Polyurethane or teak oil finish?

Jan 22, 2008
339
Hunter 34 Herrington South, MD
I'm about to replace the sole of my H34 with a new teak and holly sole. As a roughly 1984 Hunter, all the teak was finished with a teak oil. At this point, I was wondering if I should clean up everything and coat all the teak with a satin polyurethane. Is it possible? Is it too slippery? Is it a waste of time?
 
Jul 7, 2004
8,496
Hunter 30T Cheney, KS
Ours was finished with a poly. It's durable. Never had trouble with slipping but our sailing it pretty tame. In the slip - no problem (slipping).
 

Rick D

.
Jun 14, 2008
7,187
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
I'm about to replace the sole of my H34 with a new teak and holly sole. As a roughly 1984 Hunter, all the teak was finished with a teak oil. At this point, I was wondering if I should clean up everything and coat all the teak with a satin polyurethane. Is it possible? Is it too slippery? Is it a waste of time?
That's what I used for 15 years (before I put in a vinyl teak/holly). I never found it to be slippery. I used a semi-gloss, but that's no different.
 
Jan 24, 2017
671
Hunter 34 Toms River Nj
Mike,
Don't use teak oil on the floor, It will not last and will get dirty fast. The grain of the wood will collect and attract all kinds of fine dirt and will become stained forever. Teak oil will be extremely slick when it gets wet.

Some people have used west systems on the floor, it's extremely hard and durable stuff. I wouldn't used polyurethane because it may be prone to water stains.
Most people that I know have used a good quality marine grade varnish. That is what I have used based on the recommendation of my fellow boaters. Easy to refinish and last a long time. I have look at the floors of the people that recommended it to me and they look great. Some are still original going on over 15 plus years.

For the rest of the cabinet I suggest decks olje teak oil. Last a long time, approximately five years. It's available in gloss or matte Finnish. It just wipes on, very little smell, and does not yellow like most oils do.
 
Jun 4, 2004
1,087
Mainship Piliot 34 Punta Gorda
Yes, polyurethane. I refinished my current and last boat with it. I prefer a more gloss finish. Use at least 5 coats.
 
Mar 3, 2003
710
Hunter 356 Grand Rivers
My 2003 Hunter 356 has what looks like polyurethane and has held up exceptionally well. Going in season 17 and 1144 days on board. Check with Hunter anspd see what they used for the early 356 and yiu’ll Have a good result. No slipping typically, but if you have wet bare feet, you’ll potentially slip. Get you a throw carpet and put at the bottom of the companionway.
 
Dec 28, 2015
1,911
Laser, Hunter H30 Cherubini Tacoma
Boiled Linseed Oil cut with mineral spirits 50% will give you the good results and is cheap.