Synthetic Teak Decking

boatsrock · 12-02-2008, 06:37 AM

What Is The Latest Opinion Regarding Synthetic Teak Decking.

K1W1 · 12-02-2008, 08:08 AM

Hi,

These guys seem to have the market cornered on the bigger boats.

I know of two using it who rave about it- foredecks and tender garages.

http://www.bolidt.com/root_uk/actuee...0&hoogt e=607

Pascal · 12-02-2008, 08:43 AM

for some reason i cant' get much info on that site...

my gripe about the fake stuff is the price... 40, 50, $60 a square foot for plastic? i cant' get over it... the real stuff is cheaper although requires more upkeep.

K1W1 · 12-02-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pascal

for some reason i cant' get much info on that site...

Hi,

They do seem to be having some shortcomings with the site today.

They quote a poured surface for between 15 Euro and 450 Euro a Sq M depending upon thickness and finish.

The two boats I have seen it used outside on had a teak like finish which was evidently sanded into the finished product then grooves were routed and caulking added. It feels like teak to walk around on in bare feet and according to one guy I know who is on a boat using it it is a pleasure to clean and look after. There is no need for Teak Cleaners etc for the areas using this type of decking material.

Capt. Bill11 · 12-02-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pascal

for some reason i cant' get much info on that site...

my gripe about the fake stuff is the price... 40, 50, $60 a square foot for plastic? i cant' get over it... the real stuff is cheaper although requires more upkeep.

Cheaper? I don't know about that. The last time I talked with Teak Decking Systems they wanted $110 per square foot for a new teak deck. And that was a couple of years ago. And since then the price of teak has done nothing but gone up and up.

Pascal · 12-02-2008, 12:06 PM

i had found teak decking planks last year at around $10 a sq ft, obviously plus install...

http://www.worldpanel.com/proddetail...decking&from=3

for smaller surfaces, this comes to around $30 a sq ft, in ready to install sheets, with the caulking between planks. the sheets aren't ideal for long decks because of curving, but woudl work well for cockpits, aft decks, flybridges, etc...

SeaEric · 12-02-2008, 12:14 PM

I have Flexiteek 45mm white on my 31 Chris Craft engine hatch deck area. I'm quite happy with the results and I think it looks great with my existing teak covering boards. It cost around $75/sq ft installed. It does get warm in the sun, but not too warm to walk on in bare feet. Curiously enough, the original Chris Craft dark beige color on the lower aft deck area does get too hot to walk on.

Capt. Bill11 · 12-02-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pascal

i had found teak decking planks last year at around $10 a sq ft, obviously plus install...

http://www.worldpanel.com/proddetail...decking&from=3

for smaller surfaces, this comes to around $30 a sq ft, in ready to install sheets, with the caulking between planks. the sheets aren't ideal for long decks because of curving, but woudl work well for cockpits, aft decks, flybridges, etc...

Yeah, but they are only 8mm or less than a third of an inch thick. Kind of thin for a deck. Not a lot of wood to work with as it wears down. Plus, as you noted, they are not curved.

Teak Decking's panels are a min. of 12mm and go up to 22mm. And come curved if you want.

Heck a good teck deck used to be 5/8 or thicker.

But that old $110 per square foot price was for a custom cut deck, installed as I recall.

NYCAP123 · 12-02-2008, 02:00 PM

One caution. I used to work a boat that had the fake teak coming from the bow, down the sides and then meeting real teak at the quarters into the stern. It looked terrible. Impossible to get the real teak to anything close to the color so it just looked like someone cheaped out. It works for boats under about 45', but I don't like the look on more serious yachts except in places like mentioned before (tender garage, etc.). Just a matter of taste. It does get a bit hot underfoot, but for easy of maintenance it has it hands down over teak. That said, well cared for teak catches a lot of attention.

SeaEric · 12-02-2008, 05:10 PM

No doubt. Flexiteek works best on late model fiberglass small craft. On a larger yacht with crew to maintain her- it should be the genuine article. Real teak decking and trimmings all the way.

You must admit though, the PVC stuff sure does dress up a plastic deck and platform!

NYCAP123 · 12-02-2008, 05:30 PM

"You must admit though, the PVC stuff sure does dress up a plastic deck and platform!"

Absolutely. I recently worked a boat show where we had a 45' express style rigged out to the max. It had the Flexteak from the swimplatform through to the helm. Very sharp, especially since she had tan-ish accent colors. There's nothing like real wood though.

Capt J · 12-03-2008, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt. Bill11

Cheaper? I don't know about that. The last time I talked with Teak Decking Systems they wanted $110 per square foot for a new teak deck. And that was a couple of years ago. And since then the price of teak has done nothing but gone up and up.

Teak decking systems was at $130 sq foot about a year ago when my friend had them replace a teak deck.

The fake teak, just looks well fake. I don't like it at all and would rather have nonskid instead of a fake teak deck.

Teak is really easy to maintain if people maintain it. I never have to use any 2 part cleaner on any of the vessels I maintain. Use sudsy ammonia just like you would use part 1, then Gary's Golden Teak like you would use part 2. You don't lose ANY grain from the teak and it looks as good as if you snappy'd it. However, if the teak is really bad you'll have to snappy it the first time around......then switch to the ammonia/gary's golden teak

SeaEric · 12-03-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt J

The fake teak, just looks well fake. I don't like it at all and would rather have nonskid instead of a fake teak deck.

Your thoughts on fake teak are certainly valid. However, I think the Flexiteek is an improvement over non-skid. It sure changes the look of this Regal 4460. For most owner maintained boats, Flexiteek is a good choice.

NYCAP123 · 12-03-2008, 09:00 AM

Can anybody speak to staining, fading, cutting or turning brittle with age?

K1W1 · 12-03-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

Can anybody speak to staining, fading, cutting or turning brittle with age?

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.