The new Hunters at the Annapolis show all had synthetic teak on the cockpit seats. It looks, an 80% match to the real thing. Are there any other companies that make fake wood for boats? I hate to sand and varnish...
- Status
PlasTEAK makes synthetic teak, Phil...
They make a vinyl sheeting for cabin soles which is imprinted with a teak & holly look alike. Can be installed just like vinyl flooring in your home (if you had flooring installed in the '50's <g>!). They also make tongue and groove "teak" sections for decking. Also "standard" grab rail configurations and can make custom designs. I'm about 90% leaning towards installing their flooring on my sole.
They make a vinyl sheeting for cabin soles which is imprinted with a teak & holly look alike. Can be installed just like vinyl flooring in your home (if you had flooring installed in the '50's <g>!). They also make tongue and groove "teak" sections for decking. Also "standard" grab rail configurations and can make custom designs. I'm about 90% leaning towards installing their flooring on my sole.
Others too...
Hi Phil, There are other companies that make synthetic lumber too if you're interested in making things yourself. The two that I know of are Trex and Timbertech. They're available at your local lumber store, or they can order it for you. They're both used in decking applications, so they're made to be outdoors and maintenance-free. I prefer the Timbertech stuff. It's a little stiffer, and the color is closer to teak. I know there are those who prefer natural wood, but I'm with you in the "low-or-no maintenance" train of thought. There's plenty of other things that fall apart to keep me busy.
Hi Phil, There are other companies that make synthetic lumber too if you're interested in making things yourself. The two that I know of are Trex and Timbertech. They're available at your local lumber store, or they can order it for you. They're both used in decking applications, so they're made to be outdoors and maintenance-free. I prefer the Timbertech stuff. It's a little stiffer, and the color is closer to teak. I know there are those who prefer natural wood, but I'm with you in the "low-or-no maintenance" train of thought. There's plenty of other things that fall apart to keep me busy.
Support
If you use synthetic lumber for flooring, make sure that you have sufficient support beneath the floor. Synthetic lumber has no structural strength. In my boat, the span between supports are not sufficient for Trex or any of its cousins. Supports 16" on center is required. Jim
If you use synthetic lumber for flooring, make sure that you have sufficient support beneath the floor. Synthetic lumber has no structural strength. In my boat, the span between supports are not sufficient for Trex or any of its cousins. Supports 16" on center is required. Jim
Use the marine versions
I've read the specs for timbertech--One of its components is "wood flour", i.e., sawdust, which makes it suspect for our application because we don't know a. how long the manufacturer intended it to be in a state of constant immersion, and b. how it will react to salt water. It's best to use products made for the marine industry, such as Flexiteek, Marinedek, and Tek Dek. Flexiteek and Tek Dek are plastics which were developed for commercial boat builders in Europe needing a long-lasting non-skid surface on passenger-carrying boats that also looked like planking. Marinedek is used in a similar way but is made of cork composite (doesn't look as bad as that sounds). I've ordered some Flexiteek for my deck repairs because their sellers put the piece together from your dimensions rather than making you put the planks together yourself, as Tek Dek seems to do. It depends on how handy you are... There's a company out there making synthetic teak-and-holly flooring sheets and imitation teak lumber, but I couldn't find their name. If you can go without woodgrain then Star Board is always a good material for non-structural bulkheads, hatch covers, etc.
I've read the specs for timbertech--One of its components is "wood flour", i.e., sawdust, which makes it suspect for our application because we don't know a. how long the manufacturer intended it to be in a state of constant immersion, and b. how it will react to salt water. It's best to use products made for the marine industry, such as Flexiteek, Marinedek, and Tek Dek. Flexiteek and Tek Dek are plastics which were developed for commercial boat builders in Europe needing a long-lasting non-skid surface on passenger-carrying boats that also looked like planking. Marinedek is used in a similar way but is made of cork composite (doesn't look as bad as that sounds). I've ordered some Flexiteek for my deck repairs because their sellers put the piece together from your dimensions rather than making you put the planks together yourself, as Tek Dek seems to do. It depends on how handy you are... There's a company out there making synthetic teak-and-holly flooring sheets and imitation teak lumber, but I couldn't find their name. If you can go without woodgrain then Star Board is always a good material for non-structural bulkheads, hatch covers, etc.
- Status