NuTeak Observations after a Season of Use

[tdappleman]

Great writeup! I agree - red wine should be banned on boats! The admiral can drink it if it is just us since she does really well - but if she has friends on the boat then it is no red!

 

[Gofirstclass]

Thanks for the info on gluing the border strip to the panels. Is this something that could be done as a DIY project, or would it be better left to the pro's?

BTW, red wine is just about the ONLY thing that is banned from our boat.

(Well, that and bikini tops!!)

 

[Jackie J V]

As I mentioned in my post, this is not something that I'd tackle on my own. I have rebuilt houses from the inside out, have tackled construction, plumbing, electrical and various types of flooring (tiles, hardwood, laminates, carpet). This is something you could make a serious mess of if you're not careful.

Paul

 

[CKL]

Has anyone used Nuteak as an interior surface?

I have just received samples of the Teak, Mahogany, American Cherry & Holly and am quoted $10.45 per sf plus a cost for adhesive. Plus, of course, the cost of installation.

http://www.nuteak.com/Frames_Pages/NuTeakInterior.htm

I am considering using it in the galley and heads and would appreciate pro/con comments form those who have used it in this manner. Thanks.

 

[wetpaint]

Jackie.......Thats because your boat is more important than your house!!!!

 

[Jackie J V]

:smt043

I think you probably nailed it Wetpaint!

Paul

 

[Jackie J V]

I thought I'd add this one too. Provides a decent snapshot of the nature of the material laid out on the swimplatform.

You get a good idea about the flexibility of the material.

Paul

 

[hack4alivin]

I thought I'd add this one too. Provides a decent snapshot of the nature of the material laid out on the swimplatform.

You get a good idea about the flexibility of the material.

Paul

Did you take the swim platform off just for the Nu-Teak addition or did you have other modifications going on as well? They did mine on the boat and she was still in the water. One other thing about the Nu-Teak is it is not as slippery on the deck as the fiberglass, even when wet you get good traction. The bad apart about that is I am going to miss all the fun of dipping Sandy out of the drink!

 

[Jackie J V]

Hi Bill,
This work was done in early March of last year. They were concerned that it was too cool in the storage shed (7C) for the materials to bend properly and the glue to set, so they took off the swimplatform and brought it into the workshop. Taking off the swimplatform is a relatively easy exercise on my boat as it is simply bolted to the forks of the hydraulic lift.

I agree with your comments on the grip too. There was never a point were I felt I was slipping on the material last year. That grippiness (new word freshly made-up :smt001) when wet is helpful on my boat as sometimes I lower the platform into the water a foot or two and folks hang out on the partially submerged platform.

Now before I get a lecture - partially submerging a swimplatform for such use is highly discouraged in the owners manual as severe damage could occur if wake and waves cause undue stress on the platform. However, I only do this if we're tucked away in a sheltered anchorage where we don't get this movement. Plus, you tell these guys they're not allowed... I dare ya....

(pic before NuTeak)


Paul

 

[hack4alivin]

Hi Bill,
This work was done in early March of last year. They were concerned that it was too cool in the storage shed (7C) for the materials to bend properly and the glue to set, so they took off the swimplatform and brought it into the workshop. Taking off the swimplatform is a relatively easy exercise on my boat as it is simply bolted to the forks of the hydraulic lift.

I agree with your comments on the grip too. There was never a point were I felt I was slipping on the material last year. That grippiness (new word freshly made-up :smt001) when wet is helpful on my boat as sometimes I lower the platform into the water a foot or two and folks hang out on the partially submerged platform.

Now before I get a lecture - partially submerging a swimplatform for such use is highly discouraged in the owners manual as severe damage could occur if wake and waves cause undue stress on the platform. However, I only do this if we're tucked away in a sheltered anchorage where we don't get this movement. Plus, you tell these guys they're not allowed... I dare ya....

(pic before NuTeak)


Paul

On no, I know better than to argue with such a crew. In fact I am sure that holds true for any man!

 

[Jack F]

Wow Paul, that looks great.

 

[Greg]

Wow Paul, that looks great.

That does look great, The NuTeak looks pretty good too...

:grin:

 

[Searaybio270]

Paul,
Thanks for all the info. I am headed to Florida in Feb to visit and learn how to install the Flexiteak. I was supposed to go in Jan were it not for my brother's heart attack and me spending time in NY with him and his family. Anyway, it is interesting with all the research I have done on both companies and came up with some but not all of the findings that you did. Hearing it from you, Bill and GFC has supported my idea of learning the process and that there is very little difference between the two companies.
I do know that NuTeak is glued and Flexiteak is welded. What I don't know, so please chime in if you do, what the heck welded means.
Outside of that they are basically the same product. Manufactured at the same plant and sold to two these two companies. Actually there are three companies. The other is in Australia or New Zealand. I know this b/c I have been in contact with all three.
So thanks again and I'll keep you posted and please chime in with any info, thoughts, comments etc.
One more note - I have seen Bill's boat the swim platform and the boat are beautiful.
Joe

 

[Jackie J V]

Good luck with the Flexiteek installation Joe. I'm sure what you'll learn will be useful to folks here too. I think the welding process is a heat sealing process versus the installers use of glue, although I understand that some of the NuTeak installers are using welding now too.

Paul

 

[bsproul]

CKL asked about interior installation and I am in the middle of one now so can show you some pictures of the work but can not comment yet on how it will do while in use. It has made a tremendous difference in the look of the salon and I like it that they offer the plain teak for a nice look on the sides.

 

[jezzb]

How do you creat the round areas (round the holes)? I am in the process of buying this material to install iton my boat. I am looking at Dek-king from www.teakforboats.com. Looks very similar to Nuteak. The profiles are joined with a cold wel adhesive.

You job looks really good. Well done - I am impressed.

Jezz

I thought I'd add this one too. Provides a decent snapshot of the nature of the material laid out on the swimplatform.

You get a good idea about the flexibility of the material.

Paul

 

[Jackie J V]

Hi Jezz,
Unfortunately, I don't have a complete answer for you. Someone installed the materials for me. I know that they had larger strips of the materials that didn't have the "caulk" lines. They would have fashioned the customizations from that.

Good luck with your install!

Paul

 

[searay40dad]

Excellent post Paul...looks fantastic (Bill too!)!! I've been a little apprehensive about all the simulated teak products but feel more at ease now. Been wanting to do something to our cockpit floor but was afraid of the heat and durability. Sounds like it's manageable. Think i'll give it a closer look now. Thanks again...and great work!

Gotta love those lifts...whatever it takes to keep the girls happy!

 

[CKL]

CKL asked about interior installation and I am in the middle of one now so can show you some pictures of the work but can not comment yet on how it will do while in use. It has made a tremendous difference in the look of the salon and I like it that they offer the plain teak for a nice look on the sides.

Very nice!!

It looks like you applied both a a stain and varnish. What did you use?

 

[Phlorida]

I've been planning a swim platform project and entertaining some form of faux teak so I've been following this thread.

I took a Caribbean cruise last week on a ship that used real teak on all of the stairs and faux teak on the decks. The temperature was in the mid to high 70's for daylight hours. The faux teak was so hot for the bulk of the day that it could not be walked on without shoes for even a few feet. Several people on this forum had indicated that the teak alternatives were hot but I hadn't anticipated that kind of temperature. My feet are not heat sensitive as I live and boat in Florida in bare feet.

I realize that this thread was expressly about the NuTeak product and this product on this cruise ship is unlikely to be NuTeak but I had to share my observation. I'm not sure that I am considering this approach anymore.