Carpentry

Carpentry and joinery is a very important part of any yacht refit project, especially a superyacht, and there are many various projects a carpenter is going to be needed for onboard. Expert joinery skills are required when making and fitting bespoke interior and exterior furnishings, interior panels, tables, lockers and cupboards. We can design and build brand new interiors and exteriors modernising your yacht to your specifications or refurbish existing designs depending on your requirements.

Skilled carpenters are also needed if you’re modifying part of your yacht’s superstructure, for example, when extending a large composite flybridge. Accurately measured and cut wooden framing and supports are made and used to support the heavy fibreglass panels whilst they are bonded to existing structures and permanent supports are fitted.

Teak Decking

The deck is one of the first things you will notice when boarding a yacht and where many guests will spend their time on sunny days. We use rift-sawn Burmese golden teak for our teak Teak Decking Systems fitted to customers specifications, thickness and design together with Sikaflex caulking and 3M products when installing a new or replacement traditional wooden deck. The Sikaflex caulking we use is a superior product that has a longer lifespan than cheaper options.

“We give free quotations for all proposed projects.”

“All our Carpentry & Teak Decking works are covered by our Limited Warranty.”

Our high-quality teak decks will last for years and are covered by our Limited Warranty.
Please contact us for more details.

Repairing or Replacing a Teak Deck

After years of service, there will come a time when your yacht’s teak deck will be in need of repair and damaged planks and caulking need replacing, or after many years of service, a full replacement may be required.

When repairing or replacing teak decking, any necessary fixtures and fittings will need to be removed and we will protect exposed areas of the yacht using 3M plastic sheeting and tape up any hatches or vents necessary.

General wear and tear over the years will gradually reduce the teak decking system in height and in places the caulking can dry out and begin to crack, shrink and break away. When this happens water can begin to penetrate the teak and also compromise the adhesion with the substrate the wood is bonded to causing physical failure of the decking. If left untreated, this can end up with the more costly option of needing to replace the whole decking system.

The causes of this wear to the deck caulking include;

1. Footfall: Crew and guests walking on-board the yacht.
2. Sun Exposure: Being almost completely horizontally flat, exterior yacht decks are exposed to high levels of UV rays from the sun, which is very harmful to the caulk.
3. Constantly Getting Wet Then Drying Out: Exterior decking will constantly get wet from seawater and rainwater, this creates a continual cycle of expansion and contraction of the wooden deck planks, which puts strain on the bond between the caulk seam and the planks. There is a need for a very strong and stable wood to be used for the planking, Burmese rift sawn teak has these properties.

Here are some common signs that your yacht’s deck needs recaulking;

Caulking Chemical Failures

• Crocodile skin: The surface of the caulking has shrunk, dried out and has a crocodile skin look and texture and underneath has become soft and sticky.
• Black marks and smudges start to appear on the teak decking. Often the caulking will look like its condition is good, but has become partially water-soluble with the surface becoming soft and sticky. When crew and guests walk on caulking in this state, it can stick to their shoes and gets everywhere. You can test the caulking when it’s wet by rubbing your finger on it. If it dissolves, it needs replacing.
• Complete product chemical failure: This is when the caulk is visibly soft and has lost its integrity.

Physical Failures

• The decking leaks: If your deck is leaking, caulking is often but not always the culprit.
• Sidewall bonding issues: The adhesive bond between the caulking and the deck planks becomes compromised over time following continual expansion and contraction of the wood through changes in temperature and water exposure. Eventually, one or both sides of the caulk seam becomes detached from the wood planks as a result of poor adhesion and the caulk shrinking.
• The caulking has become detached from all 3 surfaces: This often occurs when the teak has worn thin and the caulking has shrunk and has become detached from the substrate and the 2 teak planks on either side of the seam.
• Poor installation: If the teak decking was incorrectly installed and wasn’t sufficiently well bonded to the substrate, this can lead to physical failure. Also, if the caulking wasn’t applied correctly and there are voids or gaps, this can allow water in, which can also ultimately result in physical failure.

When the Caulking is replaced

When we have replaced the caulking the teak deck will be sanded and cleaned and all fixtures and fittings that were removed will be replaced. The decking will look as good as new and will last for many years to come adding considerable value to your yacht.