Not Enough Wood To Float the Boat...
...but certainly enough to make her look bad when not in good shape. Maybe I should say, when not kept looking like its in good shape. I actually like the weathered silver color that teak takes on, but for some reason I've gotten into this staining and clear coating thing. My first attempts were to use a "Moorish Teak" stain with a polyurethane semi-gloss finish. Looked great for about 4 months, but the summers in Kansas are brutal, and the sun in unforgiving. Even though the clear coat was recommended as an "outdoor" product, it became chalky and flat about mid summer, and would spend the rest of the season peeling and milky looking.
This year I've switched to a red mahogany stain and "West Marine" brand of varnish. This varnish is the key to looking good all season. It was top rated by "Practical Sailor".
If it's as good as they say it is, it ought to last a couple of seasons before it starts to break down. I won't give it the chance though, I'll be slapping a couple of coats of fresh varnish each spring. All of the wood will start life with 5 coats this year. That should just about do it.
I'll group these Pic's later, but here they are for now..
Its hard to get a good pic due to the high gloss, best photographed on a cloudy day.
The teak faced plywood inset panel was replaced with 1/2" oak; sealed with a mahogany stain
and then finished with 5 coats of West Marine "Skipper" varnish. The teak trim is original to the boat
and got the same treatment as the oak. Note: Finding 1/2" offset hinges was tricky, but I got'em.
Comparison between the cleaned and sanded teak and the old weathered teak.
Old panel materials and new materials.
My new mahogany companion way entry door. I love this thing!
Cockpit locker door mounted and doing its job.
