decking

Decking Repair
and Replacement

Working with wood from sustainable forests or a synthetic alternative, our expert team provide decking options that deliver durability, sustainability, and an authentic appearance.

Need new decking, a repair or complete restoration? Look no further. With decades of experience working on natural wood or synthetic decks, we have the specialist skills required to produce long-lasting beautiful decks that will withstand the test of time whether you are racing, ocean sailing or day cruising. We source the best quality natural wood possible from sustainable forests.

We also fit synthetic alternatives to real wood decking. Made from 2G polymer pellets, it is manufactured into planks, sanded to bring out the grain and then vinyl welded together to create a strong and durable bond. The result is a very realistic-looking substitute that is long-lasting, weather-resistant and low maintenance.

Each type of decking has its own unique properties, advantages, and disadvantages. Below is an informative appraisal of the differences between natural wood decking and synthetic wood decking, focusing on their characteristics, performance, and suitability for various applications.

Natural Wood Decking

Characteristics

  • Material: Natural wood decking is made from timber, typically hardwoods like teak, oak, or mahogany, or softwoods like pine or cedar. Cork is becoming a popular choice.
  • Appearance: Natural wood offers a classic, timeless aesthetic with unique grain patterns and a warm, organic feel. The colour and texture vary depending on the species of wood.
  • Maintenance: Requires regular maintenance, including sealing, staining, or oiling to protect against moisture, UV damage, and wear.

Advantages:

  • Aesthetic Appeal: Natural wood has a rich, authentic look that is difficult to replicate with synthetic materials. It is highly valued for its beauty and traditional appeal.
  • Durability: High-quality hardwoods like teak are naturally resistant to rot, insects, and weathering, making them ideal for marine environments. Stays warmer in colder climates.
  • Repairability: Damaged sections of natural wood decking can be sanded, refinished, or replaced relatively easily.
  • Eco-Friendly: We source the best quality timber possible from sustainable forests. natural wood is a renewable resource and biodegradable.

Disadvantages:

  • Maintenance: Requires regular upkeep to prevent warping, cracking, and discoloration. Without proper care, natural wood can deteriorate over time.
  • Cost: High-quality hardwoods can be expensive, both in terms of material costs and installation.
  • Susceptibility to Elements: Even with maintenance, natural wood is vulnerable to moisture, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations, which can lead to weathering and degradation.
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Synthetic Wood Decking

Characteristics:

  • Material: Synthetic wood decking, also known as composite decking, is made from a combination of wood fibers and plastic (often recycled materials) or entirely from plastic polymers.
  • Appearance: Modern synthetic decking mimics the look of natural wood with realistic grain patterns and colors. However, it lacks the organic variation of real wood.
  • Maintenance: Requires minimal maintenance, typically just occasional cleaning with soap and water.

Advantages:

  • Low Maintenance: Synthetic decking does not require sealing, staining, or oiling. It is resistant to rot, insects, and UV damage, making it highly durable in marine environments.
  • Consistency: Synthetic materials offer a uniform appearance and performance, with no risk of warping, splintering, or cracking.
  • Longevity: Synthetic decking is highly resistant to weathering and can last for decades with minimal upkeep.
  • Cost-Effective Over Time: While the initial cost may be higher than some natural woods, the reduced maintenance and longer lifespan can make it more cost-effective in the long run.

Disadvantages:

  • Aesthetic Limitations: While synthetic decking has improved in appearance, it may not fully replicate the natural beauty and texture of real wood.
  • Environmental Concerns: Many synthetic decking materials are made from non-renewable plastics, and while some use recycled materials, they are not biodegradable.
  • Heat Retention: Synthetic decking can become hot under direct sunlight, which may be uncomfortable underfoot in warm climates.
  • Repairability: Damaged synthetic decking is harder to repair than natural wood and often requires replacement of entire sections.
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Bases on the River Hamble, Southampton. UK.

Ancasta Yacht Services is based on the picturesque banks of the River Hamble in the UK with direct access to Southampton Water and the Solent.

The Port Hamble site features covered workshops for yachts up to 26 meters, an engineering workshop, wood and laminating facilities, and a joinery shop.

If you would like to discuss your next project please contact us.

Contact us

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Undercover Workshops

We have three sizeable bays in our huge sheds in the Hamble Yacht Services boatyard. This allows us to keep your yacht undercover when the deck is being repaired or replaced, giving you significant cost savings by eliminating the need for a full shrink-wrapped tent outside (and reducing unnecessary plastic use) and avoiding unnecessary delays caused by the weather. We can build staging around the boat inside our sheds to provide easy access to the decks if required.

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Modern Teak Laying

Modern teak deck layouts tend to have fewer joins than older ones, meaning our teak and joinery team can lay up custom built teak panels to reduce time and therefore cost.

Making templates of the deck areas out of 6mm MDF, the teak is then laid out and caulked together in the workshop before the panel is glued onto the deck in one piece. This process is much quicker than conventional methods and produces a neater finish due to increased control and better working conditions – it is much easier to lay the planks and margins on a workshop table than on the yacht itself.

The side deck panels, however, are laid directly onto the deck using pre-rebated strips of teak which are pulled into the sheer of the yacht using special clamps. It is also possible to apply teak without the rebate and with full depth seams.

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Precision Teak Fitting

The biggest challenge for the team when laying a new teak deck is making sure that the teak looks symmetrical. The very nature of boats means that their decks are never 100% symmetrical, especially when there are hatches and deck fittings to work around. So, we take care to lay the panels with the utmost precision. This sometimes means shaving just 1mm off each piece of wood to reduce a margin across the whole width of the panel to make sure it matches on both sides of the yacht. Care is also taken to ensure that placement of the snape joins are uniform and follow the natural flow of the deck. Butt joins are hidden under deck fittings where possible, and long planks are used to reduce the number of joins on show.

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The Finishing Touch

Once the teak panels are complete, they are fixed in place using sikaflex 298 bedding compound and vacuum bagged down to create a secure bond. The use of sikaflex instead of epoxy allows the decking to breathe and flex with the boat and helps avoid any spill damage to other parts of the yacht. The deck is then left for two weeks to cure before the team sands it back to 80 grade grit with orbital sanders and the deck fittings refitted.

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Skilled Joiners 

Adam is the Ancasta Yacht Services Boat Building Team Leader, he has boatbuilding in his blood with his father a cabinet maker, his uncle a boatbuilder and his grandfather was a steelworker on ships. Living by the sea, Adam tells us that working on boats was the most natural thing for him to do, and he is proud to continue his family trade. Having has learnt his skills from the best, he has laid teak decks for over 2 decades. Backed up by a large team of skilled boat builders and joiners, we take pride in every project we take on.  

Recommendations

Natural Wood Decking: Ideal for traditional vessels or projects where aesthetic authenticity and a classic look are paramount. Best suited for those willing to invest in regular maintenance and who value the natural beauty and feel of real wood.

Synthetic Wood Decking: Ideal for modern vessels or projects where low maintenance, durability, and long-term cost-effectiveness are priorities. Best suited for those who prioritize functionality and longevity over the organic appeal of natural wood.

Conclusion

Both natural wood and synthetic wood decking have their place in shipbuilding, and the choice between them depends on the specific needs of the project, budget, and desired aesthetic. Natural wood offers unparalleled beauty and tradition but requires significant upkeep, while synthetic wood provides durability and low maintenance at the cost of a less organic appearance. As a shipwright, I recommend carefully considering the intended use, environmental conditions, and long-term maintenance requirements when selecting the appropriate decking material.

Brands we work with

Synthetic Wood Decking
Flexiteek Decking
Approved Installers

Projects

VittfarneDSC_2686

Teek Wood Decking
Baltic 70
Vittfarne Refit

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