ibinews.com International Boat Industry | JUNE–JULY 2019 81
large cockpit sea anglers has led to the
development of tough and washable
exterior carpets, some of which are fully
detachable to prevent them getting
messy during certain activities. One
party boat even covered its decks with
domestic-grade artificial grass to soak up
spilt drinks – and vomit.
For the production boatbuilder, the end
result is a deck that is relatively easy to put
down, looks great, and is cost effective.
For the boat owner, it is easy to maintain,
resistant to ultra violet and heat, and gives
good grip in all weathers.
Whilst teak remains the industry gold
standard of a quality ‘traditional’ deck, there
has been a shift in buying trends towards
alternatives that are not only cheaper, but
greener. Customers are becoming more
aware of their impact on the environment
and want to do their bit for the planet.
For the teak suppliers themselves, they
are keen to source their timber from
sustainable sources where replanting is
part of the business model. One yard in
China has even established four teak trees
outside the reception hall to endorse its
environmental credentials.
The huge rise in the cruise ship industry
- now worth £100bn a year to the global
economy – has also led to some cost-
effective large-scale decking solutions,
whilst advances in CNC cutting has allowed
customers to create some remarkably
detailed patterns in wood, vinyl and faux-
teak mats.
Here we’ll focus on the various solid
solutions to make an external deck not only
aesthetically pleasing, but also practical and
functional for a long life afloat.
GENERAL
TRENDS IN
DECK COVERINGS
TREND 1 Teak still reigns
For many owners, there is simply no
substitute for the real deal – genuine teak,
however good the artificial alternatives
appear. “Genuine teak only comes from
trees with the scientific name Tectona
Garndis,” says the literature for US-based
Teak Deck Systems. The company straddles
both camps as it provides both real and
artificial versions. “Above all other woods,
teak is resistant to rot and decay, and is
not normally attacked by insects. It has
high levels of dimensional stability, with
minimal warping, and once kiln dried
will not absorb significant amounts of
additional moisture, which enhances its
mechanical properties.”
As with other suppliers of natural teak,
Teak Decking Systems is acutely aware
of the ecological damage being done by
unregulated logging, so only sources its
timber from sustainable forests. “Because
our teak is allowed to grow in its natural
state, it displays much tighter ring growth
than plantation teak,” the brochure claims.
“This is a more durable product that lasts
longer, so reduces demand for its eventual
replacement.”
Other timber companies are following
this ecological path, and harnessing
technology to minimise waste whilst
ensuring a quality product. Dutch-based
Bloem de Maas supplies superyacht
companies around the world under the
slogan ‘No teak deck is impossible’ and
uses advanced autocad CAD and Rhino 3D
software to produce ‘exceptional designs
with tolerances of 0.1mm.”
Another solution to sustainability is
a new product from Italy-based Nord
Compensati, a major supplier of natural
woods and composite panels to the marine
industry. A specialisation is replica Riva
deck panels. “Evoteak is the freshest
addition to our range,” said sales director
Christian Ferrè. “Teak logs are sliced, de-
structured and then reassembled. The final
products are endowed with a seamless grain
pattern, no inbred defects and with the
same marine performances of non-treated
teak. We produce Evoteak minideckings,
superdeckings and a lavish 3mm veneer.
And it’s all FSC certified.”T The cruise ship industry consumes vast
areas of non-slip decking. This is Bolideck
Future Teak by Dutch company Bolidt on the
cruise ship Anthem of the Seas