Silvercloud
Well-Known Member
I want to use some form of synthetic teak decking on my T36 and would like to know if anyone can recommend (or otherwise) a good product for DIY fitting.
Synthetic Teak Decking
- Thread starter Silvercloud
- Start date
MrB
Well-Known Member
Take a look at this thread and pick it up at post #15 by Hurricane, he has done what you want to do with great success. Maybe even a pm. Faux Teak Matting
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
I've been making my own.
There is a big learning curve but I have been getting good results.
Lots of tools to be bought and made.
Essentially, the panels are made up by plastic welding the back.
To finish the job you also need to be able to weld on the top (finished) surface which is quite challenging.
I'm retired so I have plenty of time to develop the techniques.
I need to find some time to post a report - maybe your post will encourage me to write it up.
I think there might be a lot of interested in this subject.
There are a few different systems out there - some panels can be made up using glue rather than welding.
Initially, I had our bathing platform replaced with Flexiteek but to do the rest of the boat was going to be very expensive.
There is also an issue with Flexiteek turning a pinkish colour but you wouldn't notice it unless you were told and compare it with newer samples.
This is the professionally fitted Flexiteek to the bathing platform.
BTW
The hatches were a problem (particularly the big one on the bathing platform).
Real wood teak is more rigid than synthetic.
In this case, Princess didn't make the hatch very strong and it has always flexed.
But after fitting the synthetic teak, it flexed too much so I had to strengthen the hatch afterwards.
This is the result of my foredeck - made and installed by me.
So, you see that if you work at it, you can get a good job.
I got back home from the boat (in Spain) yesterday evening (just before the isolation rules changed!!)
That visit was the first one after fitting my own synthetic teak to the foredeck and side decks.
There are a couple of small bubbles - small areas (couple of inches long) where it hasn't stuck but I had that trouble with the professional Flexiteek as well.
When I get time, I will slit along the caulking lines, peel it back where the bubble is and re-glue - easy job.
I hope that helps.
I will get round to writing up the report sometime.
I'm sure people will be interested.
There is a big learning curve but I have been getting good results.
Lots of tools to be bought and made.
Essentially, the panels are made up by plastic welding the back.
To finish the job you also need to be able to weld on the top (finished) surface which is quite challenging.
I'm retired so I have plenty of time to develop the techniques.
I need to find some time to post a report - maybe your post will encourage me to write it up.
I think there might be a lot of interested in this subject.
There are a few different systems out there - some panels can be made up using glue rather than welding.
Initially, I had our bathing platform replaced with Flexiteek but to do the rest of the boat was going to be very expensive.
There is also an issue with Flexiteek turning a pinkish colour but you wouldn't notice it unless you were told and compare it with newer samples.
This is the professionally fitted Flexiteek to the bathing platform.
BTW
The hatches were a problem (particularly the big one on the bathing platform).
Real wood teak is more rigid than synthetic.
In this case, Princess didn't make the hatch very strong and it has always flexed.
But after fitting the synthetic teak, it flexed too much so I had to strengthen the hatch afterwards.
This is the result of my foredeck - made and installed by me.
So, you see that if you work at it, you can get a good job.
I got back home from the boat (in Spain) yesterday evening (just before the isolation rules changed!!)
That visit was the first one after fitting my own synthetic teak to the foredeck and side decks.
There are a couple of small bubbles - small areas (couple of inches long) where it hasn't stuck but I had that trouble with the professional Flexiteek as well.
When I get time, I will slit along the caulking lines, peel it back where the bubble is and re-glue - easy job.
I hope that helps.
I will get round to writing up the report sometime.
I'm sure people will be interested.
Silvercloud
Well-Known Member
Looks very good
Well done!
if you do get time to write your full report it would be very helpful for me and others
Well done!
if you do get time to write your full report it would be very helpful for me and others
sealegsjim
Well-Known Member
Isiteek is what I used. It is the DIY version of Flexiteek which has to be professionally laid. It is the second boat I have used it on and I think it is the best for DIY.
Seastoke
Well-Known Member
Photos.
J12345T
Well-Known Member
Consider Marinedeck. A cork composite decking material. I've just done it on my Princess 50/3 and its great. Real cork rather than fake anything. Looks different but great and performs very very well..
James.
James.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
I've got Marinedeck on my RIB.
I'm not sure I would have it on the main boat.
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
When I checked, Isiteek was an early version of Flexiteek.
They told me that it was thinner than Flexiteek and not the same product.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
The only point I would make on Flexiteak is that if you have other wood such as grab handles, capping etc you need to be prepared to Semco these to keep up to scratch with the plastic decks.
dustywings
Well-Known Member
Elite Teak have just finished the complete replacement of our teak decks and they are amazing, I will do a post to show it all but I would highly recommend them!
Hurricane
Well-Known Member
Flynnbarr
Well-Known Member
Please do it's something that I need to get sorted.