Charles,



The sugar deck was used a lot bu the guys who built wind surfers. It left a pretty good non-skid that was not too agressive as to take the skin off the bottom of your feet after they have been wet all day.



It was typically applied with a clear laquer because of the art work on the boards. Other paints will work but they must be thin. It was applied by sifting white table sugar over a coat of still wet laquer where you want the non skid. After the first coat with the sugar drys gently blow off the excess sugar. More or less can be removed to give more or less texture. Then coat the non skid again with laquer to seal in the sugar.



Note that the sugar never gets fully encased and will melt the first few times in the water. This will leave a nice clear finish for those special paint jobs.



Several boat manufactuers (Larson, Glastron, Welcraft) use the same basic technique with grit applied in regulat gel coat. This is a little more agressive and heavy but makes a good non skid. It also does not atract ants the first few times in the water. US Paint is one of the suppliers of this grit.



Good luck



Matt