DIY Synthetic Teak

[Hurricane]

I disagree with Hurricane on fitting the cleats on top of the decking. But only from an appearances point of view. This shows how much flexibilty is available just from freedom of choice when designing your own deck. I would not fit anything on top of the decking but that is my choice as I think it looks better. I am sure Hurricane would agree with me that care is the main requirement when doing your own deck.

Yep, I agree that the appearance is also important. During my research, I came across another P67 that had undergone the synthetic teak upgrade and I didn't like the fussiness of that design - here's a pic of that design:-



Cutting and caulking round the cleat, I think, would look strange - the above approach tries to mitigate that with a border. I didn't like the border and, actually, just bolting through is MUCH easier. Looks less fiddly. In fact, I didn't like that whole design - the way the curves continue over the hatches etc. It all looked wrong.

This is my finished foredeck - I think this is far less fiddly:-

 

[Hurricane]

Everyone thinks I'm crazy looking to do it myself, but I'm hoping it will be very satisfying if I get it right! As you say time and care, in reality whatever solution I go for, I'll be taking the old deck up and prepping myself (no way I could afford to pay someone to do that and I have a son in-law who's a carpenter and pretty handy/has all the tools), the incremental vs that to manufacture the panels/fit vs the money saved seems well worthwhile.

Yep - everyone thought I was crazy as well.
I "kind of" fixed that in my last session when I made the deck myself and got a local contractor to fit it.
However, if you have a youngster who is keen to help - that would make the whole job easier.
There is also a steep learning curve working with Trakmark.
But VERY rewarding.
My advice though is "Go for it".

 

[PCUK]

Totally agree. Good example of different layouts of decking on the same boat model. Here's one I was doing recently. Old school Dek-King that doesn't need welding. What a messy bugger I am!

 

[Hurricane]

Totally agree. Good example of different layouts of decking on the same boat model. Here's one I was doing recently. Old school Dek-King that doesn't need welding. What a messy bugger I am!View attachment 201509

Love the weights but not heavy enough IMO

One of the best things I did for my DIY Teak project was to make some (about 25) weights.
I keep most of them in my garage/workshop and they are about the most useful tool I have.
I even have some that I keep with my sewing equipment.
They can be used for anything that needs to be temporally held in place.
This is a pic of the weights from earlier in this thread.
Just some 4 x 2 steel tube/section cut into 6" long sections and filled with lead.

 

[PCUK]

My weights are lead dive belt weights so I just add more if necessary. Never had a problem so far. However, as I always warm the lengths as I lay them they relax and the grip of the Sabatak 750 generally makes the weights unnecessary. I recently bought nine 7lb scale weights from the local junk shop for £4 each which I am sure will be useful.