DECKING
save from a freshwater wash down after each voyage to sea. Yet this is the same advice given by the suppliers of traditional teak decking. Clearly synthetic decking is easier to clean since crew can use a high-pressure cleaner without damaging it. Synthetic decking seldom needs any maintenance or the application of special care products. When large areas of soiling or scratches do appear, they can be sanded down in very much the same way that real teak can.
Another major advantage synthetic
decking has over traditional teak is its repairability. When fixed deck furniture is removed or repositioned during a refit, holes in synthetic decking can be filled and sanded to make it appear as good as when it was first laid.
THE REAL DEAL Born on the Mediterranean coast in Barcelona, Deck Project is the creation of Nikita Achkasov. He heads up a team of experienced yacht carpenters who specialise in the fabrication and installation of both real and synthetic teak decks. Nikita believes that the choice of decking used on yachts depends on usage. He says, “You need to consider the practicalities. There is no sense in laying a natural teak flooring on helicopter landing pads or in the tender garage. I think synthetics are a suitable option there.”
He adds, “You need to think how the deck will be used. Real teak decks are praised for their general non-slip quality even when wet, although synthetic teak is often regarded as having even more grip and can provide a very solid footing, also when wet.” Teakdecking Systems, the Florida based company represented in Europe by the Zeta Marine Group, is an employee-owned company that has been in business for 38 years. They are pre- manufacturers of teak, composite, and alternative wood decks, which they install, refit and maintain on yachts of all sizes. Michelle Meerman the company’s Sales and Marketing Coordinator, tells us that, “Despite the company being very diverged in both teak and composite decks, all who work there still believe that teak is still the best!”
She concedes that, “While there are many possible substitutes, the firm has not found anything with the same qualities as teak but have built decks with Douglas Fir and White Pine.” She
explains, “We have experimented with other woods that have been modified to look and act like teak, such as Lignia and Accoya, but there is still much testing to be done.” She adds, “We are currently looking into teak that is grown in India, Sudan and Central America as an alternative to that grown in Myanmar.” “There is,” says Michelle, “a lot of promise for a product being produced in Thailand, where they cut and laminate FSC certified Thai teak into planks. In composites, we see the PVC and PVA as an alternative, but we still feel that the polyurethane, such as Esthec or Herculan is the best option.”
MIXING OLD AND NEW
While some companies have been busy securing legitimate supplies of sustainable teak others have been developing high tec, teak alternatives. There is also a developing trend towards using real teak in a more high tec fashion. One company at the forefront of this new technology is the EuroDesign Group, a specialist teak manufacturer for the marine industry based in Indonesia. They produce decking and other wood material for interiors and exteriors. Peter Jonsson is the Global Sales and Marketing Manager, but he is also involved in the development of the teak composite. He says our genuine teak composite is made from real recycled teak mixed with recycled plastic. This material is a real substitute that looks and feels like real teak. Much of its popularity stems from the fact that it is immune
PERMATEEK Permateek is a market leader in synthetic decking working with over 70 trusted distributors worldwide. Designed and manufactured in the UK, Permateek is highly resistant to sun, rain, salt, and seawater. Permateek’s solid PVC extrusions are non-porous and provide market-beating protection from staining, even from substances like oil and red wine. During fabrication, the planks are joined using thermal welding – rather than glue – to ensure a contiguous deck that is resilient to the knocks and spills of everyday use and will not lose its superior non-slip properties when wet. For more details Tel:+44 (0)1202 929098 or visit
www.permateek.com
ONBOARD | SUMMER 2021 | 133
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