WOODEN COCKPIT GRATE

[MikeMarley]

I want to build a cockpit grate for my catalina 22. The cockpit sole has a few minor cracks and it feels a little soft in some areas. I want to build a grate to keep our feel dry, to help water drain and to distribute the weight of people walking on the older, soft in areas cockpit sole. Plus, I like the classic look of a wooden cockpit grate. Teak is very expensive, and I am considering other WOOD options. Can anyone recomend a good wood aside from Teak that would be strong and durable.I was thinking about using Red Oak slats (1 inch thick x 2 inch wide). I figure that red oak is used for hardwood flooring all the time, so it would be a good choice, but I am open for suggestions.Also, I read an article on building a grate in Good Old Boat magazine, and they recomend a wood called Iroko. The nickname for this wood is Poor Man's teak and they say its a good choice. Does anyone know where I can get this type of wood? I can't seem to find it....Thanks for your help....

 

[Debra B]

fix the cracks and repair the soft spots

see "This Old Boat" for a good description of how to do this, but basically drill out the soft sections with a hole saw - do NOT go all the way through. Remove as much of the decayed wood as you can and then fill the voids with epoxy or epoxy/and some type of filler.You can replace the circle of gelcoat from the hole saw, patch the rest and paint. Don't let this go, it will only get worse. Once that is taken care of, you can look at the wood grate option.

 

[Jim Facteau]

Teak Grage Material

I bought my teak grate material from Teakflex in CT. Saved over 65% from Wesy and Boat US prices! They are on the web at Teakflex.com Very nice people!