Which deck finishing makes the boat look nicer?

[MapisM]

The debate on another thread made me curious to check what the asylum members think of these two alternatives.
As we all know, there are several differences also from a functional standpoint between teak and bare GRP, but the question here is strictly focused on aesthetic.
So, over to you guys, what alternative do you like better?

 

[MrB]

Teak all day.

 

[jfm]

Yup teak, kept straw brown, all day. With white caulking.

 

[TonyR123]

Teak. And feels better underfoot. Will ignore maintenance, wear & tear and replacement costs.

 

[BruceK]

I'm the odd one out then. I prefer bare grp on the deck unless it's sizeable and flat. Cockpit and swim platform is another story.

EDIT

So sorry for a brief digression. What is that arch on the bow rails for? I've wanted to know for a long time.

 

[Hurricane]

I know you said which looks nicer.
But that isn't fair.
Teak is more expensive and way harder to keep clean and looking nice.
How about a vote for Flexiteak!!!

 

[rubberduck]

I go from grp - real teak on a sliding scale, bigger the boat = more teak.
Can only be done on a case by case basis IMO
Just to confuse the pic in question I would go teak, I think

 

[[165042]]

I know you said which looks nicer.
But that isn't fair.
Teak is more expensive and way harder to keep clean and looking nice.
How about a vote for Flexiteak!!!

It's no harder to clean if maintained correctly - in fact try getting bird poo stains out of GRP - teak is easy by comparison! The clear downside of course is the cost of replacing a teak deck after 10 / 15 years use. At that point it's no longer a selling point but a reason to knock a huge amount of money off.

Flexiteak or any other artificial product is just vile IMO - it's just doesn't look or feel right.

 

[bedouin]

I would say teak but you know that on a GRP boat it is only there for show - adds cost, weight and maintenance headache for no (or very little) benefit.

Since a boat is primarily functional to marr that function for a supposed aesthetic mus look wrong. I might be persuaded to vote for a teak look alike

 

[Hurricane]

Flexiteak or any other artificial product is just vile IMO - it's just doesn't look or feel right.

You need to look at the latest offerings (especially from Flexiteak).
It really does look and feel like the real thing.

 

[NoviceRod]

Flexiteak - have stuck my neck out and ordered it for new boat, having looked at both Teak and Flexiteak alongside each other.

 

[Portofino]

Answering MapishM,s Q as if exam conditions wanting to do well well I said GRP .For those pics .

But here s my take seeing as most folks are chipping in there 0.02 p worth.- which is good btw

1st up define teak - what are we comparing ? 12 mm -6 mm - veneer s , what sort of borders ?

2nd up depends ( I think somebody allready made that point ^^ ) on which boat it’s applied to to and where .

Mine for example I think does not lend itself to teak decking ,how ever a big FB family barge / appartment does imho .
Image wise it’s sports Vs house comfort .
Think Lamborghini with a tow bar or food rack ,bull bars , top box then — fitted to say a family 4x4 - all that clobber looks right on one of those but not the other - Why ?

New teak boat ,with a view to move it on in a short time frame then the maintenance and the residuals point that JFM made is valid .10 y + and the bigger the boat ( think Bart ) then any wood in any shape or form is a liability from a £/€ pov
So there is a x over point from desirability to liability somewhere out there in the used market if you have a teak decked boat .
Here are some images

“Teak “.in general

https://imgur.com/gallery/cnP0M
Modal spec
https://imgur.com/gallery/LeyPu

 

[[165042]]

You need to look at the latest offerings (especially from Flexiteak).
It really does look and feel like the real thing.

It just doesn't though. It doesn't age, smell or feel like teak. Wood is natural and these products aren't however much they try. I appreciate their use but just not for me.

 

[NGM]

Side decks I'd happily leave as GRP.

Cockpit, Fly, Platform definitely teak, synthetic or a combo - 100% not GRP in these areas

 

[markc]

Really depends on the boat. I think MapisM's DP looks better with GRP decks. Teak or Flexiteek in cockpit and bathing platform.

 

[benjenbav]

Didn't we do this one about six months back and MM went for a paint finish in a shade just a pantone north of 'Oxford Stone'?

 

[oceanfroggie]

I know you said which looks nicer.
But that isn't fair.
Teak is more expensive and way harder to keep clean and looking nice.
How about a vote for Flexiteak!!!

The flexiteak doesn't suit warm climate, far too hot under bare foot after the sun has been on it for hours. White GRP or real teak more comfy under bare foot in hot climate. For me teak or synthetic substitute looks better.

 

[sprocker]

Our new to us boat came with Flexiteak cockpit, platform & side decks. I love the stuff and am now a convert!

Looking to get the flybridge done with the same material this year.

 

[Nigelpickin]

Nice deep pile carpet for me, or Astro turf a close second

 

[BruceK]

..... or Astro turf a close second

As odd as it may sound I might agree. I trialled a small section of Astroturf on my swim platform in an attempt to get the dog to be able to use the boat for it's mess in an emergency rather than rely on being able to get the tender to the beach each and every time the mutt was short. It didn't work but in many ways showed potential. For one I noticed a huge drop in sand being dragged into the cockpit by kids and animals a real pet peeve, it was also extremely easy to keep clean. And it was bizarrely quite comforting / soothing having a small section of green albeit artificial. As it's primary purpose failed I got rid, but in hindsight.....