Cockpit seat slats -renewal?

[Yorkshire Exile]

My middle aged Sadler 29 has the ubiquitous 'wooden' slats with a caulking which looks like black Sikaflex. I have no idea what these slats are, are they a wood veneer on some form of laminate? They are now in quite poor condition, there are many places where the veneer has broken down and it all looks quite shabby. However none of is lifting away from the fibreglass as it appears very firmly stuck down. What are the options for renewing it? And how difficult would it be to remove the existing slats and caulking?

 

[Champagne Murphy]

My middle aged Sadler 29 has the ubiquitous 'wooden' slats with a caulking which looks like black Sikaflex. I have no idea what these slats are, are they a wood veneer on some form of laminate? They are now in quite poor condition, there are many places where the veneer has broken down and it all looks quite shabby. However none of is lifting away from the fibreglass as it appears very firmly stuck down. What are the options for renewing it? And how difficult would it be to remove the existing slats and caulking?

We have a Sadler 32 but teak slats,rather than the arrangement you describe. You may also get answers if you ask on the Sadler and Starlight Facebook page

 

[Tranona]

It will be hard work removing the old wood - usually a chisel job. To replace you have a choice of fake teak or laying the proper stuff. The easiest way to do it properly is to buy either ready made panels to your pattern or the material cut to size to assemble yourself. You can get this from kjhowells.com who are based in Poole.

You will probably need to make good the mess that removing the old will make, however careful you are and you may consider painting as an alternative.

 

[vyv_cox]

If they are original they are probably plywood. Removing it is a long job but perfectly possible, mallet and chisel worked well for me.
Personally I would not even contemplate a wooden replacement, especially in UK where it will always be wet. We did ours in Marinedeck 2000 inabout 1999, it still looks good and performs well.

 

[eddystone]

If they are original they are probably plywood. Removing it is a long job but perfectly possible, mallet and chisel worked well for me.
Personally I would not even contemplate a wooden replacement, especially in UK where it will always be wet. We did ours in Marinedeck 2000 inabout 1999, it still looks good and performs well.

I thought all Sadlers had teak slats as Champagne Murphy says.
Vyv, did your cockpit sole not have teak slats or have you replaced them with anti slip paint?

 

[vyv_cox]

I thought all Sadlers had teak slats as Champagne Murphy says.
Vyv, did your cockpit sole not have teak slats or have you replaced them with anti slip paint?

Our seats were faced plywood. Sole had nothing other than moulded grp. I laid TBS non-slip a long time ago, now needs improvement.

 

[Yorkshire Exile]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I suspect mine are some form of plywood with a veneer. Vv Cox - can you give any more idea of the mess that was left after applying your chisel, then how was it cleaned up? And what sort of price is the Marinedeck and what would it cost for someone to fit it? I could see myself removing the old stuff but doubt whether i have the skills to make a good job of fitting the Marinedeck.