John,
I am curious as to why you didnt attempt to refurbish the existing panels by removing the black caulking, 2 part cleaner, sanding, recaulking, and application of new teak sealer.
So, I have read that on earlier Beneteau models, the panels were screwed down with 5/8" #10 screws and then covered with teak plugs.
I have not seen any evidence of plugs on my panels; evidently, they are adhered to the underlying fiberglass seats, with an adhesive (hopefully not 5200). Might want to send an email to Ward Richardson at Beneteau to determine what sealer was used to adhere the panels to the substrate. In the article that I read, the owner was refurbishing, not replacing the panels, so removing all of the old caulk was paramount to obtaining a satisfactory result. After the caulk was removed, the teak grooves were sanded thoroughly, vacuumed, and wiped with acetone. All areas that were not caulked were masked with blue painter's tape. The caulk that was used was Teak Decking Systems
SIS440 caulk that was rated excellent in a Practical Sailor caulk durability test (2013). After, the caulk was allowed to set for a prescribed period of time, the masking tape was removed and the teak sealed with a couple coats of Semco teak sealer. Might want to check on You Tube, Jamestown distributors, and boat works today (Andy) for how to videos.
Please update (with photos) when you finish your project. I am sure that I will have to refurbish or replace mine in a few years...if not sooner.
