Lucky

Another update as I know a couple of members are interested in the result. The installer turned up on Monday (this week) spent about half an hour talking to me about exactly how I wanted it laid, then spent about two hours on the boat templating it. Yesterday, Thursday, they turned up, two of them and started preparing the boat. By about 5pm the teak was all laid and looking fantastic, although the glue was oozing out of the sides. They slept on the boat last night (with my permission of course) and as I look out of the window right now, 7.15am they are finishing it off and removing the excess glue.... I will post a few pictures up later of the end result and will be interested in your comments. I know there will be some "die-hard" original teak lovers here of course, but take a look and see what you think !! Luke.

Just what I was going to say Steve !!! AT least it won't hurt if you walk into a covered beam lol !!! Lets see some pictures though !!!!

Sorry, what I meant by "a little expensive" was if you just needed a facia, then £125 would be a little expensive. I actually needed a facia, switches and panel, so £125 was excellent value. Anyway, it arrived back this morning and here it is:-

Thats amazing Dave. How many times magnification is that ?

For the power boaters here, and just in case you need it, I thought I'd tell you about a company that we have recently found... On our new Sealine, the helm control panel - a bank of switches, the facia was broken and faded and looked terrible. I emailed Sealine Sales asking where they purchased the originals, and like previous emails I got no response. I understand that they do not operate a spares department anymore and direct you to their sales agents - so fair enough.. Anyway, after a couple of days searching the net (I'm getting old, and the internet is starting to get complicated to me) I eventually 'happened' across a company called KDD Power Centre and got in contact with them. The service has been absolutely excellent, as soon as they received my panel they checked it, and corrected a couple of faults which I didn't even know existed (no charge) then replaced all the switches and the front facia panel. This is the result:- (Having problems posting the picture - but here is the link to the same until I can get my pics working properly:- http://www.kddpowercentre.com/page13.html ) Comparing this to the sun faded white original panel it has transoformed the helms position completely. The costs - well, perhaps a little expensive at £125 delivered, but I think its well worth while. So, if you need a refurb, or replacement panel, take a look at http://www.kddpowercentre.com and give Brian (the owner) a ring. We spoke for about an hour in total and he is very accommodating !

A quick update !! We got the samples in and Tek-Dek is without a doubt the best in our view. The original quote was for just over £2k, but after politely pointing out that Flexi-Teak price came in at £1500, the suppliers have said they will do the complete job next week for £1600 so a nice result.... This includes the main cockpit, the two side steps on each side and the three level bathing platform. The procudure is that they send someone up to template the areas, go back, then back up to fit. They are in Hampshire, so a lot of travelling for them ! I will post a few pictures up when its finished, and if anyone would like the suppliers number let me know.. Luke

Hi Dave I am in the process of booking Ian Jenkins now (details above), so I'll let you know how we get on. Luke

Thanks for your help donnygeoff, but I really am after a driect replacement. Where they are situated means they can't stick out any further than the originals as they will be caught. However, what a brilliant site you have found. I have bookmarked it for future reference !! Thank you !! Senator - I am already in contact with Nick at Seabridge over a couple of other things, so I will add it onto the list and see if he comes up with anything !! Thank you too !! I completely forgot how much hard work (and money) it costs to bring a boat back to 'near' perfect, we are well on course now and she is looking rather good - just a few more bits and bobs to make her truely ours !!

Great minds think alike !! Since posting the original request thats where I have been searching - still with no luck !

Good idea Dave but Sealine don't actually know what they used mate !!! Had this problem before with parts and all they do is refer you to a Sealine Dealer. Sealine dealers don't know what the non-major parts are ! As far as I am aware there isn't one big book with all the parts used for each range of boats they produce. For instance, I sent them an email last week enquiring about retro-fit teak floor - and they haven't got a clue !! All I wanted to know was who they used ! Is so annoying, I have seen these lock covers so many times before, and normally I can put my finger on the right internet page within a minute or two for anything we are trying to find, well, at least Claire can ! lol ! but not this time.....

I need a little help. I have spent the last hour searching the net for a couple of these. They are the door lock covers which hinge upwards allowing the square peg to unlock the door - I think they are called "escutcheon's" but can't find any in white, or just off white colour. These particular ones are 40mm wide and 50mm tall. Here is a picture - ignore the pen sticking out, I did this just to show how it works.. I'm really stuck on this and would really appreciate it if anyone knew where I could get them preferably on the net.

Thanks everyone for the input !! Real teak is now out of the question I think. I don't actually like it when it turns the silver colour (as it did on one of my previous boats) so I have requested samples from a couple of manufacturers... Will give an update as and when. As I say, one supplier has quoted £2k all in, which I don't think is too unreasonable, but I haven't actually seen the product as yet.... The PermaTeek looks good too !

Has anyone any experience of teaking a GRP deck ?? The options I have found so far are:- Real teak - Very expensive, hard to find a qualified fitter, needs yearly maintenance. Flexi-deck - No maintenance, UV resistent, cheaper than real teak. Tek-Dek - No maintenance, Fully UV protected, will not fade, cheaper than teak. At the moment, Tek-Dek is my choice after going through lots of sites/forums and seeing the general feeling towards the options. I have just had a verbal quote and to do the bathing platform including the two side steps, and the main cockpit area comes to a few pennies over £2000. This includes fitting (which I am told is well worth having the pro do it) although it can be put down myself.... (hmmm) Have any of you had any experience of this - and what would you recommend ?