Teak or not

[Chief Engineer]

If Congress has its way....there will be no more Teak imports.

[jrd22]

We just removed (finished last weekend) the teak from our decks and we're going to have a thin layer of fiberglass and then nonskid put on. I love the look of teak decks, but the worry about leaks into the balsa core and the resulting repair tipped the scale. I'd rather sail than take care of the teak decks anyway , even without the possibility of core damage.

John

[Trim50]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

If Congress has its way....there will be no more Teak imports.

Please explain!

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Chief Engineer

If Congress has its way....there will be no more Teak imports.

The Burma Democracy Promotion Act of 2007, among other restrictions, prohibits the import (into USA) of certain commodities from Burma, including Teak or other hardwood timber.

Introduced October 29, 2007, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Goto: S. 2257: Burma Democracy Promotion Act of 2007 (GovTrack.us)

[Liberty28]

Had a Baba 30 with teak everything! Nice to look at but a real PITA to maintain. I'd only have teak decks on someone elses boat!!!!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Trim50

Nowdays, the teak is so soft that a stiff brush would tear it up. We only use soap water and soft brush.

Scrub across ways.

Originally Posted by GordMay

The Burma Democracy Promotion Act of 2007, among other restrictions, prohibits the import (into USA) of certain commodities from Burma, including Teak or other hardwood timber.

Cruise to Thailand and get it done for cheap.

You can never feel a boat under your toes unless you have done so with tootsies on teak

[Pura Vida]

Teak may get more expensive as a result of the act, but it will still be available.

As an aside, the worst splinter I ever had was from a teak deck.

Is anyone familiar with the new artificial teak deck surfaces?

[jjorg]

Do NOT use a stiff brush. Salt water or soapy water with a little bleach and a sponge works fine for cleaning. My decks look great after five years.

[dcstrng]

<Would you choose a teak deck on your next boat…>

Nope – I’ve never had teak but when living-aboard I helped several maintain theirs… gorgeous to look at when scrupulously maintained, and potentially wonderfully attractive to the next buyer, but ain’t for me – the teak trim I had was a pain, although nice-looking. I prefer sailing to scrubbing and oiling… I’m in the process of de-woodifying the exterior of my boat, so that should tell you where my heart is on the matter teak esthetics… I don’t think the US Navy has launched a teak-decked vessel since WWII, and they have a more than passing interest in non-skid…

[swagman]

Teak also gets my vote.
Looks best.
Holds water to aid cooling on hotter days.
Great non slip.
Keeping it shipshape is a chore I actually enjoy - bit like cleaning a pool!
Cheers
JOHN

[spencer53]

We have teak decks and I share the sentiment of many here. Good non slip properties, kind to the feet, but plenty of work to maintain. I suppose if you're on an extended cruise, saltwater washdowns regularly will preserve them quite nicely bit they will be gray decks. No big deal. Given the chance to "do it over again", I think I would look for non-teak. Don't get me wrong, I love the look and the feel of teak, but between my wife and I, we'd rather sail than maintain decks. When we get down to cleaning them though, we get more "ooohs and ahhhhs" over those decks than anything else on the boat. They do look sharp. We've never had leaks as a result of the decks. Perhaps we've just been lucky.

[mobetah]

The short answerz: Not!

[mickmul]

Always scrub gently across the grain to prevent fibers opening. Cleaned mine with a product from "Onward Trading" in Southampton UK late last season (product was great but shipping was twice the cost of product so beware!) There is some green mould forming again but to be expected as she's wintering in a marina near lots of trees - aesthetically, the look of the clean teak is worth the extra maintenance to me, it is still about three quarter inch thick after 21 years - basically I considered it an extra rather that a hindrance when buying the boat last year, and am happy with it. Now if it starts leaking. . . . . .