Flexiteek

[s/v Moondancer]

Does anyone have experience with the synthetic teak decks, brand name, "Flexiteek"? Specifically durability and heat retention.

Phil

[estarzinger]

Flexiteek duribility pretty good but hot in the tropics.

my preference among artifical teak decks is Bolidt Esthec

I just finished a bunch of research on these alternatives for a big boat refiting I am helping on.

[stillbuilding]

Interesting comment for me given that I am approaching deckware.
Specifically any advantages for Esthec over Flexiteek?

[Talbot]

There is a similar product in UK called Tek-Dek. I cann't answer for the heat retention, but it's most impressive feature is that the wetter it is, the better the grip for shoes. However, it is a bit rough on the butt for sitting. Excellent choice for a swim platform or the steps up a canoe stern

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by stillbuilding

Interesting comment for me given that I am approaching deckware.
Specifically any advantages for Esthec over Flexiteek?

Esthrc has a wider range of shades available - so you can get a 'bleached teak' look that will be cooler in the tropics.

In some testing Flexiteek was the hard to clean stains from.

Esthec (at least in europe) could make bigger custom fit pieces meaning less installation time and fewer seams.

Honestly, they are all pretty good when you are comparing to natural teak - lighter and cheaper and longer lasting and easier to install.

[speedoo]

Are any of these synthetic products tough enough for decking on the foredeck to absorb the punishment of anchors, chain etc. around the windlass?

Also any opinions on which would be best to replace the teak inserts in the cockpit of my Beneteau? Requirements: easy and relatively inexpensive to install, and comfortable for sitting.

[beneteau-500]

i have done my yacht in aikona decking from flexitek and its very very good and my yacht is based in athens its easy to lay and install it has ben down now for three yrs and am about to do the sole boards in the same product

[goboatingnow]

flexiteek and aikona are made by the same company Aikona is a rigid base with a thing flexiteek top layer, and is designed for long straight runs. I have laid both aikona and flexiteek, Both get very very hot in strong sun , in the med my aikona/flexiteek will burn my feet, whereas the GRP is fine. Aikona seems to be slighly cooler then Flexiteek. Aikona cant really be sanded as its not a continous solid, however really both Flexiteek and Aikona can not be sanded like a conventional teak deck anyway

Despite what the blurb says , they do stain and some stains can etch into the top surface and can be very difficult to get out ( rather like teak,). Also dirt tends to get pushed into the surface layer and again like teak can be difficult to get out , though agressive power washing does shift most of it.

If you varnish it it looses all its non-slip properties.

I remain of two minds, its not cheaper then real teak, and if you are laying it piece by piece its only about 30-40% faster. Heat joining and bending it require an industrial quality heat gun the DIY types cant provide enough heat.