Ultimate fate of Ultimate Sole

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Nov 3rd, '09, 12:00

Somebody on another bulletin board reported that they are now unable to get Ultimate Sole.

I went on the Ultimate Sole website, and most of the pages have gone blank. So I sent an e-mail to the two guys who have been running the company.

I haven't yet received any response.

My hope is that they're busy visiting boat shows (Ft. Lauderdale, for example), and they are still in business.

Does anybody on this board--where I found out about their wonderful product--know the scoop?

BTW, I've got enough Ultimate Sole left over to re-do my 25D's very small cabin sole at least once more. But I really love the product, and would hate to have to find something else.

--Joe

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Nov 3rd, '09, 13:52

Hmmm, sure hate to think that another manufacturer catering to the boating industry has bit the dust. Try contacting one of these "Ultimate Sole" suppliers They may at least be able to tell you if Ultimate Sole is still in business.

BERMUDA: Pembroke Paint Company - Devonshire

CANADA:

NOVA SCOTIA: Inventive Marine Products, Ltd - 241 Bluewater Road - Bedford, NS 902-468-2611

ONTARIO: Port Whitby Marine Supplies - 1636 Charles St - Whitby, ON - 905-668-4077

UNITED STATES:

CT:

Hathaway, Reiser, & Raymond - 184 Selleck St - Stamford - 203-324-9581

Norwalk Cove Marina, Inc. - 48 Beach Road - East Norwalk - 203-838-5899

Rex Marine Center - 144 Water Street - South Norwalk - 203-831-5236

MD:

Fawcett Boat Supplies, Inc. - 110 Compromise St - Annapolis, MD - 410-267-8681

NY:

Obersheimer Sailor's Supply - 1884 Niagara Street - Buffalo, NY 14207 - 716-877-8221

Sailors Solutions Inc. - Long Island - Northport, NY 631-754-1945

OH:

Integrated Marine Systems - 3409 E. Liberty Ave, 2nd Flr - Vermilion, OH - 216-496-8976

RI:

New England Yacht Rigging - 1 Water Street - East Greenwich, RI - 401-884-1112

VA: (Elizabeth River - Mile Marker "0" on ICW)

Tidewater Yacht Agency, Inc.-Marina & Ship's Store -10 Crawford Pkwy - Norfolk, VA - 757-393-2525

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Nov 3rd, '09, 14:00

Looks like they did go out of business. I found this:

http://www.anything-sailing.com/ultimat ... 84&p=44477

Maine Sail · Post by **Maine Sail** » Nov 3rd, '09, 15:30

From what I was told by a good friend, who is a chemist, Ultimate Sole was basically gymnasium floor finish..

The link below will take you to a number of manufacturers and the requirements that gym floor finishes must meet.

Might even be able to find a quality finish for less money!

http://www.maplefloor.org/literature/finishlist.htm#gen

mgphl52 · Post by **mgphl52** » Nov 3rd, '09, 15:58

This stuff looks like it might be ideal...

<a href="http://www.parish-supply.com/gym_finish_hs_450.htm" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.parish-supply.com/images/0049005.jpg"></a>

but it'll take a LOT of cabin soles to use up 5 gallons...

-mike

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Nov 3rd, '09, 16:13

If Rod is correct, then a product called "Gym Seal," which was referenced on the other bulletin board, might also work.

Here's a link. (I haven't checked it out yet):
http://www.valsparglobal.com/val/resident/gymseal.jsp

mgphl52 · Post by **mgphl52** » Nov 3rd, '09, 17:24

Joe, I looked for that stuff and no one appears to have it in stock (at via online order). At least it does come in one gallon cans, when available.

Jim Walsh · Post by **Jim Walsh** » Nov 3rd, '09, 22:45

Joe, I had an employee several years ago who worked for a floor refinisher and they used Gym Seal exclusively. I' haven't heard the name for years but that it what he mentioned. He said they always applied three coats and it smelled horrible, but that was many years ago so the formulation may have been modified. They always applied with a fur applicator. I presume it was sheepskin. My own sole was last done with Cetol, by the PO, and has stood up quite well so I would stick with it.

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Nov 9th, '09, 14:02

Joe Myerson wrote:If Rod is correct, then a product called "Gym Seal," which was referenced on the other bulletin board, might also work.

Here's a link. (I haven't checked it out yet):
http://www.valsparglobal.com/val/resident/gymseal.jsp

I found the following information at: http://www.o-geepaint.com/ArchiCoats/cabot.shtml

".......Valspar is replacing both Valspar and McCloskey branded interior wood stains and finishes with the Cabot brand. Many of these cross over to new names and numbers but are the same color and consistency that folks have grown comfortable using. Some favorite colors like Light Oak are discontinued and completely sold out, others such as Pecan and Fruitwood have swapped names and some are only available in quarts and halfpints. Call us if you really want to get halfpints. ......

CABOTHANE
GymSeal Tung Oil Varnish has been replaced by a polyurethane. According to Tech service at McCloskey, the raw materials are no longer available.Cabothane is an extremely durable finish that remains flexible and withstands tough, high traffic areas like stairs and gym floors. It is resistant to scuff marks, mars, scratches and virtually all household chemicals. For use on: all types of wood flooring such as oak, pine, fir, birth, aspen, maple, cypress, mahogany and redwood.
This product replaces the venerable Gymseal, no longer available.
Do not use on plastic laminate floors or pre-finished factory wood flooring. ....."

So, look for Cabot Cabothane Polyurethane Floor Finish instead of McCloskey or Valspar Gymseal.

In addition to the polyurethane product, you can also get the Cabothane as a water-borne floor finish. I have no idea which would be better. ACE Hardware carries both products. Lowe's has the Cabothane Polyurethane finish. If it's not in the store, you may have to order it.

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Joe Myerson · Post by **Joe Myerson** » Nov 9th, '09, 20:09

Cathy et al:

The thing that I found so great about the late, great Ultimate Sole was the way they were glossy but not slippery, even when my boat shoes were wet.

Does anybody know if these various gym finishes have the same characteristic?

--Joe

Cathy Monaghan · Post by **Cathy Monaghan** » Nov 11th, '09, 11:42

My guess, and it's only a guess, is that it is a bit non-skid (when dry anyway) otherwise basketball players would be constantly slipping and falling.

Do you know any high school kids you can ask about the gym floor? It's been so long since I was in high school I can't remember if it was slippery or not.

Cathy
CD32 Realization, #3
Rahway, NJ
Raritan Bay

Ron M. · Post by **Ron M.** » Nov 11th, '09, 12:55

Very slippery when wet. That's why they're always toweling off the sweat when a player goes down.
________

tartansailor · Post by **tartansailor** » Nov 11th, '09, 15:00

Colloidal silica is the additive added by paint manufacturers to
impart anti slip character.

Dick

Bob Lincoln · Post by **Bob Lincoln** » Feb 20th, '10, 10:59

I have been searching for Ultimate Sole and like some of you have found their web pages blank.I called one of their retail locations and was told they are out of stock. The company has apparently gone out of business; however the original owner may buy it back according to the company in Ct that I called. If the original owner buys it back the plan is to make the product available again under a different name. I am now debating if I should call the other retail locations for a qt. or just go with varnish. Problem is I may not be able to get any when it's time to refinish.

Bob Lincoln · Post by **Bob Lincoln** » Feb 20th, '10, 11:11

I have just spoken with Rex Marine Ctr. and they tell me to owner of Ultimate Sole started the company for something to do in retirement and it really took off. The company that packaged the product stopped making qt. sizes and only wanted to do 5 gal. containers.
The last Rex Marine knew he was trying to sell the company to Tartan. That was two months ago. I'll check their web site now.

The Cape Dory Board

Ultimate fate of Ultimate Sole

Ultimate fate of Ultimate Sole

As far as I understand it

Another possible replacement

Gym Seal

Re: Cabot Cabothane replaced Valspar Gymseal....

Are they nonskid?

gym floor

Anti Slip

Ultimate Sole Correction