Teak deck laid in epoxy

[Guest]

Dear all,

For my next boatbuilding project I'm considering to lay the teak deck in epoxy and fill the gaps between the teak strips with graphite-epoxy.
On westsystems home page (epoxyworks) I found a nicely written article on the subject describing exactly what I had in mind - direct link: http://westsystem.com/ewmag/

I'm planning to use teak strips 6 mm thick and maybe 40-45 mm wide.

I wonder if any of you have long term experience with teak decks laid using this method -ex can the teak strips/planks last without cracking when they are totally locked in position ?

I'm living in Denmark where the climate offers a little bit of everything - except tropical conditions - unfortunately :-)

Looking forward to read your responses.

All the best
Henrik Ahrenst

[mmd]

Henrik, the problem that I see in laying the teak in epoxy is that the connection between deck and substrate is rigid and won't allow for the expansion and contraction of the teak. Something will break eventually.

I have been involved with several quality yards who have addressed this problem by adhering the teak to the substrate with polysulphide adhesive, such as 3M 5200. The bonding properties are excellent, it is waterproof, and it's flexibility allows a small amount of wood movement.

[gonzo]

Using 5200 to bed the teak on works really well. We have had a lot of success with it. If you use epoxy to bed the planks, a thinner width would be better.

[Uli]

Hey there
I don't see a problem in using epoxy to conect the teak with the deck. It workt fine in the shipyard I used to work and they work this way for the last 15 years. But I thing you will get trouble between the sticks. I used to work on a boat that had a brand new oregon pine deck clear painted and the gaps were filled out with black colort epoxy. A lot of the gaps just rip off because the wood is working to much. And another thing I don't like on epoxy in the gaps is that you don't have much gripp and when it gets wet it's jut no fun anymore.
cya
Uli

http://www.martin-yachts.com/yacht-building/building-phases/teak-beam-deck.htm

[Dragonfire]

Hello, I am looking for a friend who use to live in Arhus, and still may. His name is Arnie Lawson and this was in 1971. We lived on and ran a small ship named HO-SAN-NA, under the Panama flag. He would be in his 50's I am guessing. Do you have any people search engines in Danmark??
We are laying our deck down with 5200, with jute or cotton between. Let us know what you try!!

Chuck Klim

[Guest]

Thanks for your proposals.
I tried to search for this gentleman Arnie Lawson on two search engines - but no luck.
I used: http://www.degulesider.dk/yp/Navnebogen/White
and www.krak.dk

Best regards
Henrik Ahrenst