Synthetic Teak Decking

Capt Bill11 · 12-03-2008, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

I have been told by a guy who has it on the foredeck and in the Tender Garage of a yacht that it does not stain and cleans like cleaning the outside of the boat with normal cleaning products.

I guess it is going to have to wait for time to tell if the Bolidt System I linked to above has any shortcoming or other issues outlined in your post NYCAP.

Based upon the recommendation I received from the guy with it on his foredeck and tender garages I am recommending it to an Owner for the same locations now.

I keep hearing stories of it coming unglued over time in the S.Fl. and Caribbean sun and heat like Treadmaster did. Anybody seen that?

SeaEric · 12-03-2008, 01:20 PM

I have never heard of Flexiteek coming un-glued on its own. In fact, I recently spoke to a guy who had to take a section of Flexiteek up off the deck of his Jersey sportfish. He needed to replace a fuel tank that was below. This guy and his father worked with hammers and chisels for the better part of a week. He said it was quite a task. They got the deck panel up, undamaged. He plans to glue the Flexiteek decking back down after the tank replacement.

Some of the other boat owner installed, do-it-yourself decking products may be having installation failures. That would not be a surprise.

NYCAP123 · 12-03-2008, 01:39 PM

"This guy and his father worked with hammers and chisels for the better part of a week."

Hammers and chisels on a fiberglass deck?

Glad it worked out, but I'd have been more inclined to use heat, an adhesive remover and patience.

K1W1 · 12-03-2008, 02:24 PM

Hi,

Just to make it clear the product I am talking about here is a completely poured and screeded product. There is nothing glued to any substrata except the steel deck, it is around 20mm thick in the applications I have seen.

The guy who has given me his thoughts and experiences with it also says it is easy to repair if mechanically damaged.

The boats I have seen it on and had a report back about are yachts over 250' with steel hulls and decks. (up to Maindeck anyway)

NYCAP123 · 12-03-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K1W1

Hi,

Just to make it clear the product I am talking about here is a completely poured and screeded product. There is nothing glued to any substrata except the steel deck, it is around 20mm thick in the applications I have seen.

The guy who has given me his thoughts and experiences with it also says it is easy to repair if mechanically damaged.

The boats I have seen it on and had a report back about are yachts over 250' with steel hulls and decks. (up to Maindeck anyway)

That doesn't sound like the same stuff. The stuff pictured I believe comes in a sheet. What you're describing sounds like a substitute for non-skid.

K1W1 · 12-03-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

That doesn't sound like the same stuff. The stuff pictured I believe comes in a sheet. What you're describing sounds like a substitute for non-skid.

NYCAP- It is nothing like Non Skid, it looks and feels like teak.

Here is a picture albeit not a very good one.

NYCAP123 · 12-03-2008, 03:41 PM

Yeah, that's the stuff.

K1W1 · 12-03-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

Yeah, that's the stuff.

Hi,

This stuff does NOT come in sheets it is a poured , sanded, grooves routed into it and caulked to look l and feel like Teak.

ERTW · 12-04-2008, 09:21 AM

I've looked into the flexi-teak before, from the installation instructions provided on the net, looks fairly do-it yourself. Mind you to pour and then router and sand, sounds like something I'd leave for the pro's. I've seen a picture of a bathroom(house) done with the flexi-teak, also a balcony. I've also been in a hotel bar that had the flexi-teak and it went well with the nautical theme looked like it was holding up to the traffic too.

JWY · 12-04-2008, 03:42 PM

I have had several steel trawlers with Marinedeck 2000 on fore, side, aft decks and swim platform. Marinedeck is a cork/epoxy composite and looks like teak and holly except corky instead of teaky. It's comfortable to walk on for temperature and texture, easy to maintain, highly stain resistant, and easy to repair. Some considerate dockwalker threw a cigarette on the swim platform and the 2" burn repair was easy and invisible. These decks always looked great (if you like the aesthetics to start with) after several years.

Professional recommendation is a must as are smooth decks. I had one vessel with a do-it-yourself owner with a not so fair surface and I was concerned that small "air pockets" seemed like a great potential problem for water being trapped against the steel deck beneath.

Judy Waldman
JW Yachts

Pascal · 12-04-2008, 03:51 PM

i've seen Marindeck 2000 adn while nice, it really doesn't look like Teak at all.

Capt Bill11 · 12-04-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pascal

i've seen Marindeck 2000 adn while nice, it really doesn't look like Teak at all.

I'd have to agree with Pascal. While I like Marindeck and have had good luck with it, it doesn't look like teak up close.

Laterus · 12-16-2008, 06:52 AM

I don't have anything to do with this product, nor the company but it caught my attention at the METS this year ....I was rather impressed and almost fooled. Caprails, rubbing rails too! Check out www.aikona.co.uk.
Just another alternative if you're interested. Seeing their product up close it the best way to judge though.

NYCAP123 · 12-16-2008, 07:48 AM

Call me picky, but this is my biggest problem with these coverings: "Aikona decking is guaranteed for 10 years for normal foot traffic when installed and maintained in accordance with the Aikona warranty and the following guidance on surface preparation, installation and maintenance." This sounds like you have maybe 5 or 6 years of a (hopefully) great looking product. Then what? For the interior it is definately great, but does anybody have long term experience with any of this stuff in an abusive (sun/salt water,etc.) situation? Has anybody restored a deck after this has been applied? I keep thinking of those fiberglass "mahogany" launches that looked so good before they had a few years in the sun and a few other products that have come out over the years. 10 years later a fiberglass deck can look brand new with a little compounding. What does it take to make this look new?

captbpomeroy · 12-16-2008, 09:03 AM

Why is there not more use of alternative woods? I get the feeling that ipe, the Brazilian hardwood that is often used for decking, would make a wonderful substitute. It is very attractive, rock solid hard, and would probably hold up better than teak. AND you would get the warmth and beauty of natural wood. I however, cannot speak to its cost.