Cork decking: 200-300 We calculated the weight of our panels on a m2 basis. Photo: Ainhoa Sanchez/VOR. And teak isnt particularly flexible, so dealing with curves and/or arched decks can be tricky. we tested is, in alphabetical order, the Flexiteek, the Permateek and the Plasdeck. Thanks for this article, very interesting! The test started at lunch time, that is the hottest time of the day. It proved to be multi-purpose, highly efficient in all respects and even the most similar one to natural wood. Belvoir Media Group, LLC. Its colour is light biscuit. This product is also marketed as PlasDECK by a company called PlasTEAK. They look great at boat shows and at chic Mediterranean quays, as well as providing excellent non-slip properties in the most demanding of conditions. Especially if these boats are equipped with a flybridge: a lower weight on this means lower rolling for the yacht itself. ConclusionsIts a bit premature for us to make any firm recommendations at this pointwell know a lot more after our extended exposure tests are completed. Unfortunately, a ban on importing this illegal timber into the EU hasnt stopped the trade, as evidenced by court cases in countries including Denmark, Sweden, Germany and Holland following the discovery of illegally imported teak. We therefore decided to compare the best of the current production in a no-holds-barred test. We lust after a bright-finished classic wooden yachtone by Herreschoff, say, or Aldenbut yield to the practicalities and buy a fiberglass sloop. The synthetic teak we tested is, in alphabetical order, the Flexiteek, the Permateek and the Plasdeck. Flexiteek, instead, while not registering the lowest surface temperature, when it came into a prolonged contact with our foot, proved to have the lowest warmth retention capacity. For applications where wide sections of straight planking are required, Tek-Dek also supplies a wider, 4-plank section. Learn how your comment data is processed. Esthec, meanwhile is formed from natural components, without the harmful ingredients commonly found in PVCs. A key problem is illegal logging of rainforest in Myanmar, one of the only four countries in which the species grows. The main goal of our test was to see the real reaction of the three materials to the contamination caused by the overthrow of some of the most common staining products, those that pass on the deck day by day: coffee, wine, vinegar and sunscreen. PlasDECK is made in particular extrusions for specific layouts. All are lighter than teak, which is a consideration if youre trying to keep above-the-waterline weight down. The synthetic teak decking systems weve seentwo PVC-based and one cork-basedare, once installed, quite similar in appearance and texture. The use of synthetic teak in marine decking is quickly and successfully replacing that of the natural wood. Despite their slightly textured surface, which replicates the grain of real wood, dirt and stains stay on the surface of PVC decking, so it can be cleaned relatively easily with a wet cloth and maybe soapy water. Another supplier, Ocean Cork, produces 8mm planks as standard, but 4mm is available if weight is critical. 1. When installed over aggressive non-skid, the grooved back may allow for water penetration. However, Lignia decks are just as labour intensive to lay as real teak. Natural teak haslong been a material of choice for boatbuilding. To lay out a deck, you first cut and fit the margins (and the king plank if youre using one), allowing a gap for caulking at each joint. Still, Flexiteek seems to us best suited for professional installation, or at least for installation by someone familiar with pattern-making, who has experience in fitting large surfaces, and perhaps a handy friend or two when it comes time to lay sections in place and secure them. A thicker deck is usually not an option, due to the high cost of teak and the amount of above-the-waterline weight that this would introduce. DRB Marine A UV inhibitor in the coating would obviously be of benefit, but coating the deck would bring you back into the endless cycle of periodic refinishingwhich teak decking is supposed to eliminate. This is maybe inevitable with a plastic material that, after all, is not so different from natural wood that, unlike synthetic teak, cannot be repaired if not with a long work. remains lower, which contributes to reduce heeling when sailing while improving performance. Comparative test for the three leaders of synthetic teak decking. And, to reassure us that our measurements were meaningful, one of our testers stood on each deck and made subjective evaluations of how slippery each was. You then glue down these pieces, using a two-part epoxy, and hold them in place with weights. In many cases they also offer multiple advantages over real teak, including better longevity. I am in search for a synthetic deck manufacturer who has already templates for FP Lavezzi 40 Please email me at ron.gritz@gmail.com if you happen to know one. The International Yachting Mediais the worlds most widely readboating magazines network. Your email address will not be published. VAT). Ditch the teak Teak is no longer universally popular. When the sections are joined, the resulting deck appears to consist of 1-7/8 planks separated by 3/16 wide black caulking strips. (Natural teak decks are sometimes subjected to this kind of damage.) Our web portals are the main source of information for yachtand boatowners, the place where they can find anything about theirboating passion. Were anticipating an opportunity to work out some of our aggressions, as well as the chance to study what looks like an interesting and useful group of products. One of the major claims made for these synthetic teak decks is stain resistance. VAT). For. All three have non-skid properties comparable to teak, both wet and dry. The only request we made was that the synthetic teak to be sent to us was their best product and the one most similar to natural teak. Esthec seamless decking installed on a Princess R35. Thank you! SeaDek is popular with ocean racers. Permateek is another popular brand name and has recently introduced new shades that better mimic the grain of real teak. Gisatex offers a more economic PVC product, at 69 per square metre, but in a thinner textured, non-slip material that makes no attempt to match the grain of teak. We thank all three manufacturers that, as proof of their good faith, accepted the test without hesitation. Marinedeck 2000 consists of cork granules with a synthetic polyurethane binder. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Available products can be split into four broad categories: Many of these dont absorb liquids and are therefore easy to keep clean as any dirt stays on the surface. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You have entered an incorrect email address! The three materials have a much different side B. Flexiteek is highly processed and shows a series of grooves (another patent of the company) that facilitate gluing without bubbles and slipping effects. As my Company handles the Importing for the Americas, lets remember that DRB chose not to go with an existing factory that had worked well for the last three years, and continues to increase the quality control levels in order to maintain the #1 status. I have found the 2G has a tendency to mold on the surface where the others do not. Thank you! But they dont seem natural at all. The company, which has been established for 10 years, sells matched repair kits for 10 and says a very long lifespan is expected. Light weight is a further advantage, but custom panels are not available. So far, Tek-Dek and MarineDeck 2000 have exhibited the best resistance to staining and the easiest clean-up. The Flexiteek approach is clearly best suited for applications where straight, parallel planking is required. The company recently extended its warranty to 10 years. All rights reserved. The upcoming Spirit 44E will be fitted with teak-effect solar panels. Unlike Tek-Dek and PlasDECK, which assemble mats by cementing tongue-and-groove joints together, Flexiteek uses heat to weld the thermoplastic sections togethera system not suited to DIY assembly. 2021 - THE INTERNATIONAL YACHTING MEDIA Designed by BLive Communication. In recent years, PVC has also shown up in the form of synthetic teak decking. Over time, if not exposed to pollutants, teak gradually ages to an attractive silver-gray color. And teak decks get hot enough in bright sunlight to be distinctly uncomfortable to bare feet and skin.Decks in the old days tended to be fashioned from solid teak planks an inch or more thick, but a modern teak deck typically measures from a quarter inch down to a something in the veneer range, and is ordinarily laid on top of a structural fiberglass deck. Prices for Marinedeck 2000 start at 320/m2 (ex VAT) including adhesives, while custom panels cost 520/m2 (ex. The time-honored practice of sanding the teaks surface (holystoning) was a much more practical approach when decks were solid teak and crews had lots of time on their hands. Given the high cost of replacement this can have a significant impact on a yachts resale value. Colour shades can also be matched to products of companies such as Flexiteek. In addition to thermometric measurements, we also tested the sensation of warmth transmitted by the materials, walking barefoot on the different teak panels. My main problem with boat fenders is that they appear to violate the cardinal rule of cruising: any object you bring aboard should serve at least two purposes (the way your crewmate's favorite yellow shirt makes a great Q flag). Indeed, Flexiteek is now produced fully at this factory with glowing success! Common advice is to look for a product with large cork grains as these cope better with impact. Flexiteek is available in a standard 5mm thickness and 11 colours, with plank widths from 45mm-200mm to replicate everything from planking to covering boards and cappings. Sanding can present further problems if the sandpaper picks up caulking material and deposits it in the teaks grain. However, it is also true that boat owners, or better their personal tastes, have the final say. We wont be evaluating long-term UV resistance in this case, other than to report on the condition of our samples in a years time. Bleaches and chemical cleaners workat least to some extentbut tend to remove the oils that made teak the choice in the first place. Lignia, shown to great effect here on the decks of the Spirit 50CR, is a real softwood product treated to give it the appearance and longevity of teak. SeaDek, which is made from a closed-cell PE/EVA foam is popular throughout the racing world, from sportsboats to the Americas Cup and the Ocean Race. Teak doesnt look good from a sustainability perspective either. It is 6-8mm thick and is available with a strong 3M self-adhesive backing to minimise labour costs when fitting. Permateek is made of harder and rougher plastic, Flexiteek is softer while Plasdeck is somewhere in between. Saffiers SE37 daysailer is fitted with PVC decks from Esthec. We followed (and evaluated) instructions, and (if we thought they were required) we used manufacturers technical support. The grooved back of Flexiteek is only good on paper! As a result, the only way to be absolutely certain a source of teak is sustainable is to use salvaged material (or to ensure that the teak can be GPS-traced back to stump). We tried many times and we reached a 36-degree inclination: an excellent goal, beyond which no material produced enough friction for the shoe to remain glued to the surface. Cork, in this application, has superior thermal and sound insulation properties, as well as being highly resistant to damage from UV light, salt water, and even chemicals. The teak option reduces output by only 6-8% compared to an equivalent standard panel, while custom sizes and shapes can be created without increasing prices. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The result is the same for all the three products: stains were removed with a simple cleaning carried out with the hands under the flowing water. MarineDeck 2000 costs $28 to $29 per square foot (exterior grade), which includes adhesives and all other materials, and comes with a five-year warranty. removed everything with what is the most used method on each boat, ie water. Modern teak decking is thin enough so that frequent sanding just isnt feasible, although occasional sanding can be called for if the surface is severely stained or scarred. Hennevanger says it is not necessarily a cheaper option to teak, but thinks it should last forever. First of all, we decided to analyze the aesthetic appearance and therefore the element that makes both boat owners and their guests fall in love at first sight. We determined how easy it is to cut, caulk, and assemble each. Also With This ArticleValue Guide: Synthetic Teak, Contacts Flexiteek Americas, Inc., 954/973-4335, www.flexiteekusa.com PlasTEAK, 800/320-1841, www.plasteak.com Tek-Dek International, 604/880-3737, www.tek-dek-international.com MarineDeck 2000 (STAZO Marine Equipment), 207/354-0914, www.stazo.nl, www.marquipt.com. The Permateek was the hottest one, with a temperature of 60.8 degrees, followed by the Flexiteek with a temperature of 57.3 degres and the Plasdeck with 53.5 degrees. The following table shows the overall weight of teak decking on a 13-meter sailboat. These sections feature tongue-and-groove joints, with molded-in caulking strips. FlexiteekFlexiteek is made by a company based in Nelson, New Zealand, with distributors around the world, including Florida, California, Georgia, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Thank you, I am looking for a template for my 37 ft 1989 Pearson Sail boat. Firstly it doesnt last forever, especially if a modern, and likely relatively thin, teak deck is scrubbed regularly. Mailport: X-yachts, Soverel 33, tropical storms, Designing a Dump Line for the Multihull Mainsheet, Test Driving Furunos Cutting Edge Compass, Green Boating From a Practical Perspective, PS Advisor: Belaying Safety for Mast Climbing. The maximum inclination reached by the shoe without slipping was very similar for all materials. The 2G version, launched six years ago, is fully recyclable, while microballoons are used in place of chalk filler, which reduces heat absorption (certain PVC deck types and colours have been known to get very hot in direct sun). First published in the April 2020 edition of Yachting World. Many manufacturers offer a range of colours, with the most popular being shades close to freshly-scrubbed teak, or silvered, weathered teak. We are due for another update soon. And while it will last for a long, long time without maintenance, it wont necessarily look good that long. The total cost for boats of similar sizes can therefore vary dramatically depending on the complexity of each of the panel shapes. AmperAuto: production synergies between automotive and yachting sectors, PlasDeck: the synthetic teak chosen by TECNOMAR FOR LAMBORGHINI, CMC Marine: the range expands with Eliche Radice, GlassRenu makes your yachts glass look like new again. You then fill in the remaining deck area with the tongue-and groove sections. Sailing, it seems, involves a constant struggle between heart and brain, with a similar dynamic ocurring between time and money. Saffier has since built nearly 500 yachts with Esthec decks, all without any problems. This is an important aspect to take into account when dealing with a boat. Of course, its a subjective yet important choice since, once chosen, the synthetic teak has the implicit characteristic of maintening the same appearance over years. The sales and marketing focus is on larger yachts and production boatbuilders, different approach toward installation, effectively removing the Y from D-I-Y. contamination caused by the overthrow of some of the most common staining products, those that pass on the deck day by day: coffee, wine, vinegar and sunscreen. Hi Jim, Search the site synthetic teak or faux teak or any of the brands you are interested in and youll see several additional tests, including the follow-up to this one, that might answer your questions. Anyone who saw the Spirit 50CR at last years Southampton Boat Show can attest that a quality yacht with Lignia decks will look stunning. Yachting News is an interactive multimedia magazine dedicated to the world of boating. Flexiteek decking on the SW105 Kiboko III. Rounded edge pieces, or margin boards make for a neat installation, and if a complete deck is desired (rather than, say, a hatch cover), a wider central king plank can be obtained. An uncoated deck will absorb very little moisture, and provide superior traction. The texture can be anything from smooth to hairy. not so much on the DIY market. Another difference between the three products concerns the width of slats and seams. Plasdeck, too, is biscuit-colored but its finishes are less processed, which makes it look a little flatter and less natural. These synthetic teak panels are offered for sale in many colour options, so you can choose the colour combination you like the most or that best matches your boat. Tye Conway of UK-based decking specialist Elite-Teak says that typical installed prices in the UK are often lower than elsewhere in northern Europe, with many jobs falling into the following price ranges (ex. Natural teak decking isnt without its downsides, though. So, we contacted the three companies and asked for some samples. Cer-Deck, sold by Italian company Ceredi, also has a soft, slightly cushioned feel, very high resistance to degradation in sunlight and is colour stable. Temperature concerns while there are many aspects to consider. At regular intervals, we measured the temperature with an infrared thermometer. All are 74 long, and vary in width and thickness. If Permateek submitted a similar color to the others, the temperature difference is insignificant. In order to test grip, we decided to carry out a very simple test: to create an inclined plane where to put our teak samples with a sailing shoe containing a weight on it.

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