Teak decks

[adrift]

I am considering buying a 5 year-old 37 foot cruiser which has a teak deck. Apart from the aesthetic quality, I am attracted by the secure grip that teak provides but is it worth the ongoing maintenance cost?

Having looked at several of the new mass production boats I am concerned over the supposedly anti-slip finish that they come with. Am I being unduly wimpish?

 

[Twister_Ken]

My boat has a 23 year old teak deck which has still got life left in it.

Ongoing maintenance? A couple of thorough washes a season, and cover it during winter.

 

[Spacewaist]

Teak is a wonderful non-slip material in temperate climes and - as Ken says - low maintenance. Sometimes you get a green algae deposit in winter but it is removable.

Two things to think about:

1 1t is very heat retentive. In the Med or the Carribbean it can be unbearably hot in bare feet when GRP decks are quite OK. (I do mean UNBEARABLY hot).

2 Must be careful to ensure the soles of your deckshoes/wellies have tread on them. Old Sebago Docksides deckshoes can be lethal by the time the deck has polished the tread.

 

[kidnapped]

Bought my yacht this year ... teak decks were not in great nick. No fundamental probs eg. sickaflex coming adrift,cappings missing etc. .... just dirty green/yellowy hue. I srcubbed[accross the grain] with DREFT[yes, the soap powder] twice in a month. The deck now looks great and as Twister Ken says 'a couple of rinses' does the job.