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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

What about that teak?

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clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/17/2004 : 22:57:42

I have purchased a boat that has been sitting for at least 4 years and I am about to get to the out side teak. It came with a can of teak oil. so what do you all think oil? Varnish?

Clay

Kamalla 1980 C25 SK/TR

Edited by - on

kenobie51
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2004 : 23:41:28

Hi Clay, welcome,
You must be new to this forum, for this question is put out about every two months, with about as many different answers as there are members.
Let me try to condense it for you.
Most of us will agree, properly done varnish is a beautiful thing. If you want it AND don't mind endless maintanence, then go for it.
If you want decent looks, that lasts the longest, with the least effort, then use Cetol.
If you want to waste your time, use teak brightners and oil.
If you would rather be sailing, do nothing, let it be gray.

Just my opinion with a little humor thrown in.

Larry Knobel
C25 1657 sailing Cayuga Lake, NY

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 08:14:56

I use Cetol outside, am switching to varnish inside. I specifically advise against the varnish over epoxy method on exterior brightwork.

-- Leon Sisson

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 09:03:16

I agree with Leon about varnish over epoxy.
especially if you use an epoxy with an amine blush, like West. It will peel off.
When I buy a bigger boat I hope to get lots of teak on the inside, and none on the outside.
Can you imagine how much work it must take to maintain an Island Packet with the teak rails?

Edited by - on

nate
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 10:19:05

Frank,
I guess if you have enough money for an IP you can pay to have someone do your brightwork, but I'm with you on the idea of less exterior teak. Seems Catalina must agree since none of the newer boats have any wood outside..well maybe the hatchboards are teak. My buddy has a C310 and all he needs is a hose and a mop for exterior mantainence....just rinse off the spilled beer at the end of the weekend and you're good to go!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 10:36:15

I recommend Sikkens Cetol Marine.

It now comes in a Light Shade and a Dark Shade. Once the base coats are on and built up, an annual touch up 'rubdown' with some fresh cetol on a piece of synthetic steel wool refreshes the finish nicely.

"Catalina must agree since none of the newer boats have any wood outside"

A vessel without any wood trim... practical, but somehow... something's just missing there.

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 11:10:10

A vessel without any wood trim... practical, but somehow... something's just missing there. - Bruce

I agree with Clam ... it's just a matter of personal taste. I like the "classic" boat look ... I'm trying to sink my boat with teak, brass, and stainless steel. Yes, it's a lot of work, but it's time well spent if you like that sort of thing ... 'beats channel surfing through 100 channels of pure crap on cable TV!

BTW, I agree with what others have already said ... it's hard to beat Cetol for exterior teak if you want a nice finished look without a ton of work. Like Leon, I'm using varnish inside, except on the teak paneling ... I use Howard's Restore-a-Finish (golden oak) for that.

Welcome to the group, Clay ... and good luck with your new baby!

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 11:19:44

Just did a flagpole with West Marine's WoodPro. Claims to have many of the same qualities as Cetol...breathability, flexibility UV protection etc. Comes in satin and gloss, behaves and looks a lot like varnish. I think I'll use it on the rest of the teak.

Oscar
Catalina 42 # 76, Lady Kay
Catalina 250WB#618 Currently FOR SALE:
http:www.woodenshoemusic.com/C250WB

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 11:50:48

Unless I win the Powerball (that's devil money here in Tennessee) I probably won't ever be able to buy an Island Packet anyways, so the vast amount of teak is moot.

Yes I do like the look of varnished teak, but am really burned out on maintaining it.

Edited by - on

Dick Johnson
1st Mate

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USA
40 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 17:57:49

I've used limes, teak cleaner and oil, and sikkens. I am now letting it go natural on the outside and oiling the inside teak. Letting the teak go natural only requires an occasional washing The teak can take neglect and it looks good.

C-25 sk hull 5512

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 18:02:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dick Johnson
 I've used limes, teak cleaner and oil, and sikkens. I am now letting it go natural on the outside and oiling the inside teak. Letting the teak go natural only requires an occasional washing The teak can take neglect and it looks good.

C-25 sk hull 5512
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I am with you. When I walk around our docks I see boats with maintained teak and think, "wow I bet that looked good when they first did it!" or I see perfect teak (only 1 or 2) and think "wow do they ever sail?".

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nate
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 18:15:58

Don't get me wrong guys...I'm all about my boat looking nice. I went the Cetol route and I think my teak looks great. (if I do say so myself)! I actually removed all the exterior wood and stripped it done and sprayed the Cetol on....4 coats and man does it look great.
On the flip side...I'm not ready to own a floating varnish museum either. A little trim is good....too much robs you of sailing time.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 19:03:34

If I lived in New England, the Pacific Northwest, or the Great Lakes, or anywhere like that with a mild summer climate, I would probably go with Cetol again. But here in Sacramanto, the climate in summer is almost as hot and dry as you get in Phoenix or Las Vegas, and NO exterior wood finish stands up to 4 months of that kind of UV exposure every year. I used Cetol on my last boat, and it looked really nice the first year, but by mid-summer of the second year it was already starting to crack and peel. The PO of my new boat used teak oil or some similar product, and I am probably going to just leave the wood natural, or perhaps use a light coat of teak oil. Hard finishes of any kind, including varnish, Cetol, and Permateak (I've tried them all at one time or another), just don't last here, and when they crack and peel, it's much more work to strip and re-apply them. Old dirty teak oil is easily washed off with a powerwasher, and the next day when the wood is dry, just re-oil with a rag.

Edited by - lcharlot on 07/18/2004 19:05:15

clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 22:27:36

thank you all for the great ........yet confusing advice. I think I will sand all of the outside teak and oil it this year and just keep learning. the boat will spend most of the time in Utah so I will just see what happens.

thank you again. This forum is amazingly helpfull.

Clay C

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2004 : 23:18:37

Another vote for Cetol--easy maintenance and an appearance good enough for Island Packet and Sabre, among other manufacturers.

I will offer the assertion, supported by personal experience and some authorities I have talked to, that leaving exterior teak totally untreated leads to splitting, roughness, and eventually breaking. Sun and moisture take their toll, baking the natural oils out and exposing the relatively soft wood to mildew, freezing, and other abuses. Besides, walk through any marina and notice that the expensive boats that look great have finished brightwork. The only teak that shouldn't be finished is the deck, and teak decks require $replacement$ now and then.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 11:27:17

"I used Cetol on my last boat, and it looked really nice the first year, but by mid-summer of the second year it was already starting to crack and peel. "

Larry, I've found that that annual 'renewal' rub-down with a scrub pad dipped in Cetol is the ticket to making things last without a lot of work. It doesn't take much time to do if the base coat hasn't been damaged yet.

I guess the only cure for a hot blast-furnace summer is to have some sort of sunshades or covers rigged up.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 13:05:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 ...When I walk around our docks I see boats with maintained teak and think, "wow I bet that looked good when they first did it!" or I see perfect teak (only 1 or 2) and think "wow do they ever sail?".
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Although I'm somewhat biased, I think I have the best looking teak(Cetol) in the marina and in the three years since the initial coats were applied, I probably have a total of one hour of touch up work invested. Additionally, even though I have so called "perfect teak", my boat is without doubt the most sailed boat in the marina.

So the notions that finished teak only looks good when first done and having well maintained teak equates to never sailing your boat is pretty much a bunch of hooey!

Edited by - on

At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 21:21:43

Another vote for Cetol. Even in the Oklahoma sun, it lasts almost two years. IMHO, untreated exterior wood looks like an uncared for boat...might not be the case, but sure looks like it.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2004 : 22:10:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by At Ease
 Another vote for Cetol. Even in the Oklahoma sun, it lasts almost two years. IMHO, untreated exterior wood looks like an uncared for boat... might not be the case, but sure looks like it.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hey Don, Can I say it now?

untreated exterior wood looks like an uncared for boat... Hooey!

The list of what I have done to my boat fills pages, every time I get down to the last job, teak, I go sail instead. I wish I washed the deck more often too. I really admire those who clean their boats and keep up their bright work. Me, I am compelled to tweek systems.

Viva la difference

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 00:31:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I think I have the best looking teak(Cetol) in the marina and in the three years since the initial coats were applied, I probably have a total of one hour of touch up work invested.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Say Don,
I'm doing mine in Cetol right now. (light) and was planning to use Cetol Gloss on top.
Do you know if the same technique works for refreshing the Cetol Gloss?
Thanks

Edited by - on

LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 08:10:08

I have to add my $.02 for Cetol. I think it looks amazing! When I got our boat 3 years ago I took all the teak off, sanded it like crazy and then put on 3 coats of Cetol. Now, I just do a touch-up at the beginning of the year and then mid-way through and it still looks great. It only takes an hour or so of light sanding and reapplying and it looks like a million bucks. I'm just reapplying now and I enjoy the work, and how it looks. As smooth as a baby's bottom! I also have to add that I really, really like the look of wood on a boat and am glad mine still has some.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 09:53:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ddlyle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I think I have the best looking teak(Cetol) in the marina and in the three years since the initial coats were applied, I probably have a total of one hour of touch up work invested.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Say Don,
I'm doing mine in Cetol right now. (light) and was planning to use Cetol Gloss on top.
Do you know if the same technique works for refreshing the Cetol Gloss?
Thanks
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dave,

I don't know about the Cetol Gloss since I use the Cetol Satin finish. I find the satin finish, with its more subdued look, blends in better with the total look of my older boat.

Edited by - on

clayC
Navigator

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USA
207 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 11:51:09

Ok so now I am convinced (for now) no oil but I am going to redo my out side teak with cetol satin finish. I hope it comes with a bunch of good directions.

Clay

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2004 : 13:45:36

I tend to be pretty lazy when it comes to my teak. But, I also like the look of well finished teak. The exterior teak was beautifully varnished when I purchased my boat about 7 years ago. When I did nothing to maintain the teak, and with lots of sun and pollution around around here, the varnish started to go pretty bad in places.

It finally got so bad that about Feb. '03 I got sufficiently motivated to remove all the teak (except the top hatchboard which has the original varnish), strip and refinish it with Cetol light, topped with gloss.

Theory has it with Cetol, as I continue my lazy ways, that when the finish starts to go bad in places, I can simply touch up those areas, without having to redo the whole piece like you have to do with varnished teak. So far so good -- everything still looks good except there's one little spot where the metal lock rubs on the aft end piece on the sliding hatch, causing a small break in the finish. I've thought about touching it up, but of course, so far there has been no action in that regard.

Separately, I've seen lots of very good looking boats that appear to be very well maintained that have no finish at all on the exterior teak.

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