Teak deck: how cleaning prolongs the life of the wood & how to choose a ship carpenter
Did you know that a teak deck should last at least 20 years? But due to unscrupulous courtship, the board becomes unusable after 5 years. At Bimbarent we help yachtsmen not only make money on rent out, but also tell them how to take care of their boats. The article was prepared by an experienced ship carpenter with 20 years of experience. We’ll tell you how to care for your teak flooring and save money on repairs.
How to wash the deck?
Weekly washing prolongs the life of your teakwood. If the wood is not washed, the dirt eats into the wood and this contributes to the abrasion of the boards (more on that later).
Floor should be washed with a sponge or soft brush. No aggressive detergents. If this option does not give the desired result, then try washing the wood with a solution of oxalic acid. Take gloves, a mask, – after applying the solution, rinse everything thoroughly with plenty of running water. Acid is dangerous not to the boat, but to your skin.
Can teak karcher be washed? You can water without strong pressure. A powerful jet of water knocks out the villi in the surface and leads to the destruction of the deck. In addition, Karcher knocks out layers of sealant from the seams that need to be urgently reanimated. With a high-pressure jet, you can knock dirt off the hull of the boat, from the awning or outdoor sofas.
Let’s get back to our dirt & dust. If the deck is not washed, the dirt gets into the grooves, furrows. The first thing that comes to mind is to take a harder brush. You rub more vigorously, the board becomes rough and then you are advised to sand it. Ukrainian masters are happy to take on this work, as the result is immediately visible. Sanding after sanding, – the wood gets thinner. In five years in some places there will be no teak left at all.
When sanding the boards does not solve the situation, the craftsmen offer to replace the teakwood. After all, it is their bread. But the price per cubic meter of teak will make your eyes bleed. Just google the prices. In addition, rebuilding the floor is also a very lengthy process. At this time, the boat is not available for boat trips. For example, it will take six to eight weeks to re-deck a 9-meter yacht, and more than 3 months for a 15-meter yacht.

There is another tip on how to extend the life of your floor – sew a winter cover for the yacht. Ultraviolet is a terrible force. All: gelcoat, fittings and portholes will last much longer if they are shaded from the sun.
Leaving the floor without basic maintenance (washing) is an irresponsible waste of your money in the future.
How to choose a ship carpenter?
A special tool for working with teakwood can only be afforded by specializing crews. It is very expensive tools. In Ukraine, ship’s carpenter usually use “cheap chinese machines”, but the cost of services – 40$ per square meter.
How to choose a master? Come see his work live. See how he restores the seams with sealant, whether all the stripes are even, smooth and beautiful (like from the factory). See how the master fixed the swollen boards that had fallen into disrepair. Be sure to walk around the floor on a hot day barefoot. Oiled teak should not be exposed to the sun. If it burns the foot, then the tick is not breathing, – is clogged.
P.S. Did you know that the fresher the year the boat was built, the thinner the teak-plank? The depth of the cork, which closes the stud and is attached to the deck bar, has become 3 mm – it affects the durability of the wood.