Teak Decking

[Peter Owen]

In my continuing search for that one boat that I like and can afford - it just has to be out there - I have so far shy'ed away from boats with teak decks cos, while they are nice to look at, I'm really much more comfortable with something cooler on my feet

I have, however, just recently come across a couple of interesting boats where the teak decking is in poor condition and I'm wondering what the alternatives might be to like for like replacement; most likely situation is that underlying deck is GRP but ....

Sorry, I can't be more precise but I am just looking to get a feel for alternatives and the effort involved - thanks for your help

Peter

[redbopeep]

Some teak-decked boats have fiberglass decks under it--for example, I have a friend whose CT 54 was built that way. That teak deck could be removed and the underlying deck used (with a deck antiskid, etc...). It seems that many boats which were built with "choice" of teak deck or not had that sort of construction where the teak was an "add on". On the other hand many boats were built with plywood decks that had teak laid over them. When the teak leaks, the plywood rots and degrades--there's a whole mess to deal with there.

If you choose to remove a teak deck, you should know (from the builder or owners group, etc) if the teak deck was structural or not. If it was, you'll have to figure out how to replace it with a structural alternative.

I know some folks who have painted their laid deck for many years because of not wanting the heat on their feet and not wanting the maintenance issues of the seam compound as it degrades. Their boat is a mid-50's build "traditional" schooner and the painted deck looks great in context. It would look fine on my friend's CT or many of the Taiwanese boats which are somewhat "shippy" and traditional looking. Painting a teak deck on a modern boat with sugar scoop transom, etc, well that might look really tacky. Teak is an oily wood and there are tricks to painting it so the paint stays put...I rather doubt that you're considering this option so I won't get into it further...

Good luck!

[MMNETSEA]

As you read this another huge area of natural forest is cleared, every day :-



Peter, if you go to this LINK ,

This British company's deck covering is an excellent product, hard wearing and gives a good non-slip surface. Is easy to apply.

Richard

[Nausikaa]

Also these good products:

FLEXITEEK

TEK-DEK

Aye // Stephen

[MMNETSEA]

With permission from the author, here is a really good article on how to maintain and caulk teak decks - click H E R E

[Peter Owen]

Thanks for the inputs, everyone.

In my simplstic way, I'd rather hoped that there was some sort of skimming approach to producing a new surface but I guess that that could be achieved with a completely fitted approach to the installation of something like a standard treadmaster after removing the old teak.

I guess that Tek Dek etc gets over the burning feet problem while retaining some of the original's pleasing aesthetic qualities but it leaves me with an uncomfortable all too even, "fake tan" sort of feeling.

I guess that I'm actually going to have to get a far better idea of what's actually under any failed teak decking and how difficult it's going to be to remove it - maybe, I'll just have to learn to live with a retention and repair strategy or continue to shy away from boats with teak decks!

The article on teak deck repair was really interesting and has served to convince me that, other than very small areas, this is probably something to be avoided by even the most enthusiastic of amateurs!

Oh well, back to the boat search!