The teak deck is one of the timeless symbols of elegance in sailboats. However, teak requires careful maintenance. Those who have a boat with this type of deck know that one of the main problems concerns the wear and tear of the black rubberizing.
HOW TEAK IS LAID
The teak planks are attached to the fiberglass decks with an adhesive. Each slat is laterally interlocked at half its depth, and the resulting gap is filled with flexible polyurethane rubber. It often happens that the rubber loses adhesion in the gutters, causing water to seep into the edges of the slats. When this happens, this must be removed and replaced to prevent moisture from seeping underneath. The goal is to remove the gum the wood in place, as shown in the sequence to the side.
THE GUMMING OF THE TEAK
HOW TO CLEAN IT?
Teak decks should be cleaned with a soft brush or metal kitchen straws by rubbing perpendicular to the grain. They should also be bathed regularly with seawater to prevent them from drying out (side photo).
These tips are taken from the book “The Boat Repair Bible” published by Nutrimenti (pp. 308, €24.65): a practical handbook designed for all DIY enthusiasts. You can purchase it HERE
