To those who have laid synth teak...

[AndrewB]

Real teak is a fairly uniform colour, though. I think the objection to fake teak is perhaps the lack of a visible grain structure.

We've just fitted Dek-King in place of teak trim, which looks really good. It was the detailed advice on laying the stuff, and the support, that decided us on this product. There is a grain to it, though not quite like real teak.

I think synthetic looks attractive in its own right, and went for it not just for cost but because teak is an unsuitable material for surfacing a plastic yacht. Teak is attractive as a trim, but in large swathes it looks pseudo, like many other overblown '80's fashions such as mullet hairdo's and power dressing.

 

[Elessar]

Real teak is a fairly uniform colour, though. I think the objection to fake teak is perhaps the lack of a visible grain structure.

Fairly uniform but not completely uniform, and that to me makes the difference. Also Flexiteek has "grain" because of the subtle colour variations.

People admire the teak, poke it, I say "actually its lino" they poke it more, look up close and often don't believe me.

The only thing missing is the lovely smell of wet teak.

I posted some pics on this thread and more info here too. http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...on-the-best-imitaion-teak&highlight=Flexiteek

 

[Anders_P42]

Yes please Anders, post some pics...that said I'll be doing it myself as I have nearly 13sq m to lay and just can't afford their prices at flexiteek..

Here's a comparison, freshly laid teak on an Antares 30 vs Flexiteek standard.

 

[Greenheart]

That's a vital observation - it's the grain, as opposed to actual colouring, which gives the real stuff its appearance.

Although, there's a hint of David Dickinson's orange tan, about some fakes. The grain in the Tek Dek sample I was sent, doesn't replicate teak at all...more like roughly-cut MDF.

Surely the moulds these strips are formed in, could include a wide range of twists and curves in the grain, like real wood? The fakes are all straight-grain...much less convincing.

 

[Elessar]

That's a vital observation - it's the grain, as opposed to actual colouring, which gives the real stuff its appearance.

Although, there's a hint of David Dickinson's orange tan, about some fakes. The grain in the Tek Dek sample I was sent, doesn't replicate teak at all...more like roughly-cut MDF.

Surely the moulds these strips are formed in, could include a wide range of twists and curves in the grain, like real wood? The fakes are all straight-grain...much less convincing.

tek dek is monotone - so what "grain"? Grain is colour variation if the wood is sanded smooth. It is also a variation in hardness - which is its big problem. If you are on about the roughness, it isn't molded in it's scraped. You can create curved roughness with 40 grit paper if it does it for you.

As I say though, people actually touching mine sometimes don't believe it's fake when I tell them

 

[Greenheart]

Excellent point. So, some kind of totally artificial grain effect would need to be routed or stamped onto the monotone substrata? Difficult.

Dare I say it? It begins to sound like real teak might be more rewarding. Fake teak certainly isn't cheap, and you have to put up with folk noticing it's not real.

Isn't the main problem with real teak, the way it's secured to the decking beneath? If the lower level wasn't leaky, couldn't teak be very effectively glued instead of screwed?

I expect we've been here before...glued teak eventually needs replacing, whereupon the glue can't be removed and the replacement job is a huge and horribly costly one.

Apologies, this is no help at all. I'd want to avoid real teak for all the good reasons you gents have, but I'm still trying to convince myself that the fakes work as an attractive substitute, rather than as an attempt to imitate.

 

[pvb]

Apologies, this is no help at all. I'd want to avoid real teak for all the good reasons you gents have, but I'm still trying to convince myself that the fakes work as an attractive substitute, rather than as an attempt to imitate.

Interestingly, some boatbuilders now put fake teak on their boat show exhibits, rather than real teak. I can't imagine they'd showcase new products in that way if they weren't convinced that their fake teak is attractive.

 

[Greenheart]

Indeed. Much to be said for loud and proud, unashamed artificiality. I always liked Treadmaster very much, I think because I associate it with Westerlys I admired and coveted.

If what is used underfoot is distinctive but discreet, durable & grippy yet comfortable, its actual appearance is sure to recall in future its successful previous applications.

 

[michael_w]

I've just removed my boat's 26 year old teak deck. Filled and faired, then paint. False teak is like sillicone implants. You can't beat the real thing...

 

[nimbusgb]

8 tonnes of plastic hull and 'real' decking. Usually veneered ply from artificially grown timber.

Why use aluminium masts? Lets go back to spruce!

 

[wazza]

8 tonnes of plastic hull and 'real' decking. Usually veneered ply from artificially grown timber.

Why use aluminium masts? Lets go back to spruce!

I understand what you are getting at... I love my boat, solidly built Najad, but the teak deck is a foolish thing to have really with 1000's of holes drilled into what was a water tight surface, but it looks & feels good under foot, a spruce mast has no advantages.
If I could choose again would I have teak?? Well mine has lasted 33 years but I'd rather have a 'no maintenance' deck as there is a hell of a lot to maintain on a boat as it is...!!!

 

[Koeketiene]

So what, if you laid it yourself, did you think was good and why...?
Thanks..

Replaced our teak with Marinedeck 2000 (cork based) in 2008 (http://www.marinedeck.net/)

Pros:
- Looks more natural than some of the plastic alternatives. Colour now fading nicely.
- Minimal maintenance. Soft brush with 'green soap' and fresh water once a year.
- In winter it keeps the cold out and in summer it keeps the heath out.
- Very good non-slip properties.
- You can walk on it barefoot in warmer climes.
- Easy to work with.

Con:
- Was not the cheapest option.

Summary:
- Would recommend it.

 

[Kelpie]

Replaced our teak with Marinedeck 2000 (cork based) in 2008 (http://www.marinedeck.net/)

Pros:
- Looks more natural than some of the plastic alternatives. Colour now fading nicely.
- Minimal maintenance. Soft brush with 'green soap' and fresh water once a year.
- In winter it keeps the cold out and in summer it keeps the heath out.
- Very good non-slip properties.
- You can walk on it barefoot in warmer climes.
- Easy to work with.

Con:
- Was not the cheapest option.

Summary:
- Would recommend it.

Approximately how much does it cost, compared to the fake teak at £120/m2?

 

[Koeketiene]

Approximately how much does it cost, compared to the fake teak at £120/m2?

IIRC it was €180 m/sq (approx £150)

FWIW: Allure Yachts use it on their boats, as did Etap.

 

[wazza]

Replaced our teak with Marinedeck 2000 (cork based) in 2008 (http://www.marinedeck.net/)

Pros:
- Looks more natural than some of the plastic alternatives. Colour now fading nicely.
- Minimal maintenance. Soft brush with 'green soap' and fresh water once a year.
- In winter it keeps the cold out and in summer it keeps the heath out.
- Very good non-slip properties.
- You can walk on it barefoot in warmer climes.
- Easy to work with.

Con:
- Was not the cheapest option.

Summary:
- Would recommend it.

Thanks, been on their website and sent a mail as they don't seem to have any distributors in Sweden where I'm based..

Do you find a 'sponge feeling' when walking on it..? I ask this as on another thread there was a guy who had the cork type deck where it was like that..
How did you get yours laid? DIY or did they lay it?

 

[BabaYaga]

as they don't seem to have any distributors in Sweden where I'm based..

http://www.antesbatvarv.se/

 

[Cookee]

We have done a number of boats in Tekdek and the easiest way is to make a template and have them or a supplier to make each area up for you to stick down - painless and quite easy for a DIY job.

 

[robertj]

I had my cockpit replaced professionally. The chap asked if I had looked at the plastic stuff which, I dismissed immediately as remembering how plastic it looked.
At an anchorage last year was invited for a g&t and admired his brand new (I thought teak deck) which I complimented on the fitting and asked if he had done it himself, yes and it's not teak but plastic by flexi teak I think.
I was astounded at the quality of the look and it was 5yrs old aswell.

My teak looks feels and smells like real wood and when cleaned and looked after is beautiful, but that the crux of it, it does eat up time messing around with it which if I had my time again would have gone the plastic way!

 

[Koeketiene]

Thanks, been on their website and sent a mail as they don't seem to have any distributors in Sweden where I'm based..

Do you find a 'sponge feeling' when walking on it..? I ask this as on another thread there was a guy who had the cork type deck where it was like that..
How did you get yours laid? DIY or did they lay it?

1. Don't get a 'sponge feeling' at all - feels (and is) as solid as a rock. Also recall the thread about that - don't recall it was the same product. Also seem to recall it was a botched DIY application.
2. Application: found a guy in Antwerp who used to fit Marinedeck 2000 for Etap before they went belly up. Etap used it on their 46DS.

 

[wazza]

http://www.antesbatvarv.se/

Tack BabaYaga ;-)