Laid decks - Forward to the past

[gdallas]

Lots of threads about teak decks, and the perils of plywood. My boat needs new decks and after long philosphical and structural discussions with the man who's going to do the work, we have decided to replace the original laid 1 inch teak with new 1 inch teak, fastened to the beams, caulked and payed. No subdeck.

Several reasons:
1/. The old deck has lasted about 50 years. Some of that time it was getting pretty light use only, and it certainly needs replacing now, but 50 years is really rather good.
2/. I bought a traditionally designed and constructed boat because that's what I like, so why compromise it?
3/. It wasn't broke, so there's no need to fix it. There are no signs of wringing/wracking/distortion, so we think the old construction method and material was fit for purpose.

I'll let you know how it goes...

[RonW]

Sounds like -logical conclusion and sound judgement to me.

[chucksw]

I'm curious. Nothing wrong with solid teak... Did you get cost figures 1" teak vs. doing a teak layer on plywood? Vs. plywood with epoxy and glass on the deck surface?

Chuck

[RGM]

Good call! Be picky about quality and grain orientation of the decking material. What you might reject from your decking stock could serve very well for interior or exterior trim, etc. Sounds like you're lined up with a good shipwright.

[gdallas]

Originally posted by chucksw:
I'm curious. Nothing wrong with solid teak... Did you get cost figures 1" teak vs. doing a teak layer on plywood? Vs. plywood with epoxy and glass on the deck surface?

ChuckI didnt get prices for the ply/glass option - not what I wanted. There is little difference between the teak laid price as opposed to teak on ply price. But it's all part of a much bigger schedule of work - including repairs to the atil feather, beamshelf/clamp, new sheerstrakes etc etc etc

[Dan McCosh]

Is really a 1 ins. (5/4) deck? I'm curious as to what could have happened to that thickness of teak, even in 50 years, to warrant a complete replacement. Seems like a lot of wood to have worn thin, etc.

[Thad Van Gilder]

I have always found a solid teak (or fir, cedar...) to be cheaper than teak over glass over ply. There is just a much higher materials and labor cost!!!!

By the way, It is not uncommon to loose 1/2 inch of teak in 50 years, leaving 1/2 inch of teak, which would have been completely shot!!!!

-Thad
S/V IVY

[Magwitch]

Originally posted by gdallas:
we have decided to replace the original laid 1 inch teak with new 1 inch teak, fastened to the beams, caulked and payed. No subdeck.

Good man, you won't be sorry and the next few owners will bless your name,,,,,,,,,,, smile.gif

IanW

[PeterSibley]

Having read and reread Gary Maynard's articles on laid decking I do believe it is the way I will go ....1 1/4" yellow stringy bark, a bit more movement than teak but about 10% of the price smile.gif smile.gif and slightly better durability.