Decking problem SO32i (2007)

[jessieb]

Just curious if anybody else has seen this problem...

I took delivery of a new SO32i in April this year.
The boat was a stock boat and I had a few mods completed before delivery. The boat came with a factory fitted artificial cockpit decking (similar to Tek Deck) After a few weeks on the water the edges began to lift in a few places, resulting in a number of repair visits by the dealers technician. In spite of this the problem has persisted however the dealer has agreed to remove and fully replace at the end of the season. Has anybody else come across this problem and if so should I opt for standard teak as replacement instead ?? Any opinions are welcome..

[Geoff]

Hi

Whilst the "false" stuff looks good from a distance....you cannot beat the "real thing".

I had Teak fitted on the cockpit floor and it is fantastic. When the teak gets wet then the grip increases rather that the other way around and getting more slippery when wet.

The real thing also dries very quickly.

If you have an option to fit teak then I would do so.

I then clean it with International Paints teak restorer a couple of times a year with a handheld brush and scrubbing with the grain and it comes up as new.

Happy sailing.


Geoff. ;D ;D

[cdrmike]

Hi
We had real teak staves fitted to the cockpit of our 34.2 last winter and the cost was comparable to quotes of Tekdek or similar. The original bench and swim platform teak was cleaned at the same time and it all looks and feels the same.
The feel of the cockpit has improved 100% and it has survived the worst that the Channel has thrown at us this season. The staves of teak are far superior to the Jeanneau supplied kit provided it is done by a competent fitter. Cost was £940 ish including cleaning of other teak.

[sherekhan]

Hello
I think the artificial teak decking is really value priced to be the same as that of teak per m2. I did not take the option of teak cockpit floor on my new 32i in 2006 : but she came with teak seats as standard. On the one hand great for not worrying about the sole on the other wrrying about chips to the gel coat:
i would go for a retro fit genuine teak fitted by a professional. This is also your opportunity to fit a bracing bar( removable) for upwind sailing: see follow on mail.
Finishing of the seats could have been better as coal dust ( a hazard at Largs from the coal terminal shows up the fitters scratches where they scraped of the edging compound so watch for that on a new boat.
fair winds