To Teak or not to Teak... that is the Question

[ssanzone]

this is not the typical teak deck post that expands on the total misery of repairing / replacing / refinishing an old / tired / leaking / rotted teak deck...

does anyone install new teak these days?

i mean i love the look and have just finished re-coring and glassing / fairing the deck and cabin top in preparation for paint.

can someone talk me out of spraying the cabin and laying down teak on the deck?

boat is a newport 41 with a good amount of teak in the cockpit and companionway and sole and all mahogany below deck.

obviously i would glue it down and not use screws.

thoughts?

-steve

[Jimbo485]

Masochist?

[ssanzone]

i recall hearing something akin to 'there is pleasure in the pain' in every bad movie.

just saying.

-s

[noelex 77]

.. ..

[Mimsy]

Have you priced it out yet?

[Wrong]

If my boat does not attract a buyer it will most likely be because teak isn't all shiny with varnish. Otherwise, teak is a very durable wood for use in the marine environment. Supply is down however for a variety of reasons, so cost is up.

[Cheechako]

are you talking about down below, in the companionway or on deck... unclear....
If the decks, the answer is "hell no"

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

are you talking about down below, in the companionway or on deck... unclear....
If the decks, the answer is "hell no"

Gee, Cheech, that seems harsh to me!

How about " while the teak might be aesthetically pleasing, it would be a fiscal mistake followed by tedious maintenance followed by removal of the remaining teak material"?

Cheers,

Jim

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Gee, Cheech, that seems harsh to me!

How about " while the teak might be aesthetically pleasing, it would be a fiscal mistake followed by tedious maintenance followed by removal of the remaining teak material"?

Cheers,

Jim

Yeah,you said it better! But then, you didnt own the teak albatross in my avatar to the left!

[Mimsy]

I just think at a rough estimate of $10,000+ if you DIY, there is a whole lot of other things I could buy to pretty up my boat.

[Julie Mor]

I'm no expert but I did a lot of research when considering boats to buy with teak decks. We ended up taking them all off the list. But here's what I learned:

Around here teak goes for about $30 bd/ft. That's rough cut. Not sure what deck planked mill would run. I've seen videos of the installation and it is very labor intensive if done properly. I do a lot of woodworking and I know wood doesn't like to bend the way you want it to. There are not many straight teak planks on a deck. So they have to be properly secured to the deck. And if you screw it down you, have all those holes that could later create water infiltration problems.

There are substitutes, such as Nu Teak, that don't present the installation or maintenance issues. The pictures look great. I've never walked on a fake teak deck but I have seen one. At a distance, it was hard to tell is wasn't real teak. It might be worth a look.

If you want to keep your teak deck looking pretty, it has to be cleaned regularly, like once a week, minimum. Each time you take a brush to it some of the fibers are washed away, even with the gentlest of brushes. Many experienced with teak decks recommend cleaning it with a very soft brush and salt water. The salt is absorbed into the teak and helps keep it moist. The deck will remain new looking but it is wearing away.

Teak decks are certainly gorgeous. But like most beautiful things, there's a price to maintain them as they age.

[sailpower]

Here are some sources of folks you might want to talk to about your options:


Teak Deck Company: Home

http://www.teakdecking.com/index.php...d=1&Itemid=101

Teak Decking, Teak & Holly Deck Panels, Teak Wood Lumber and Swim Platforms | MaritimeWoodProducts.com

[Cheechako]

Another consideration is the type of teak being sold today, I forget which is which, but Burma or Thai or... etc teak are different..... and reportedly most sold today is not the "teak of old"... not as weather resistant etc.

[ssanzone]

i am talking about the decks. below deck is already all teak and mahogany (in addition to hatches etc).

thanks to a huge cabin top, i am only looking at about 150 sq feet of actual deck so it wont be breaking the bank the way it will be breaking my back (and knees and shoulders).

without any risk of core damage, what is the real deterrent (besides price)?

i can do the foredeck in one piece and the narrow deck surfaces in 2 runs. i would ship lap the sections and anchor them with bungs.

-steve

[Cheechako]

It's a big messy job. You will be making the boat worth less $ than it is now, most everyone is looking for the opposite... non teak decks. But heck, if you want it that bad.... "there is nothing, absolutely nothing quite worthwhile as messing about in boats..."