teak v non-slip decks

[Ric]

I'm looking at two boats to buy - one has teak decks, the other non-slip.

The teak looks nice, but what is it like to live with compared to non-slip? Presumably hotter to walk on (in Med), makes boat hotter, harder to clean etc. But how much so?

 

[flaming]

And works better than any non slip I've ever come across, especially when wet.

 

[dulcibella]

Teak is pretty and comfortable, but is prone to separation of the caulk from the teak strips, leading to leakage. This happens much more quickly if the deck is scrubbed a lot (especially along the grain) - the best treatment is sunshine and sea water (which discourages the growth of green algae).

 

[pvb]

Having lived with both, I'd say that although teak decks are lovely, they're really not as practical as non-slip or Treadmaster. Long-term, teak decks are an expensive proposition because sooner or later they'll need repairs, restoration or replacement. So I'd probably avoid teak decks when changing my boat, with one exception. The exception is if the type of boat you're buying is generally expected to have teak decks (eg HR, Najad, Oyster); then it's essential to have teak decks if you want to maximise its eventual resale value.

 

[Gunfleet]

Shouldn't you add twister to that list /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[steve_cronin]

I\'ve always taken the view....

..that who, in their right mind would voluntarily have several hundred holes drilled in his decks when being in a constant heaving and moving situation any one of them could spring a leak which could be almost impossible to rectify?

Steve Cronin

 

[KellysEye]

Re: I\'ve always taken the view....

Lay the decks with the special dutch marine ply (can't remember the name) that is guaranteed for over 25 years, then lay the teak. No holes in the deck - it's the method used when teak decks are laid properly on a steel boat and is what we have.

 

[steve_cronin]

I\'m impressed....

..if someone has found a way of completely excluding water ingress between sheets of plywood and the mild steel sheeting to which it is glued when both are in a flexing situation and constantly being drenched both by salt and rain water and subject to constant changes of temperature.

You should see the steel boat across the pontoon from us which has laminated decks over steel. Time is taking it's toll all over the decks with raising patches of rust. (sorry - the "r" word not to be uttered to steel boat owners!)

Steve Cronin

 

[homa]

resale value

Think also of the lower resale value later on when you come to sell
Teak decks will put a lot of buyers off for the reasons already given

 

[rogerthebodger]

Re: I\'m impressed....

I am currently building a steel yacht with a steel deck and tredmaster as the non slip covering.

I looked at having a teak deck and changed ny mind for the reasons you stated

I came to the conclusion that the only way to fit a teak deck to a steel boat and prevent the problems you highlight in not to have a steel deck only steel frames and deck geams and bolt thick marine ply using sikaflex berween steel deck beams and the ply and gluing the teak to the ply and sealing again with sikaflex

 

[KellysEye]

Re: I\'m impressed....

I take your point but I think if its done properly it does last. Our teak deck is over 13 years old and is fine, just need to replace a bit of caulking occasionally. But when I say properly you need to screw the teak to the ply, then when set, remove all the screws and fill with epoxy with teak bungs on top. A huge job which is why most teak decks aren't done properly. Also I can't say I've ever seen our boat flex, even on a hard beat the leeward rigging is solid.

On balance though I wouldn't add a teak deck to a boat that doesn't have one, the replacement costs are staggering (if it's done as described). Normal story, you get what you pay for.
And please don't use the 'r' word, I had to lie down ;-)

 

[Orla]

Re: I\'m impressed....

My wife and I are currently looking at number boats for sale, all 43/44ft mid 1980s and all teak decks. And they all need there decks replaced, the problem I have is do I remove the old teak and replace with new or replica (technoligy has come on leaps and bounds), or re-surface and fit treadmaster.
I like the teak a lot but its just so expensive to replace. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[KellysEye]

Re: I\'m impressed....

If I had to replace our teak decks I'd go the Treadmaster route, simply because of the cost of the teak - it would probably be about a quarter of the boat's value. On a personal note I wouldn't go the fake teak route, I cringe every time I see an Amel.

 

[Salty John]

Re: I\'m impressed....

The problem isn't confined to needing new decks. If the teak is screwed down to a cored GRP surface the core material will almost certainly be compromised by water intrusion through the thousands of screw holes. I've had to replace the deck coring on two boats and for this reason wouldn't consider this type of teak deck again.

 

[Guest]

Re: I\'m impressed....

Also consider what it does to yacht stability having all that extra weight on deck... Add to that the effect of roller furling gear, in-mast furling, life raft on deck, radar scanner etc. etc., it's a wonder some yachts stay upright at all /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[thalassa]

Re: I\'ve always taken the view....

Reply to Kelly's Eye: Dutch ply = Bruynzeel

 

[KellysEye]

Re: I\'ve always taken the view....

>Bruynzeel

Thank you!

 

[PaulR]

Re: I\'ve always taken the view....

agree with much said above - I would much prefer not to have teak decks than to have them - the negatives I see are maintenance to keep them looking good (and bluntly most you see don't look special at all) and the cost of renewing them - for me they put me off and given a choice between with and without it is without every time

 

[Captain Coochie]

Im interested to know why you think scrubbing with the grain will cause the caulking to be removed faster than any other scrubbing ?

 

[DeeGee]

One could almost label this thread a flamer - it has been discussed so many times before. I have teak, I love it, but, yes - it takes up a bit of time maintaining it. There is no better non-slip surface, wet or dry. I know that some decks have required major maintenance, even replacement, but MANY havent - I just hope it doesnt happen to me.