Real Teak versus Synthetic Teak?

JamesT

JamesT

Active Member
Oct 7, 2013
250
Somers Point, NJ
Boat Info
2011 470 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins 480s w/ Zeus PODs
I know one thing....I hate cockpit carpets and want to replace them with SOMEthing! We are considering "Plasteak" for our cockpit because we like the look of teak, but don't want the maintenance issues. Only thing holding me back is the decision is permanent and wish to make the right decision. Is synthetic teak like wearing a fake Rolex? When I go to sell this vessel some day, I'm afraid the synthetic may turn off some discriminating buyers. Is there an unwritten rule somewhere that all 40+ size boats must have real teak, otherwise leave the floors bare with carpets? Thoughts?
 
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I was contemplating the synthetic teak so I could clean it easily and wash out my dogs hair easier (she sheds like crazy) but had the same concerns as you. The material getting too hot was also a concern. This weekend my son (4 y/o) was on a dock mates boat and he said the real teak was too hot for him. Figured if he couldn't handle real teak then synthetic would be too much for him and his little sisters feet.
 
Jon, thanks for the response. Was the Nuteak hot inside the cockpit or just on the swim platform? Did you have the darker color? I appreciate your "not like fake Rolex" comment and think that concern is now put to bed for me...
 
k-nutz said:
I was contemplating the synthetic teak so I could clean it easily and wash out my dogs hair easier (she sheds like crazy) but had the same concerns as you. The material getting too hot was also a concern. This weekend my son (4 y/o) was on a dock mates boat and he said the real teak was too hot for him. Figured if he couldn't handle real teak then synthetic would be too much for him and his little sisters feet.
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Mike, I have a choc lab that sheds like crazy and the hair thing is a motivator for me as well. I like the idea of not having to worry about carpets in rain either, and the simplicity of hosing down my cockpit floor to rid the dog hair. I think the heat thing is something I could live with, in order to rid myself of the hassles of carpet...
 
Very interested in this thread. Have followed a lot of postings that have done the installation.

Currently looking at boats, not wild about the maintenance or appearance of real teak after a year or two. Have seen some real teak that is not that great.

I love the look of both, but wondering - which is the right direction: Nothing, real teak, or faux teak?
 
JamesT said:
Jon, thanks for the response. Was the Nuteak hot inside the cockpit or just on the swim platform? Did you have the darker color? I appreciate your "not like fake Rolex" comment and think that concern is now put to bed for me...
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The Nuteak will get hot in direct sunlight. The carpet I have is synthetic and gets hot too but feels much better on your feet.
With regards to dog hair yes you can hose the cockpit down with Nuteak but the hair has to go somewhere, why not just vacuum it up?
 
Guys I had Pasdeck installed 3 years ago . I love it . YEs it gets hot . We throw down a small runner at the cockpit door . its a non issue . No more carpet, no more problems when it rains ... Just a fast hose down and all the dog hair / crumbs from the kids are gone . Scratches have not been an issue . No discoloration . Real teak is way too much maintenance. I did not install it on the swim platform . Way to much abrasion from lines , dingy and everything else. U cant go wrong with this stuff but do ur home work. FLEXTEAK that is very popular doesn't appear to hold up well and I hear a lot complaints on the dock about discoloration.

Rob
 
I have SeaDek on my swim platform and will have it in the cockpit next year. Would have had it this year but the engine that was rebuilt two years ago needed a total rebuild this year. So no SeaDek. I will say my SeaDek looks great, cleans up very easily, not slippery and mine doesn't get that hot.
www.seadek.com

Just some more info for your use.
 
We have had PlasDECK now for nearly three years and love it. We chose it because of how it's welded together it's hot welded unlike some others. All our cockpit is done and swim platform (pics on here in another thread). We too just throw an old towel down on the swim platform if in bare feet. Our cabin is all real teak and when we bought the boat it looked a real mess, it was never taken care of. Only ONE coat of teak oil and it looked like new. I oil it about once a year now and apart from sweeping up dog hair and few crumbs it does not take any other looking after. Check out: www.ttcustommarine.com and if you have any ??? call and ask for Travis the owner who's really helpful. Good luck.
 
Thanks all. Plasdeck is the stuff I'm looking at and have already been in contact with Travis at TT Custom Marine. I have not seen NuTeak in person and maybe I should. Can anyone comment on the look of Plasdeck versus NuTeak. I'm sure both are hot in sun, but which one looks better in your opinion?

Jon, I vacuum non stop but those dog hairs stick to my carpet like Velcro. It's not only that, but cleaning spills, smears, my blood dripping from working my fingers to the bone :)
 
James,
I will be in your neck of the woods this weekend, we are taking the boat to Wildwood on Thursday-Monday. If you have any interest in the Synthetic carpet I will be at Schooners Island to see it in person.
 
JamesT said:
Thanks all. Plasdeck is the stuff I'm looking at and have already been in contact with Travis at TT Custom Marine. I have not seen NuTeak in person and maybe I should. Can anyone comment on the look of Plasdeck versus NuTeak. I'm sure both are hot in sun, but which one looks better in your opinion?

Jon, I vacuum non stop but those dog hairs stick to my carpet like Velcro. It's not only that, but cleaning spills, smears, my blood dripping from working my fingers to the bone :)
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Plasdeck makes Coolteak, you may want to look into that as it is a bit cooler.
 
A friend just added CoolTeak to his boat. Looks great but here in Texas it still gets HOT. The kids splash water on it before climbing on the swim platform. All things said ...if they would install it for free on my boat, I'd definitely have it! Big difference comparing it to the other brands as far as adsorbing heat. It's MUCH cooler by comparison.
 
CAMELLA said:
James,
I will be in your neck of the woods this weekend, we are taking the boat to Wildwood on Thursday-Monday. If you have any interest in the Synthetic carpet I will be at Schooners Island to see it in person.
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Ha! Very funny. I said to my wife last weekend we should go to Schooner Island this weekend, for a change of scenery. Maybe we'll run up there on Saturday. Have you ever been there before? We've been by it a hundred times, but never stayed the night there. Looks like a great marina with a nice pool and facilities, and in walking distance to some really good food and entertainment. Not sure if we'll make it there, but we'll see.
 
We go every year, the marina is great and like you said walking distance to the boardwalk. My two kids really enjoy Wildwood.
 
I recently installed SeaDek in my cockpit and on my swim platform. I can't answer whether it helps or hurts resale but I can say it's complimented everywhere I go. I can also so it's FAR FAR cooler to walk on than the Plasteak decking we had on our BVI boat. It gets warm but not hot. I don't have to throw carpet runners down to walk on it and I boat in a area with 100+ degree days as the norm. It's also exceptionally comfortable underfoot and has excellent non-slip qualities.

As far as the Snap in Carpet product that Camella has, I initially ordered and installed their Weave #3 and to be honest hated it. Now, it could have been a bad lot but it looked exceptionally plasticy, like vinyl flooring. The shipped product did not have same texture or finish that the sample had. The company was exceptional to deal with and allowed me to return it for a reasonable restocking fee. I'd use them again in a second. I only post my experience here so that you can make an informed decision. My advise would be to go look at Camella's boat before making a decision to purchase it off of a 2" x 2" sample as I did.



SeaRay420SeaDek-1-small.jpg
 
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What do you think the most common color combinations are? Teak and Holly or Holly and Teak. Copb8tx, I am also looking at Seadek. What color combo is yours? I like it!
 
I have talked to a Plasdeck dealer, he said the CoolTeak is made out of the same material as the other synthetic teak that Plasdeck carries, only difference is that it is lighter in color. We just finished up making a template for our cockpit and stairs, and will be sending it off to Plasdeck within a few days. We have had carpet, which has shrunk, torn, trapped sand, and mildewed over the past few years. The synthetic teak is less maintenance, can wash it just like you do the rest of your boat. When it gets hot, spray water on it. It is not cheap, but it does look good and less maintenance. Also, I went on a boat that had the azure (glow in the dark), now it was early morning so did not get the chance to see it at night, nor what the synthetic teak hot yet, but it was wet, and I was surprised at the amount of grip it had when wet.
Hope this helps, will post pictures once we start installing the cool teak.

MarkCrusei said:
A friend just added CoolTeak to his boat. Looks great but here in Texas it still gets HOT. The kids splash water on it before climbing on the swim platform. All things said ...if they would install it for free on my boat, I'd definitely have it! Big difference comparing it to the other brands as far as adsorbing heat. It's MUCH cooler by comparison.
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