Teak decks

[Susie Reynolds]

Hi there folks, We are getting ready to get across to the UK to pick up Freedom, and do her sea trials and check her out and all the work that we have had done. One of the main jobs was to restore her teak decks. They are looking gorgeous. What advice from anybody on how to keep them up to condition, and in particular when we have to leave her in the UK and winter her for 6 months thereabouts? Thanks in advance, hear from you soon. Cheers for now. Susie.

[Kevin Cooke]

When were in the UK the biggest problem looking after our decks was the green algae that would collect. A very simple, inexpensive and non abrasive solution was 2 capfuls of Finish dishwasher gel in a bucket of water and either spray (with one of those little garden hand sprays) or mop a liberal coating over the deck. have a cup of tea and then hose off. We never sand the deck or use any kind of abrasive, especially a deck brush. The more you leave it alone the longer it lasts. The previous owner of our current boat used a high pressure washer, and the deck is now suffering as a result. Hope that helps. Kevin

[Susie Reynolds]

Erica, thanks, for all the info, we will give it a try. We are due to get over to get over to UK in the next month, so that will be our first opportunity to see the results of all the work that has been carried out on her. I'll have more news when we get going. She has had quite a facelift so it will be exciting. Are you sailing at the moment, or being winter over there are you laid up for the time being ? best wishes, Susie

[Ocean Girl]

Murphy's oil soap, 3M scrubbies when needed (no bristle brushes ever!) and salt her down once in a while. Once teak decks are restored (which it sounds like you did) they are very easy to maintain. Here in Texas, I only salted my decks once a month or so. It might need more salting where you are due to rain(?), I never needed to oil my decks (many people do though), I found that oiling tends to attract dirt. The decks I worked on were already seasoned and in very good shape (very dense with it's own oil). The oil in the teak will work its way up to the surface. If your decks seem brittle then they need more seasoning (oil).
Teak deck care can be different from boat to boat, it is a learning process. You will know you are doing right by your teak decks when they silver out (not grey), have great traction, and don't get really hot in the sun. In other words, when walking on them in bare feet is a luxurious treat :).


Hope that helps,
Erika

PS a great book for teak care is "Brightwork" by rebecca wittman, she cover teak decks, salting, and such.

[Susie Reynolds]

Thanks Phil, our problem will be during a UK winter when we cannot be there on a regular basis. Hopefully we will find somebody by then to give us a hand and visit the boat for us. what boat do you sail, and whereabouts are you at the mo? cheers for now. Susie and Charles.

[Phil Prater]

zeehag says that teak decks are spozed to be flushed with sea water every day--to keep them in good shape-- good luck...any other substance on the decking ruins the natural nonskid surface the teak wood maintains naturally.....when not in use--make sure surface is clean---scrub lightly with sea water and scrubbie pad--like a swifter only a 3m scrub pad--and rinse then add teak oil...let the oil seep into the wood ..when dry and no longer shiny, then step on it .keep the sea water on it every day, as the installers tell ye to do...DO NOT SAND THEM--only wears off the teak, and at minimum of 80 usd per board ft, you do not want to do that......