull the Micafilm as you iron.

Once done you can tack down loose edge spots with fast CA glue. To patch holes in the decking, just cut out a patch to fit, spread on a little fast CA glue and put on the patch, CA sticks very well.

Well, I hope this little bit of information of decking sailboats can help you if you are in the need for decking. I have used both MonoKote and Micafilm and I like Micafilm best between the two. Both works well, it is just Micafilm is easier. Good sailing!