Considering the amount of exterior teak on late model production sailboats, you'd think the manufacturers were part of the save the rainforest gang. Do you like modern sailboats that way or do you think they look too sterile? If you had more time to deal with sanding and varnishing, would you opt for more exterior wood trim or teak decks or an all-wood hull? Or would you rather spend more time sailing than caring for and admiring the beauty of the wood? How much exterior wood do you have on your boat and how do you treat it? Do you keep up with the sanding or varnishing or use teak oil or just let it weather? Share your thoughts on exterior wood and its care and be sure to vote in the Quick Quiz on the bottom of the home page. (Quiz by Gary Wyngarden)
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Love the look, hate the work
I think there is nothing more beautiful than a well-maintained boat with lots of brightwork. Conversely, there are few things sadder than a wooden boat gone to pot. Even so, If I had more time to spend with my boat, I would rather spend it sailing than varnishing/finishing. My Oday 23 has teak cabintop rails, teak hatchboard rails, and polyurethaned plywood hatch boards. I love the way they look after I clean and finish them, but still can't bring myself to spend the time to do so more than once a year (if that often).
I think there is nothing more beautiful than a well-maintained boat with lots of brightwork. Conversely, there are few things sadder than a wooden boat gone to pot. Even so, If I had more time to spend with my boat, I would rather spend it sailing than varnishing/finishing. My Oday 23 has teak cabintop rails, teak hatchboard rails, and polyurethaned plywood hatch boards. I love the way they look after I clean and finish them, but still can't bring myself to spend the time to do so more than once a year (if that often).
RATHER BE SAILING!!!!!!!!!!
I've known people who gladly spend most weekends on their boats...tied to the dock. Working away at various boat projects. If that gives them joy fine. But my wife and I like to sail. We do just enough to keep everything working ... mostly. The farther south I've lived the less I like boat work. Breathing toxic fumes and dust while noseeums are biting and sweat dripping into my eyes is not the way I want to spend my weekends. Have you noticed that a perfectly pleasant day sitting in the shade with a breeze and drinking cool drinks is quickly ruined when you start to work??? But in the great white north it is pleasant to do some sanding and painting in a heated shed while waiting for the snow to melt.
I've known people who gladly spend most weekends on their boats...tied to the dock. Working away at various boat projects. If that gives them joy fine. But my wife and I like to sail. We do just enough to keep everything working ... mostly. The farther south I've lived the less I like boat work. Breathing toxic fumes and dust while noseeums are biting and sweat dripping into my eyes is not the way I want to spend my weekends. Have you noticed that a perfectly pleasant day sitting in the shade with a breeze and drinking cool drinks is quickly ruined when you start to work??? But in the great white north it is pleasant to do some sanding and painting in a heated shed while waiting for the snow to melt.
Plastic Teak for me.
I love the looks of real teak. On my boat that would be the traveler bases, the winch pads, the companionway trim, dorade boxes, and 30 feet of handrails. Only the winch pads are yet to be replaced with PlasTeak. Even as a retiree I do not have the time for varnishing.
I love the looks of real teak. On my boat that would be the traveler bases, the winch pads, the companionway trim, dorade boxes, and 30 feet of handrails. Only the winch pads are yet to be replaced with PlasTeak. Even as a retiree I do not have the time for varnishing.
Bright work
My exposed wood consists of two hatchboards, the stiffener on the companionway plexiglass, and the sternrail seats. All were disassembled, removed from the boat and cleaned, then reinstalled this spring. That's enough. I'd rather sail.
My exposed wood consists of two hatchboards, the stiffener on the companionway plexiglass, and the sternrail seats. All were disassembled, removed from the boat and cleaned, then reinstalled this spring. That's enough. I'd rather sail.
Sailing not woodworking
Much rather be sailing than sanding. When the weather turns nice, I want to be out on the water not back at the dock. I have just a couple of bits of exposed teak above decks, lots of wood below decks requiring little maintenance.
Much rather be sailing than sanding. When the weather turns nice, I want to be out on the water not back at the dock. I have just a couple of bits of exposed teak above decks, lots of wood below decks requiring little maintenance.
Not on a modern design!
IMHO teak on a modern design looks out of place, as if it were an after thought. These boats (and I have an h376) are not designed to be a thing of beauty, but rather to meet the demands of the market. Form follows function is the key word; why else would the beam be carried so far back. (Saw my boat from the rear a while back and damn does she does have a big ass! *butt Now don't get me wrong, I love my boat, the space down below in the aft cabin is a major improvement over a quarter berth, however I would not call her a classic beauty. A pleasure to sail, vacation on and maintain, yes, but a thing of beauty, well not exactly. And putting teak hand rails or toe rails wooden't
make her look any better, just like a fat lady in a bikini. I don't want to start a fight over design, and beauty, that’s just my opinion, and remember I own and love one of these. I suspect this is why I am building a wooden 18' day sailor. She will be lots of work, but hopefully she will be a thing of beauty. Russell
IMHO teak on a modern design looks out of place, as if it were an after thought. These boats (and I have an h376) are not designed to be a thing of beauty, but rather to meet the demands of the market. Form follows function is the key word; why else would the beam be carried so far back. (Saw my boat from the rear a while back and damn does she does have a big ass! *butt Now don't get me wrong, I love my boat, the space down below in the aft cabin is a major improvement over a quarter berth, however I would not call her a classic beauty. A pleasure to sail, vacation on and maintain, yes, but a thing of beauty, well not exactly. And putting teak hand rails or toe rails wooden't
make her look any better, just like a fat lady in a bikini. I don't want to start a fight over design, and beauty, that’s just my opinion, and remember I own and love one of these. I suspect this is why I am building a wooden 18' day sailor. She will be lots of work, but hopefully she will be a thing of beauty. RussellTGFF&SS
There are few things that look better than a traditional design sail boat with well maintained brightwork...as long as it's somebody else's. Having been around boats for most of my life, and remembering the work that goes into arriving at, and maintaining that gorgeous varnished teak, I say "Thank God for fiberglass and stainless steel."
There are few things that look better than a traditional design sail boat with well maintained brightwork...as long as it's somebody else's. Having been around boats for most of my life, and remembering the work that goes into arriving at, and maintaining that gorgeous varnished teak, I say "Thank God for fiberglass and stainless steel."
No Brightwork!
No teak topsides! I had an '88 Catalina 34 that had some teak, and to keep it looking good took almost constant maintenance. Looked great, but lots of work. Recently moved up to a '99 Catalina 380 - not a single piece of teak exposed to weather and I LOVE it! Now I can enjoy the boat instead of deal with the sandpaper, brushes, Cetol/varnish, mineral spirits to clean up with, blah, blah, blah. Like someone said, the teak looks beautiful.....on someone else's boat!
No teak topsides! I had an '88 Catalina 34 that had some teak, and to keep it looking good took almost constant maintenance. Looked great, but lots of work. Recently moved up to a '99 Catalina 380 - not a single piece of teak exposed to weather and I LOVE it! Now I can enjoy the boat instead of deal with the sandpaper, brushes, Cetol/varnish, mineral spirits to clean up with, blah, blah, blah. Like someone said, the teak looks beautiful.....on someone else's boat!
It ain't that hard
A little teak enhances the classic lines of the boat and it isn't that hard to maintain. A nice windless morning, once a year is plenty to keep it up if you stay ahead of it and don't wait until it is in bad shape.
A little teak enhances the classic lines of the boat and it isn't that hard to maintain. A nice windless morning, once a year is plenty to keep it up if you stay ahead of it and don't wait until it is in bad shape.
Would rather sail than varnish
There is a reason that very few boats are made of wood these days. Most people do not have the time and money required to keep up a wood boat. Yes, they are strong and look good when kept up, but that luxury is for the rich or wood boat enthusiast. My boat has some exterior wood trim. It looks nice, but still I will have to spend a month of weekends per year just to maintain the woodwork. (Removing the wood trim, sanding it, refinishing both sides, fixing the now oversize screw holes, and bedding the wood back on the hull.) Since I can sail only on weekends, and perhaps two weekends a month on the average, I prefer a good boat that I can sail with minimum down-time. It is like choosing between a Honda or Toyota, compared with a Jaguar. The Jaguar looks cool, has an aura of class; the Honda and Toyota provide reliable, comfortable transportation.
There is a reason that very few boats are made of wood these days. Most people do not have the time and money required to keep up a wood boat. Yes, they are strong and look good when kept up, but that luxury is for the rich or wood boat enthusiast. My boat has some exterior wood trim. It looks nice, but still I will have to spend a month of weekends per year just to maintain the woodwork. (Removing the wood trim, sanding it, refinishing both sides, fixing the now oversize screw holes, and bedding the wood back on the hull.) Since I can sail only on weekends, and perhaps two weekends a month on the average, I prefer a good boat that I can sail with minimum down-time. It is like choosing between a Honda or Toyota, compared with a Jaguar. The Jaguar looks cool, has an aura of class; the Honda and Toyota provide reliable, comfortable transportation.
"Dim wits" are harsh words
I love the classic lines of yesterdays sailboats. But I have to agree it's a lot of work. On todays euro-look sailboats they stand out well without the use of wood. For the weekender and casual cruiser no teak is good teak. As far as the liveaboard types... You need to have something to do on the calm days in anchored in the islands. Might as well oil the teak and polish the stainless.
I love the classic lines of yesterdays sailboats. But I have to agree it's a lot of work. On todays euro-look sailboats they stand out well without the use of wood. For the weekender and casual cruiser no teak is good teak. As far as the liveaboard types... You need to have something to do on the calm days in anchored in the islands. Might as well oil the teak and polish the stainless.
will refinish once!
Recently salvaged a 1981 25' Mac with neglected teak that looked like swiss cheese. Plan to quickly replace or refinish what I can only to prevent embarrasment. Bright work is for "Square Riggers" from a 'Patrick O'brian' novel.
Recently salvaged a 1981 25' Mac with neglected teak that looked like swiss cheese. Plan to quickly replace or refinish what I can only to prevent embarrasment. Bright work is for "Square Riggers" from a 'Patrick O'brian' novel.
Well-kept teak or mahogany is a thing of beauty.
Here in Upstate New York, it's pretty easy to maintain exterior teak since we only have sun 6 months a year. Methinks many people don't know how to properly maintain their brightwork and therefore let it go. Admittedly, getting it to the point where one or two coats of varnish each year is all it takes, is work. However, the rewards of glistening, golden teak are worth the extra effort IMO.
Here in Upstate New York, it's pretty easy to maintain exterior teak since we only have sun 6 months a year.
Methinks many people don't know how to properly maintain their brightwork and therefore let it go. Admittedly, getting it to the point where one or two coats of varnish each year is all it takes, is work. However, the rewards of glistening, golden teak are worth the extra effort IMO.Some teak is a nice thing
I think boats without any teak look cheap and plastic-like. A little bit of teak adds a nice look and is not that hard to maintain.
I think boats without any teak look cheap and plastic-like. A little bit of teak adds a nice look and is not that hard to maintain.
Is bright work for dim wits
I have a minimal amount of teak on my '93-36' and I think it adds a sense of tradition. After the season I remove what I can and work on it over the winter. The rest is covered which minimizes the ultra-violet effects during the winter and with just a light sanding and a couple coats of varnish...lots like new.
I have a minimal amount of teak on my '93-36' and I think it adds a sense of tradition. After the season I remove what I can and work on it over the winter. The rest is covered which minimizes the ultra-violet effects during the winter and with just a light sanding and a couple coats of varnish...lots like new.
Tells Me Alot Bout The Owner
How an owner deals with his brightwork tells me pretty much what I want to know about how he in general maintains his boat......
How an owner deals with his brightwork tells me pretty much what I want to know about how he in general maintains his boat......
Some Teak is nice
I have to admit that I dread the cleaning and conditioning of Teak. However, no teak or wood on deck would be very stark feeling for me. Once I hunker down and accept the fact that I have to tackle the towrails and eyebrows etc. it goes quickly. I also get a feeling of satisfaction when the wood is looking rich and gives the boat a touch of tradition. My boat was built in the 80's so it really doesnt have a whole lot of teak, but enough to give it a feel of more than just technology. I really don't care that much about wood on deck either way, but below deck is another story. I want to see a lot of wood below deck and If it isn't there it just isn't a place I want to spend my summer. I love to sail, but I also like to have a warm and cozy feeling in the cabin. A lamp casting a glare off of plastic doesn't quite feel the same as a lamp casting a glow on teak or mahogany. For me the "sailing life" consists of more than just racing around a buoy. It involves a lot of tradition, adventure, and mystique, and a rich- grained, well-oiled piece of teak seems to kind of symbolize those things.
I have to admit that I dread the cleaning and conditioning of Teak. However, no teak or wood on deck would be very stark feeling for me. Once I hunker down and accept the fact that I have to tackle the towrails and eyebrows etc. it goes quickly. I also get a feeling of satisfaction when the wood is looking rich and gives the boat a touch of tradition. My boat was built in the 80's so it really doesnt have a whole lot of teak, but enough to give it a feel of more than just technology. I really don't care that much about wood on deck either way, but below deck is another story. I want to see a lot of wood below deck and If it isn't there it just isn't a place I want to spend my summer. I love to sail, but I also like to have a warm and cozy feeling in the cabin. A lamp casting a glare off of plastic doesn't quite feel the same as a lamp casting a glow on teak or mahogany. For me the "sailing life" consists of more than just racing around a buoy. It involves a lot of tradition, adventure, and mystique, and a rich- grained, well-oiled piece of teak seems to kind of symbolize those things.
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