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01-12-2016, 14:00
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#31
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 28
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
We replaced our teak-deck on our own. Our italian boat is a 41ft full flush-teakdeck sailing cruiser built in 1979. Carpenters asked for 25,000-30,000 Euro to do the job. In 2009 we spent 2,5 manmonths of work to do it on our own, and 5,000Euro for the wood, consumables and all req-d equipment and power-tools. The old teak had been glued (no screws) by epoxy resin. Since the old teakwood had been weathered away but the glue was still in good shape, it took us a week of tough work to dismantle the old teakwood (and glue). We used again epoxy to glue the new teak (no screws). After 7 years of use the new teakwood is perfectly in place and has lost about 0,5mm of its thickness. This year our first maintenance was to replace some seams, but it’s not a problem since the epoxy doesn’t let the water pass below.
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01-12-2016, 14:21
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#32
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Finland
Boat: Nauticat 32
Posts: 974
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
We have a 19 years old boat with lots of teak in all places. So far we haven't had any problems with its teak decks.
If you want to buy a boat with teak decks, check the bungs, worn out places, and thickness of teak in general. The original thickness of the teak decks may vary.
Many comments said that teak decks require lots of maintenance. Our policy is however quite the opposite. We don't do any maintenance work, except one soft wash once a year, and when there is some specific need (e.g. because of bird droppings). If you sand them or scrub them, they will wear out sooner. We also try to avoid bringing sand on the deck in ur shoes. We like our teak decks natural - grey when they are dry, and brown when they are wet. They are not really a decoration to us, but just a useful feature. We like the looks of the wooden interior and decks though. Teak decks are not slippery, and they feel nice under your foot. You probably need to wash a white deck much more often than a teak deck since you can easily see all minor dirt on a white deck .
Our boat does not have core in the deck (it is solid GRP), so although the teak deck has fasteners, there is no risk of rotting core (and low probability of leaks too). If you want to avoid risks of cored decks, you could get e.g. a Nauticat.
If you buy a worn out teak deck and want to replace that with a new one, that will cost you lots of money. But there are also other cheaper alternative materials. Quite a lot of work required also in that case. You could do the work in cheaper countries like in Thailand.
Teak might not be the best material in hot tropics because it is dark and therefore also hot. Maybe something white could be more practical there. In cooler climates catching the rays of the sun is a positive feature. Our teak deck dries quite fast after rain.
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01-12-2016, 14:50
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#33
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Queensland, Australia
Boat: Endeavourcat 30
Posts: 238
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Our World Explorer 45' ketch had teak decks. Beautiful, great to walk on and only about 10% of the screws leaked. The trouble was, we could not find out which 10%. After removing about 250, filling the voids with West epoxy resin and only a thousand or so to go, I bailed out. OK, it rained inside when it rained outside. If we shipped a greenie it rained salt water inside. If you buy one of these beautiful yachts, and they mostly are very seakindly, buy a few umbrellas.
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01-12-2016, 16:21
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#34
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
Boat: 1988 Wilbur 34
Posts: 290
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Been there. Plain and simple, continue to avoid.
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01-12-2016, 16:56
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#35
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: On the Boat
Boat: Oyster 55
Posts: 659
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Owned a 50 foot boat for 15 years.
Teak deck was new when purchased, professionally done by known craftsman.
Boat also had a 6 inch teak toerail and a virtual teak forest down below.
Pampered the deck, no brushing, salt water wash downs etc.
When sold the deck was still in good shape because of the care it was given and the resealing of various areas.
Would NEVER have another one.
BUT I still admire them.
Although you also need to stay after a glass deck by checking for leaks around fittings. Core saturation can be a big problem.
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01-12-2016, 18:30
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#36
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: San Francisco Bay
Boat: Chung Hwa Boat Builders, Magellan 36
Posts: 446
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
what about the few boats with solid teak decks. No glass/ply sandwich. these might leak here or there but the rotten core issue is no longer. Granted these are mostly on wooden boats but I have seen one or two that had fiberglass hulls
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01-12-2016, 19:04
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#37
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Diego CA
Boat: Liberty 458
Posts: 2,205
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
We replaced the teak deck on our Liberty 458 last year. Only a few pieces up for'd were damaged.
It was repairable but grey teak looks horrible imho.
We replaced with a pvc teak replacement. Better non grip, no screws, consistent color.
We removed 1300 screws and had no leaks or deck damage.
Not cheap but I detest non skid and gelcoat decks.
Sent from my SM-N900T using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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01-12-2016, 19:11
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#38
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Boat: Tayana 58 DS
Posts: 763
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
We have teak decks on our 2005 boat. They installation was glued down, although the did put in about a half dozen screws -I don't know why.
After 11 years and a lot of use, the rubber between the teak planks is coming out in places. Although the teak is thick, the grooves are not and the deck should probably be regrooved.
I do find them nonstick to bare feet.
One thing that I love about them is that they never look dirty. My wife would have us cleaning the decks constantly if we had gel coat decks (like our cabin top- not teak)
They are often hot in the tropics. This isn't an issue underway, hopefully, because the sea often wets the decks more frequently than they can dry. At anchor in the tropics, the deck does feel hot on the toes; however, hosing down the decks with a wash down hose (should I setup l lawn sprinkler on deck?!@?) not only cools the deck, but also removes heat from the boat through evaporative cooling and can make it feel cooler below decks.
All in all, I would be inclined to purchase another boat with teak decks, although I would want to make sure they were installed without opening paths for water intrusion of the deck.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app
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01-12-2016, 19:37
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#39
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, sailing in the Med.
Boat: Beneteau, Oceanis 50 G5
Posts: 1,295
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailorbob8599
I get really pissed off at 'put-down' comments by some who possibly have never owned a boat with teak decks. Just because you own a boat and don't want to spend time doing teak maintenance, doesn't necessarily make you an expert on the subject. For instance, you don't know if another persons problem with a teak deck was created by, or for, a lack of general care, but you appear to jump on it and perpetuate the issue as if it were your own experience.
On my 24 ft. LOD cruising boat of similar dimensions to Pardey's original Serraffyn, I not only have teak decks but also teak capped Coamings, teak Hatches, teak Cockpit Seats as well as a teak Grid in the cockpit. Furthermore, I have a custom teak grid on the Boom-kin for outside storage of my propane tank, and of course another lovely teak grid on the Bowsprit.
Call me a masochist if you like, I just don't give a damn however, if teak is so undesirable to all you folk making derogatory comments on its use, why is it so many other boat owners on my dock and the few dock walkers we often meet, always stop to admire MY boat, but casually walk by most all other boats, almost as if they were not there?
So, for all you naysayers out there, a properly installed deck is pure beauty in my opinion. Living in the PNW, heat is not a major issue so I cannot comment about use of teak in hot climates. Neither will I do like so many of you and "generalize" on the subject when in fact, conditions differ all over the world as well as the north American continent. Believe me folks, the world does NOT end at the borders of the U.S.A., even (if) you do call that old British kids game of "Rounders" that you play (renamed Baseball) ... The 'World' Series!!! ... Hah!
My deck was professionally installed by "Anglo Marine" a business located at Shelter Island Marina in Delta, B.C. ... The 1-1/2" wide teak strips are a full 7/16" thick. A layer (or coating) of a black synthetic rubber product was applied to the properly prepared glass deck, as well as the underside of all the teak. Installed on the deck, it was vacuum bagged, giving it an even atmospheric pressure clamping force over every square inch of the deck, permanently bonding the teak to the glass. It was left under pressure for about 72 hours before the vacuum pump was shut off. There are no fasteners used at all over the entire installation. THIS is the proper way to install a teak deck in this day and age.
You don't have to go to Taiwan to get a professional job done, all you have to do is take a page from your President Elect's book. Find the nearest 'right' company to do the job and support your neighbour and local economy.
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Some nice balance - thank you
Our decks are the modern, thin strips, glued down to a fibreglass deck with just a few screws here and there. We very much enjoy the look and the feel underfoot (safe!).
The old adage of keeping wet with salt water does not work for me. The teak wears away, and goes grey.
We regularly are asked if our boat is brand new, and when we say it's (now) at the end of it's 5th season, we are asked how we keep our teak looking new.
Easy - once a year (except this year we didn't), we spend around two hours (let's say 4 man-hours max between the two of us) applying a fresh coat of Semco. That's it !
Think about it - if you have bare wood, it is getting wet, and dirty, and wearing. If you have the wood sealed, it is not getting wet or dirty, or wearing - the sealer is copping all of that. So - how can the deck wear out if it has a coat of sealer on top, and that is maintained? Effectively it can't, and ours isn't.
Of course the caulking will need maintenance at some stage, and then at some stage further, it will need replacing, but so far all is well, and for us, the few hours a year are well worthwhile, and at some point down the track - well boats need maintaining. We spend more time polishing the hull than we do keeping the teak sealed and looking new!
Here is what our decks look like after 5 seasons, and over a year since they were re-coated. First photo after re-coating in early June 2015, second late July 2016. In the Med, where the water is wet, and the sun is hot. If you look closely you will see some areas in the second photo (no idea why it went sideways when I uploaded it!), that are just starting to grey - need to re-coat next year!
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01-12-2016, 20:02
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#40
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Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Boat: Cheoy Lee, Pedrick 41, 40'-10"
Posts: 1
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Jim,
I am by no means an expert on teak decks, and while I've been poking around sailboats for the past 43 years, I can't really say I'm much of an expert about sailboats. But I do have a short story that might be helpful, and one bit of information that could save you thousands of $$.
In 2014 my wife and I inherited a wonderful 41' 1986 Cheoy Lee (a Pedrick 41 after her designer David Pedrick). She was a little worn; otherwise, she is a great sailboat. We've spent the past three summers sailing her on the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, and updating every and all systems. Except the teak deck. We dutifully put the four Tupperware bowls that my father-in-law put under the deck drips for the past 30 years. But each Spring found the leaks significantly worse than the year before, until this fall when we knew we had to do something. A search on the internet introduced me to a local teak expert who seemed to know what he was doing. Andy Miller, of Miller Boatworks. He's very good. He came out to the boat with his moisture meter, set it on the deck and the cabin-trunk, and diagnosed that the core was saturated. I use moisture meters in my work so I knew that he was not drumming up business. Given that my wife and I are preparing the boat as a live-aboard, and given that she's paid for, we have decided to take the plunge with a new teak deck (adhered, by Teak Deck Systems in Sarasota), new core and fiberglass. it will be a four month project this coming winter. This repair is setting us back the cost of a nice older 40' boat, but what can we do? My wife won't live in a wet home and I can't replace this boat for twice what i'm paying. So here we go. My suggestion: don't buy a boat with a teak deck because at least a few of those 2,800 puncture holes will leak. And if the boat freezes, the saturated deck will blow apart the fiberglass above, sending things down-hill fast. But if you MUST have a teak deck and you don't have $50-$60k looking for something to do, I recommend (this is the piece of good advice, listen up) I recommend that you spend $150 on a good moisture meter, learn how to read it, and check every square foot of deck of any prospective boat. Even without the teak, you should check the core as our cabin-trunk is saturated from a few leaky hatches and a crummy maintenance regimen.
Good luck Jim and enjoy your boat search - that's so much fun.
Chris
s/v Morning Winds
Bayfield, WI
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01-12-2016, 22:11
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#41
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Adelaide, South Australia, sailing in the Med.
Boat: Beneteau, Oceanis 50 G5
Posts: 1,295
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisHartnett
Jim,
I am by no means an expert on teak decks, .......
I recommend that you spend $150 on a good moisture meter, learn how to read it, and check every square foot of deck of any prospective boat. Even without the teak, you should check the core as our cabin-trunk is saturated from a few leaky hatches and a crummy maintenance regimen.
Good luck Jim and enjoy your boat search - that's so much fun.
Chris
s/v Morning Winds
Bayfield, WI
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Now that's a great recommendation Chris - thank you (added to my list).
Does anyone have any recommendations on brand and model?
Thanks again,
David
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02-12-2016, 12:18
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#42
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Surrey, B.C. Canada
Boat: Passage 24/30 Cutter
Posts: 683
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
I've noticed a couple of posts mention a need to "re-groove" their deck. I suggest that's because the installers took the lazy way of creating the caulk groove by cutting a rebate along one edge of the teak strip.
The teak on my deck has no rebate, Each strip is laid separately, using 3/16" plastic spacers. These were removed once the synthetic rubber had 'set'. The resultant holes were then filled with the caulking gun prior to receiving a final sanding.
This means each individual strip of teak is separated only by 'syn-rubber'. They do not rely on a rebate and touching each other to provide a groove.
As most of you will know, all wood, including teak will swell and contract when wet or dry conditions prevail. If teak strips are butted against each other, they will soon start to buckle.
For a long life, I recommend having a professional lay your new teak deck, or bone up on the correct procedure if you choose to do it yourself.
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02-12-2016, 13:24
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#43
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SC
Boat: None,build the one shown of glass, had many from 6' to 48'.
Posts: 10,208
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sailorbob8599
I've noticed a couple of posts mention a need to "re-groove" their deck. I suggest that's because the installers took the lazy way of creating the caulk groove by cutting a rebate along one edge of the teak strip.
The teak on my deck has no rebate, Each strip is laid separately, using 3/16" plastic spacers. These were removed once the synthetic rubber had 'set'. The resultant holes were then filled with the caulking gun prior to receiving a final sanding.
This means each individual strip of teak is separated only by 'syn-rubber'. They do not rely on a rebate and touching each other to provide a groove.
As most of you will know, all wood, including teak will swell and contract when wet or dry conditions prevail. If teak strips are butted against each other, they will soon start to buckle.
For a long life, I recommend having a professional lay your new teak deck, or bone up on the correct procedure if you choose to do it yourself.
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I doubt I have ever seen teak butted. The caulking seems to fail along with the bungs? Possibly new caulk is better. Teak is by nature an oily wood so a bond may be difficult?
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02-12-2016, 13:49
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#44
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Sitka, Alaska
Boat: William Garden Ketch
Posts: 176
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Sari Timur has had teak decks her entire life. I replaced them 28 years ago and also cut the deck off and replaced it with solid fiberglass then reteaked. About 12 years ago I hired some carpenters by the hour to lift the teak off the foredeck, clean and reinstall as the teak was still very thick. I was taken to the cleaners because of the hourly charge. Another carpenter bid lump sum to do the aft deck with new teak and glued 9 years ago. Made me sad to see all of that nice teak go to waste but it was by far cheaper and now I don't have those gazillion bungs in the after deck. Other than those big jobs I find teak is basically zero maintenance. However all those painted bits on my boat seem to need redoing about every six years.
Oh Sari Timur has been my home for almost thirty years most of that in the tropics very close to the equator in both Asia and Africa an I found they kept the boat cooler than the plastic fantastics as an occasional bucket of saltwater poured over the deck had an immediate effect and cooled the boat quickly. We are now in Alaska and I wonder how they will hold up over the winter but I know that they did better than my paint did last winter.
But in answer to your question if you like beauty go with teak. It is not more maintenance than paint just the opposite. And for those people that say they are too hot and take too much time away from sailing I would question their integrity as Sari Timur has sailed to a lot of places and as I said before most of them within a few hundred miles of the equator.
But then that is only my opinion and like sailor bob says people stop by or even go out of their way to talk to me about how nice our boat looks. And they have just walked past at least 40 other boats that they didn't even glance at. Mind you all those boats beat me in a race but none of them have the miles we do!
Sorry didn't mean to ramble.
Cheers
Mark
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02-12-2016, 14:13
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#45
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Skagit City, WA
Posts: 25,453
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Re: Should I change my mind about teak decks on older boats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cadence
I doubt I have ever seen teak butted. The caulking seems to fail along with the bungs? Possibly new caulk is better. Teak is by nature an oily wood so a bond may be difficult?
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If by "butted" you mean one edge rabbeted for sealant, my 3 boats with teak decking were all done that way. No problems with it and unlike as sailorbob mentions , I would guess it's actually more expensive to do. Albeit not by much. The sealant always pulls away from the Teak eventually a bit, so not sure which is better, probably neither. The sealant was under the teak on my boats also, although they were "butted". Strangely, the sealant under was stuck like glue, so much so that when I removed the teak, I had to break it off in short chunks with a crow bar. Why it held that good there and shrunk back from the teak in the grooves is a mystery. I suppose the wood shrinks rather than swells maybe, but you would think the sealant would stretch that little bit.
Fortunately, there was enough sealant under the teak that the deck core was dry even with hundreds of screw holes. The sealant evidently sealed the screws well enough, although there was some wetness under the decking when pulled.
__________________
"I spent most of my money on Booze, Broads and Boats. The rest I wasted" - Elmore Leonard
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