Synthetic Teak

[rubberduck]

Is there such a thing as synthetic teak that is close to the real thing in appearance. I have seen some very poor examples but I think there was one that looked good at port hamble the other day, or was it real ?
Is there a better brand that doesn't look like a poor imitation.

 

[CLB]

The current crop look much better than the stuff that first appeared 10 or so years ago. The boat show is coming up. A good opportunity to compare whats on the market, as all the big names are usually there.

 

[Elessar]

Is there such a thing as synthetic teak that is close to the real thing in appearance. I have seen some very poor examples but I think there was one that looked good at port hamble the other day, or was it real ?
Is there a better brand that doesn't look like a poor imitation.

At the time I fitted mine about 5 years ago, flexiteek was the winner as it was the only one that had colour variations in the plastic that went all the way through. This is subtle, but subtle makes the difference. Others may do that now but I don’t know.
The way it is fitted is half the battle. It’s a very skilled and time consuming job to get right.
Rob at advanced marine decking in deacons did mine and it is absolutely first rate IMO.
I miss the smell of teak but nothing else. The end of season clean with the 3phase yard jet wash is a joy

 

[MrB]

Hurricane had some done on Jenny Wren, looks very nice. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?490821-Teak-Replacement&highlight=hurricane :encouragement:

 

[NoviceRod]

This is Flexiteak on my new Nimbus. Cleans up easily after grandchildren drop crisps etc.

Hopefully this has loaded the picture!

 

[Hurricane]

Here is an example of Flexiteak and real teak.
Can you tell which is the Flexiteak?

 

[MapisM]

Here is an example of Flexiteak and real teak.
Can you tell which is the Flexiteak?

Well, actually you can, in the last pic. But yours is a good point anyway - aesthetically, the result couldn't be better.
How's your experience so far when walking barefoot on either real or fake teak exposed to sunshine, is the latter as hotter as some folks say it is?

 

[simonfraser]

point well made with the pics.

if you just want to renovate the existing teak, have used woodskin on very old teak, obviously not perfect, but very acceptable.
bit like and old house, once you put in one 'perfect' ceiling you gotta do them all

 

[dj43]

Is there such a thing as synthetic teak that is close to the real thing in appearance. I have seen some very poor examples but I think there was one that looked good at port hamble the other day, or was it real ?
Is there a better brand that doesn't look like a poor imitation.

After seeing Hurricane,s photos got same chap to replace teak to our bathing platform , very pleased with the finished job, they did the job at east cowes ,came when they said and completed on time, would highly recommend them, have found that in the Uk it's no hotter than the existing teak , and so easy to maintain,our bathing platform always used to suffer after long trips on the plane, (as we treat our teak with semco sealer) used to whare off around sides , was worried it would not look right at first ,but couldn't be happier with end result and it has weathered down so as not to be dissimilar to the existing

 

[Portofino]

Two points
I think a lot depends on where you do your boating specifically if it’s bare feet territory .
For me Med it has to be real teak .

2nd point is teak , exactly what do you mean ?

- Wafer thin veneers with or without correct borders ?
- 4 mm ot 6 mm planks on ply templates ?
- 10mm or larger 12 / 15 mm proper planks ?

The colour is up to you .Personally we do ours twice a year and I quit enjoy the job satisfaction we use “ wonder teak “ system .I realise if you have acres then it become a burden keeping it the chosen colour .

What little teak we have is full thickness planks btw .
I realise if changing boats Its highly likely we would have to compromise the luxuary of full thickness teak .

Here’s a imgur file from 2017 ( that’s one benefit of imgur you can easily recall the files )

You see everybody’s right in there responses because we are all starting from different places teak wise .

https://imgur.com/gallery/cnP0M

It would be nice to get feed back on the hot foot in the Med perceived risk from artificial though .

 

[Hurricane]

Well, actually you can, in the last pic. But yours is a good point anyway - aesthetically, the result couldn't be better.
How's your experience so far when walking barefoot on either real or fake teak exposed to sunshine, is the latter as hotter as some folks say it is?

Yes, it is hotter than wood but, on balance, I think that the ease of cleaning outweighs the heat issue.

I have, however, come across a problem that I didn't expect.
Not a Flexiteak problem in itself.
Our bathing platform hatch has always been weak - bends when you walk on it.
Bends to the extent that the flowcoat on the underside of the hatch cracks.
The move to Flexiteak has meant that it bends even more and I was worried that the hatch might actually fail.
So, I've spent that last few days adding extra strengthing to the underside of the hatch..

Flexiteak is much easier to work with than wood.
You can cut and re-stick it easily - just use sandpaper to finish.
I'll post some pics of the hatch when I've finished it.
Too hot out here to do much at the moment.
This year we are having a quiet time in Sant Carles rather than a summer cruise.
Autumn cruise later in the season is planned instead.

 

[rubberduck]

Here is an example of Flexiteak and real teak.
Can you tell which is the Flexiteak?

Its certainly close enough, what colour flexi teak is that ?

 

[rubberduck]

After seeing Hurricane,s photos got same chap to replace teak to our bathing platform , very pleased with the finished job, they did the job at east cowes ,came when they said and completed on time, would highly recommend them, have found that in the Uk it's no hotter than the existing teak , and so easy to maintain,our bathing platform always used to suffer after long trips on the plane, (as we treat our teak with semco sealer) used to whare off around sides , was worried it would not look right at first ,but couldn't be happier with end result and it has weathered down so as not to be dissimilar to the existing

Could you pm me cost, have been quoted several arms & legs to replace in real teak, which we did with previous boat but still looked old after a few weeks. Thanks.

 

[MapisM]

I've spent that last few days adding extra strengthing to the underside of the hatch.

Flexiteak is much easier to work with than wood.
You can cut and re-stick it easily - just use sandpaper to finish.

Yup, I understand the issue. Also in my boat, the swim platform was designed assuming to stick 10mm solid teak planks above it, contributing to its strength, particularly above the huge hatch (meant to allow a small jetski stored inside it, as in most Ferrettis of the same vintage). That's something I must consider, whenever I'll have to replace the teak.

But why are you mentioning cut and re-stick of your existing job?
If you are strengthening the hatch underside, can't you do that without affecting the external surface?

 

[Elessar]

Could you pm me cost, have been quoted several arms & legs to replace in real teak, which we did with previous boat but still looked old after a few weeks. Thanks.

Synthetic teak is not a budget option. I could have done real teak for a similar price.
But for my boat use it’s the best option

 

[rubberduck]

Synthetic teak is not a budget option. I could have done real teak for a similar price.
But for my boat use it’s the best option

Interesting, I have been quoted for both, synthetic is 50% of the real thing, hence exploring further.

 

[Hurricane]

IIRC it is around £300 per sq m
But that doesn't include getting the old stuff off or preparing the surfaces.

 

[Hurricane]

Its certainly close enough, what colour flexi teak is that ?

There are several colours - I chose one that looks like plain, untreated, but clean natural teak - like it was when the boat was new.
Just ask Darren - here is his website:-
https://www.theteakman.co.uk/

 

[NoviceRod]

Synthetic teak is not a budget option. I could have done real teak for a similar price.
But for my boat use it’s the best option

I had a price reduction for going with Flexiteak

 

[Marine Reflections]

Back in the day, when fake teak looked fake, there was an argument that 'real teak' was the only option. Now the benefits of less maintenance or indeed zero maintenance are not to be sniffed at.

I have difficulty telling real from synthetic and I'm coming from an antique restoration / marine restoration background. Ok, I can tell, but it is hard from a couple of ft away.

For me Flexiteek have nailed it... Colour and grain are amazing.

It is still subject to correct application (what doesn't) but the product IMHO is first class.

Even with the best regime, techniques and products, real teak is a pain in the post, the word fake doesn't seem to fit anymore. Certainly when it out-performs teak.