Synthetic Teak Decking

[Mino]

Looking at this as an alternative and have been reading through previous threads. Particularly interested in hearing from Liveaboards who've fitted synthetic teak, and your opinions re. the particular product you used.

I know it's yet another well-worn subject, but some of the threads are rather old, and as time has marched on I thought some of you will be able to give a more thorough review of your decking.

 

[westernman]

I think synthetic teak is horrible. Either get the real thing, or have a nice fibre glass deck. The worst thing of all is having something which is trying to pretend to be something else.

 

[wazza]

I disagree with micheal, firstly real teak IS a nightmare, trust me I have the cr'p on my deck at the moment. Secondly tekdek, for example, looks good and is maintenance free. Also provides some insulation. I will most probably go for this as, after I've ripped up our deck I need to put something down, and cost wise it's not far off treadmaster.

 

[westernman]

On a plastic boat, I would go for the thread master. Not some plastic stuff trying to look like wood.

For the same reason I don't like the papered on wood look on MFI type furniture.

I just don't like lies......

Anyway each to his own.

 

[charles_reed]

On a plastic boat, I would go for the thread master. Not some plastic stuff trying to look like wood.

For the same reason I don't like the papered on wood look on MFI type furniture.

I just don't like lies......

Anyway each to his own.

No doubt you mean Treadmaster - it doesn't last much longer than teak and is nearly as difficult to get off.

An amusing point - teak was a "lie" as you so elegantly put it, when the Royal Navy had to introduce it for decking when Baltic pine ran out.

IMHO teak decking on a plastic boat is pretentious, expensive and hell to maintain. one has to wonder at the commonsense (or lack) of those who choose to have it on their boat.

 

[wazza]

IMHO teak decking on a plastic boat is pretentious, expensive and hell to maintain. one has to wonder at the commonsense (or lack) of those who choose to have it on their boat.

I might have said this before, but I love my boat, all apart from the teak...... the sooner it's off my deck the better

 

[Koeketiene]

I disagree with micheal, firstly real teak IS a nightmare, trust me I have the cr'p on my deck at the moment. Secondly tekdek, for example, looks good and is maintenance free. Also provides some insulation. I will most probably go for this as, after I've ripped up our deck I need to put something down, and cost wise it's not far off treadmaster.

Check some boats that have fitted TekDek more than 5 years ago.
You might be OK of you remain in Sweden, but I've seen 2 boats with TekDek ordinarily kept in the Med. Real floating disaster areas.
Do you want to replace your deck twice in 5 years time?

Enter stage left: a couple of TekDek fans... but I know what I have seen. Might still have the pictures somewhere.

 

[Tranona]

There are different types of fake teak - even from the same supplier. The "better" is little cheaper than the real thing if you have it laid professionally. Very little has been in use for more than 5 years so it is difficult to get any long term experience. On some boats it looks good, on most it looks awful (subjective!).

 

[grumpy_o_g]

On a plastic boat, I would go for the thread master. Not some plastic stuff trying to look like wood.

For the same reason I don't like the papered on wood look on MFI type furniture.

I just don't like lies......

Anyway each to his own.

Then you'll no doubt be delighted to know that you can now get Tread Master with a teak grain effect Presumably a synthetic teak deck that's as hard to remove as the real thing....


I'd consider cork products too - they don't try to look like teak and don't get quite as hot as teak either. I have no idea as to their longevity in a sunny climate but the one example I've seen was in Florida on a commercial sport fishing boat and had been on it for at least 3 or 4 years according to the skipper. Didn't have it on the cockpit floor but the decks were done and made enough of an impression for me to ask what it was.

 

[wazza]

Then you'll no doubt be delighted to know that you can now get Tread Master with a teak grain effect Presumably a synthetic teak deck that's as hard to remove as the real thing....


I'd consider cork products too - they don't try to look like teak and don't get quite as hot as teak either. I have no idea as to their longevity in a sunny climate but the one example I've seen was in Florida on a commercial sport fishing boat and had been on it for at least 3 or 4 years according to the skipper. Didn't have it on the cockpit floor but the decks were done and made enough of an impression for me to ask what it was.

I did chuckle at the treadmaster comment after michael had mentioned as I remember seeing it in their site, but in defence of micheal I understand, to an extent, of which product he's refering to....

With regards to cork, the only company I know of that manufactures the stuff is a Dutch company and I was NOT impressed with their pics. Up close it looked very shoddy, so it was either workmanship or materials I don't know but I certainly wasn't impressed. Having said that, I looked at Guapa's blog and his deck looks good.

 

[BrianH]

I think synthetic teak is horrible. Either get the real thing, or have a nice fibre glass deck. The worst thing of all is having something which is trying to pretend to be something else.

If it's good enough for Amel .......

 

[little_roundtop]

If it's good enough for Amel .......

Indeed, but even on those it looks fake. I have never seen an artificial teak deck that didn't look artificial. I agree with the above, get the real thing or stick with plain GRP.

 

[Mino]

If it's good enough for Amel .......

Oooooooh. Very pretty yacht. Yum. Wonder how she sails?

Cork, never considered that. Was surprised that a Dutch company was producing a low grade product. I've always been impressed with their workmanship, although mainly re. yachts, I have to admit.

 

[Mino]

Have to admit, a plain old teak-free deck was my first choice, (like my late father's yacht) but.... looks so bare.

Keep the comments coming folks, I'm finding your replies interesting and informative.

 

[BuzzFan]

cork

the cork shown on www.marinedeck.net looks good, and wouldn't be hot to walk on - any ideas re cost, practicality, experience ?

 

[Sybaris]

Can one of you explain why you consider maintaining a teak deck a "nightmare".

We have had two boats with a plain white GRP deck, and now have a boat with a teak deck. I find I have much less cleaning and maintenance with the teak, it is nicer to walk on, and it looks way much better. A win win solution for us.

If I would go for anything else than teak it would be cork. It doesn't pretend to be teak and seems to have a few advantages.

Cheers,
Per

PS Yes Amel has a reputation for being one of the best, but their decks have always been seriously ugly

 

[BrianH]

Have to admit, a plain old teak-free deck was my first choice, (like my late father's yacht) but.... looks so bare.
Keep the comments coming folks, I'm finding your replies interesting and informative.

If you haven't yet seen it, check out wazza's thread here. It may help you make up your mind.

 

[westernman]

If it's good enough for Amel .......

There are a lot of good things in the Amel. Well thought out for long distance cruising. However those decks really are off putting. The thinking behind it of avoiding the maintenance of real teak is valid. But it is sooo ugly. And that on a yacht which costs almost exactly a million euros.

 

[Koeketiene]

the cork shown on www.marinedeck.net looks good, and wouldn't be hot to walk on - any ideas re cost, practicality, experience ?

We had this fitted a couple of years ago. Involved a full deck rebuild as the ply underneath the original teak was rotten to the core. Some pictures here. Full story in the blog (see signature (2008 folder) - extra pictures in the gallery too).

Been very pleased with it. One of my wiser decisions. In winter it keeps the cold, and humidity out - in Summer it keeps the heat out. Yet, you can walk on it barefoot.
Minimal maintenance required. Love it.

 

[Mino]

If you haven't yet seen it, check out wazza's thread here. It may help you make up your mind.

Yeah, have also read that, some other threads, and taken note from other liveaboards who've said teak: avoid. Plus of course, my dad's choice to go teak free. Hence me musing over synthetic teak or plain ol' bare GRP. Decisions, decisions...