Teak Deck Question
Peter L. Huber wrote:
<snip> As I walk the marinas in MD from Harve de Grace to the Solomons
and across the Bay
Bridge and discuss the available trawlers with either the owners or the brokers, one of
the topics of conversation which surfaces is "teak decks" and the saying, "buyer be
careful".
From what I understand when the vessel was first purchased there were of course many
options. One of those was whether to include the teak decks. Many new owners opted to
include that option at the time of purchase.
The teak is laid on top of the fiberglass deck, correct? The deck was at that point in
time sound and solid. What causes the deck, with time, to eventually start to leak? I'm
sure it doesn't happen in all cases, but I've heard the comment so many times I'm
becoming deck-shy when I see a teak deck. Is it stress? If so, would the stress problem
not have developed if the teak had not been involved?
Pete,
I don't have teak decks, but as I understand it from listening to the
others who have had to repair/rebuild their decks, the leakage is into
the deck coring from the bizillion screw holes which fasten the teak to
the deck. These holes eventually allow water to saturate the deck.
Good luck,
Mel Knott
Sandpiper
West Indian 36
Annapolis, MD
the topics of conversation which surfaces is "teak decks" and the saying,
"buyer be
careful".
The teak is laid on top of the fiberglass deck, correct?
Usually cored fiberglass. ie: a core material like plywood, foam etc. with
fiberglass on the top and bottom.
The deck was at that point in
time sound and solid. What causes the deck, with time, to eventually start
to >leak?
Usually what happens is the teak decking is screwed to the fiberglass. The
wood has a different expansion rate than the fiberglass which will cause the
screw holes in the fiberglass to open up and let water in. Or, as what
happened to my boat, the bronze screws corroded away and left holes in the
fiberglass. The end result is the core gets soggy and has to be replaced. It
will be too late when you notice the problem. ALL teak decks will leak if
they are screwed down.
I'm
sure it doesn't happen in all cases,
I'll say it again, ALL teak decks will leak if the teak is screwed down.
Remove the teak and fill the holes then paint. Or if you still want the look
of the teak deck, relay the teak with an adhesive.
Morley
M/V Tortuga ( 35' Ta Chiao )
Cape Coral, Florida
Hi All,
I'm one of the newbie's here. I just came across the "list" and have found the topics of
conversation to be just great....
I don't have a boat, but I'm one of those guys who has been looking for the "trawler of
my dreams" for the past two years. A decent and dry MT 34 DC or SE, or an early Willard
30 Voyager, etc would fill the dream. Good ones are very hard to find via the normal
route and if they are there, they seem to be in CA, OR or WA and not here on the East
Coast, BUT with this thought in mind, a question.
As I walk the marinas in MD from Harve de Grace to the Solomons and across the Bay
Bridge and discuss the available trawlers with either the owners or the brokers, one of
the topics of conversation which surfaces is "teak decks" and the saying, "buyer be
careful".
From what I understand when the vessel was first purchased there were of course many
options. One of those was whether to include the teak decks. Many new owners opted to
include that option at the time of purchase.
The teak is laid on top of the fiberglass deck, correct? The deck was at that point in
time sound and solid. What causes the deck, with time, to eventually start to leak? I'm
sure it doesn't happen in all cases, but I've heard the comment so many times I'm
becoming deck-shy when I see a teak deck. Is it stress? If so, would the stress problem
not have developed if the teak had not been involved?
Best to all..... By the way, enjoyed the "boat shipping" topic....
-Pete