Teak: A Little Effort Goes a Long Way
Probably nothing can make or break the appearance of a fiberglass boat more quickly than the appearance of the exterior teak trim. Contrary to popular belief, teak is not a maintenance-free wood that can be safely ignored and neglected for years at a time. Though teak may not rot, it can check, warp, and look depressingly drab if not properly cared for.
For best results, you should never let your teak trim get to the point that drastic measures are called for. Once you get it back to “like new” condition, you should be prepared to put in the time and effort required to keep it in that condition.
To look its best, exterior teak needs frequent attention. With a boat used in salt water, frequent washdowns with fresh water will prolong the life of the dressing, but scrubbings with salt water and a brush will reduce it.
Horizontal surfaces, such as hatch covers, will require more frequent coats of sealer than vertical surfaces, such as companionway dropboards. High traffic areas like a teak cockpit sole will require the most attention of all, but are the easiest to scrub and retreat, since sanding is not usually desirable.
If all this sounds like a lot of work, that’s because it is. That explains why the exterior teak on so many boats looks so grubby.
It is still, however, less work than maintaining a varnished exterior teak surface – a lot less. If you really think you want varnished teak, try maintaining a clean oiled surface for a season first.
Few things look better on a boat, particularly a white on white fiberglass boat, than well-maintained exterior teak trim. An owner who neglects exterior wood is likely to be the same owner who rarely changes the oil in the engine, and who rarely bothers to put on the sail covers after a day’s sail when he expects he’s going sailing again tomorrow.
Owning a boat isn’t all play. A boat is a major investment, and like most investments, the more attention you pay to it, the more it will return. The time you put into maintaining your exterior teak is well invested. The return is not only pride of ownership, but dollars in your pocket when the time comes to sell the boat.
For more tips on how to properly maintain your boat’s exterior teak appearance and quick and easy answers to routine boat maintenance problems, purchase Boat Maintenance: The Essential Guide to Cleaning, Painting, and Cosmetics today!
