As a 25 ' Oday owner I realized the need to replace some if not all of the teak on the boat. the grab bars, tracks for the sliding hatch cover, companion way covers, and plates to hold the covers, even the cleat mounts were in bad shape. I looked around, teak was out of the question for a variety of reasons. I decided to use high density poly ethylene or HDPE. it works wonderful. HDPE is extremely hard and resilient. You need hi-tech precision fabrication equipment to lathe-cut the parts. There are not many fabricators out there who have the skills and knowledge relating to marine HDPE application .Paul Hoffman of Brighterworks (Paul Hoffmann <brighterworks@gmail.com>) is able to fabricate the difficult parts in a variety of colors including a color similar to TEAK. |HDPE comes in various thicknesses form 1/4 to 1". Some vendors only carry white. Contact Paul for the best prices. I have photos to show you of the parts I replaced. I am especially pleased with the companion way covers and the grab bars.
Teak Substitute = "HDPE"
- Thread starter markp
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HDPE
I have worked with extruded hdpe for years. for a marine application it is perfect and will last for ever. Because HDPE melts at arounf 400F I would be curious as to how this guy works with it without it distorting.
Bill
Bill
HDPE
On the pieces used to replace the rails for sliding the hatch, it may require as many as six passes with a router to duplicate the original curves and grooves but even at that it did not take long.
The stuff is cheap and easy to work. Even if it does not last as long as teak, you can replace it several times for the cost involved. And then it does not have to be sanded and painted. Just hose it off. Spend the rest of the time sailing...
Locally in the south east, measured to cut pieces are available from:
http://www.dixierubber.com/
Ed K
26
If you check the archives of this site you will find others have also used HDPE. It does not take "hi-tech precision fabrication equipment to lathe-cut the parts." HDPE works like wood. Band saw, table saw, jig saw and router work it fine.
On the pieces used to replace the rails for sliding the hatch, it may require as many as six passes with a router to duplicate the original curves and grooves but even at that it did not take long.
The stuff is cheap and easy to work. Even if it does not last as long as teak, you can replace it several times for the cost involved. And then it does not have to be sanded and painted. Just hose it off. Spend the rest of the time sailing...
Locally in the south east, measured to cut pieces are available from:
http://www.dixierubber.com/
Ed K
26
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