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rslifkin · 02-10-2023, 16:25

Good point on the denting. The teak parquet in my galley has quite a few dents in it at this point.

CarinaPDX · 02-10-2023, 18:14

Carina's sole is planked teak over plywood, with the teak bedded in with a brown polyurethane sealant. It is more than 30 years old and going strong. Her companionway steps are closer to 40 years old and have holly strips (proud) let into solid teak; the holly has held up remarkably well for 30 years of cruising and liveaboard use, while the front edge of the teak does show some wear. I would do it all the same way again. Also, I started by oiling the teak sole but have let it age without further treatment. Of course it darkens with time and I like the look and lack of slipperiness.

I see no point in making a teak and holly sole unless the holly stands proud; otherwise it is just as useless as teak and holly veneered plywood. Much work for no practical improvement.

As others have said, using sand for non-skid is a bad idea unless you like tearing up your feet. And you better not fall down on it or you will get a bad case of road rash. I have used polymeric spheres mixed into varnish or paint and find that it is highly effective as well as being easy on the feet and skin. Another non-benefit to mixing sand with gelcoat or paint: it is hell-on-wheels to try to remove. The polymeric spheres sand flat easily, allowing the coatings to be applied and finished, before a final coat with the new spheres in it. I have been using them in varnish on my bowsprit for about 25 years and haven't seen anything better.

Greg

wingssail · 02-10-2023, 18:41

I selected dark mahogany and silver ash for the appearance we wanted, not knowing anything about what was "hardest" or "best", and had the 16 cabin sole boards made of 10mm marine grad ply and a custom 1mm veneer, finished with high gloss polyurethane and the undersides heavily epoxied. They have held up well for 21 years of full time liveaboard use including the completion of a circumnavigation and the abuse that a race boat gets. There is some dark staining on two of the boards where water pools when we are heeled (no bilge to speak of) but I don't know how to refinish them I have trouble getting the polyurethane off to sand down the wood.

There is no accommodation made to "non-skid" but it has not been a problem. The carpets have rubber mats under them.

All of these boards are quickly removable so access under then (into the 6" bilge) is easy.