Cost of Teak Replacement vs Non-Skid.

For those of you who have replaced your teak decks, could you give the rest of us some ideas as to the cost of replacement, the length of the project, and any other problems you faced while replacing the teak.

Trying to get an idea of work involved, costs, and comparisons between teak replacement or non-skid.

Considering replacement of teak on our Swan 38.

Cheers!

-Nathan

Nathan, first thing to be aware of is that by putting non slip on the yacht instead of teak will cause you to loose value.

The cost of the timber represents about one 10th of the total cost of the job. Labour costs are the key element. In Uk labour rates are higher than in say Poland, cheaper on the East and West Coast than in Southampton area by a considerable amount.

Don't compromise on the quality of workmanship, make sure you see finished work and get references. Find out the name of the guy who did the work at the yard insist on him doing the work on your yacht, not the apprentice.

Don't compromise on the quality of the wood, a lot of cheap teakish type wood around. Make sure it is glued down on the deck and not screwed and that you have full depth seams, to maximise on wear.  Do your research on prices don' t rush. Make sure you go down to vist work, so this needs taking into consideration.  Time frame for job is approx 3 months. Costs ?25k to ?40k depending on where in UK. 

Nathan,
I am going to replace teak deck on my own S&S Swan 38/067, in September. Cost of teak in Italy (16 mm of burma teak) is about Euro 1.000 per sq./m, for a first quality job (I found a fantastic shipyard in North Italy, they are specialized on doing teak decks on Swans and Hallberg Rassy), but you have to consider you have to dismantle all deck hardware, and do not forget, once the boat is dismantled, I am sure (as I will do) you are going to overhaul every winch etc, and probably doing some impruvments.
So, it's up to you how much you are paying. By the way, I agree with John's words.
Good chance and fair winds!
Matteo, S&S Swan 38/067 Only You (http://www.only-you.it/)

Excellent comments gentlemen. Thank you.

I spoke with a person from Teak Decking Systems in the US (they also have operations in the UK) and got some good advice that I thought I would share for the rest of the Classic Swan owners out there.

For 1/2 inch (12.5mm old growth Burmese teak) the cost of the wood is around $25,000 for a Swan 38, purchased directly from them. They create a template of your boat, use computer aided designs to cut the wood for an exact match, and send you the wood. They suggest using their caulking products.

http://www.teakdeckingsystems.co.uk/

http://www.teakdecking.com/

Installation costs were quoted as being 1 hour per square foot (.75 hours per square foot for somebody with a lot of experience with their product and teak decks)

I think that the Swan 38 has roughly 175 square feet (not including the cockpit seating) of teak decks. (maybe someone can confirm this number)

Some yards who do this work in the US estimate the costs at around $215 per square foot.

-Nathan

Swan 38/067 (Inspiration)

I am replacing  my teak deck just because it has been done 10 years ago this way by previous owner (designed by a computer in the other side of the world...) and the final job was (is)  disgusting.
Be careful not to do the same on your boat, otherwise you are likely to pay for two teak decks in ten years! The cost for a hand made job by a specialized craftsmanship is about the same as a computer done, the difference is the craftsmanship is on the boat every morning, getting measurments, cutting every piece of wood, sanding the 1 or 2 millimeters which would do the difference from a bad job to a good one, etcetera etcetera. You can discuss with him every day (or week end if the boat is quite far away) details, impruve the design, telling him you do not like a particular detail, etc.
What do you do if you have (already) paid a computer done design and can not get modifications? Or, worse than that, you can do them but pay on top of them.
My teak deck will be done by two old Sangermani craftsmanship, and, at least this is my opinion, it will be be really better than a soul-less computer designed deck, price about the same.
Will let you know during the winter!
Fair winds to all of you!
Matteo Swan 38/067 Only You