Musto Skiff FAQ provided by Brennan Robinson (RSA 561)
One of the jobs that is likely to find its way onto your maintenance at some point is replacing the grip tape on the racks. It can be a bit of an uphill job but below are some top tips to get it done with minimal fuss.
What you'll need:
- Replacement grip tape, 75mm wide. All varieties are available online from Ovington. Progrip is the cheapest, but doesn’t last as well as the others and is a pain to remove; Safetywalk was ubiquitous at a point, was easy to work with, mid-price range, could eat through wetsuits if you’re not careful; Harken grip tape costs more, but lasts well, doesn’t chow your wetsuit, is easy to work with and grips phenomenally – most guys around the top of the fleet use this.
- Scissors or utility knife
- Heat gun or hair dryer
- Scraper, putty knife or old credit card Solvent (e.g. thinners or acetone) Rubber gloves
- Rags or paper towels
- Masking tape (optional)
Step 1: Remove the Old Tape
Warm the tape: Use a heat gun or hair dryer through the inside of the tube to soften the adhesive. Don’t overheat—the racks are aluminium, so heat transfers quickly.
Peel off: Start from a corner and peel the grip tape back slowly. Use a scraper if needed to lift stubborn sections.
Remove old residue: This is the most un-fun part but it is worth doing properly. It’s highly recommended to remove as much as you can to maximise the quality of the job and the life of your new tape. Wipe the racks with solvent (acetone or IPA) to get rid of leftover glue. Soaking the rag in solvent and draping over sticky patches for a minute helps. Repeat until the surface feels smooth and clean.
Step 2: Prepare the Racks
This is a good time to check the bare rack for corrosion or other damage. Sand lightly if needed to roughen up the surface and prevent the tape from lifting.
Wipe once more with solvent to ensure no grease, dust, or moisture remains.
Step 3: Cut & Position the New Tape
- Measure the length of rack sections where tape will go.
- Cut strips of grip tape to size. Leave a few extra millimetres overhang—you’ll trim flush later.
- Optional masking: Apply masking tape along the rack edges if you want super-clean lines.
Step 4: Apply the New Tape
- Peel back a short section of backing from the grip tape.
- Align carefully at one end of the rack.
- Stick gradually, peeling backing as you press the tape down along the rack. Use firm pressure to avoid bubbles.
- Work from the centre outward to ensure even adhesion.
Tip: Once it sticks, it’s hard to reposition. Go slow.
Step 5: Finish & Secure
- Trim edges neatly with a sharp blade.
- Seal edges: Warm the tape gently with the heat gun (from the inside of the tube) and press firmly to improve bonding.
- It’s recommended to press the tape down firmly while the glue firms up. Some recommend weighing it down with something heavy. There is the option of wrapping it with cling film overnight, but this is a bit ugly from a single-use plastic POV.
Step 6: Get on the water and enjoy your new grip!
Want to get more rigging tips and advice from various Musto Skiff boat owners? Check out our “Pimp My Skiff” page, which is based on the most asked questions within the class.
Got something to ask about the Musto Skiff?
Share your boat related questions with the international class committee at [email protected] and you might just see it featured in a future ‘FAQ: Topic of the Month’ on our class website or in our monthly class newsletter.
Image Credit: © Emilio Santinelli
