The Care and Feeding of Teak

[Yachts66]

Always remember the Gods frown on those who paint their teak!

Now you know!  

Regards,

TJ

[SV THIRD DAY]

Ok...so now that the word is out (Thanks TJ   ) I have been considering priming and painting my teak toe rail....and it still stands as what I view as my best option.  The primer can is sitting here next to me right now calling my name!  For the color we are thinking either "Sundown Buff 4237" of "Bristol Beige 4207".  Sundown is in the lead because we are going to use Beige nonskid and think that could be too much beige (these are all the Interlux brands).

So why would an otherwise seeming religious man commit such an abomination?  The main reason is the sad and pitiful condition of the teak toe rail and the other is ok, I'll admit it, I want to go Cruising for 5 yrs, not varnish around the world!  But seriously, after sanding down to anything that even looks like nice wood, in many spots I will only have the thickness of a quarter of teak LEFT!  So a teak bung is a no-go and we have tried several types and methods of filler and they all look like crap!  There are about 8-10 screw holes per foot of toe rail, so if it doesn't blend in, it will look like shit after we re-varnish!  This had lead me to the idea of sand/fill/primer/paint/forget!

Hey...I'm open to ideas and in reality the teak toe rail should just be replaced...but hey..I've already blown far too much $ already and don't want to add $3500 for a new teak toe rail....am I still that bad?

[Yachts66]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but the fact is a REAL Person sailor would have great pride in his ride and wouldn't mind at all adding a new beautiful teak rail.   :oops:

Regards,

TJ

[SV THIRD DAY]

So...then I rip it off and replace it with Trex?  If I go through all the work/$ of ripping it off...I might as well replace it with an aluminum rail...with lots of great attachment points...at least I think...what does that stuff cost?

[Yachts66]

Have you looked into some of the synthetic teaks?  They are much less costly and look pretty good as well as not needing the beautiful varnish you seem to abhor!

I never found varnishing my bright work to be problematic.  When I lived aboard there was always time for small projects and I took great satisfaction in making the wood and boat look it's best....but that was me and I was young and foolish in those days.

Regards,

TJ

[kevin barber]

Check out the detailed photos of Drew and Hailey's 365 on lostonpurpose.net.  They totally removed all traces of teak on their topsides.  Removed the caprail teak, filled the holes, and used interlux perfection two-part poly paint.  Very nice and maintenance free.

[SV THIRD DAY]

And some of you out there...say a painted toe rail is ugly?  This isn't THIRD DAY's toe rail...but that of S/V Sereia....makes you think doesn't it!

[Yachts66]

:cry: