After years of asking marine professionals and long-term liveaboards about teak deck maintenance using Boracol, we’ve been told time and time again that it’s the best solution. Boracol is a chemical used to manage mold, fungal growth, mildew, slime, dry rot, and insect attacks.
Before becoming a boat owner, I never realized that teak decks are prone to algae and mold growth. In fact, boats, in general, are prone to constant degradation! If you don’t already have my guide, Checklists for Sailors—Passage Planning, Maintenance, Cleaning, Medical & More, make sure to grab a copy.
My guide will empower you with over 50 customizable checklists. Effortlessly maintain your engine’s peak performance with routine servicing checklists and troubleshooting tips, while comprehensive safety checks guarantee your boat’s systems are in top condition. Simplify boat maintenance and cleaning with easy-to-follow schedules, and be prepared for any medical situation with quick-reference checklists and how-to videos. Moving on to marine boracol teak deck treatment.
How to destroy a teak deck!
Algae and mold issues can disfigure a teak deck and make it slippery.
After enquiring about the cost of replacing our teak deck (just out of curiosity), I first had to pick myself off the floor, and then I became very eager to ensure we had a teak deck maintenance system in place.
For our 56’ sailboat with complete teak decking, the replacement cost to remove, prepare, and relay new teak came to quite a pretty penny. I was told getting a new teak deck in Thailand is cheaper, but I wonder how much cheaper it would be?! I also pondered when I’d be sailing by Thailand with the boat.
Our teak deck maintenance regime
On a routine basis, we hose the deck down with fresh water. When we want to give the deck a nice clean, perhaps once a month, or when in a marina, we use a very soft brush, and with diluted dish soap, we lightly scrub the teak going across the grain as opposed to going with the grain.
We’ve always been advised to avoid pressure washers as they can damage the wood. Furthermore, professionals have indicated that scrubbing with a hard brush or going with the grain can negatively affect the teak deck.
Teak deck maintenance using Boracol
Once a year, we treat the whole deck with Boracol or BoraCare using the following process:
- Check the weather. As long as it doesn’t rain for three to four days, it’s a good time to start. Drizzle and dew will not impact the treatment. You don’t want heavy rain to wash the Boracol off the boat before it has time to work.
- Wash the whole deck with a light stream of hose water, a soft brush, and diluted dish soap. Always use the brush lightly across the grain.
- After the deck is clean, wet down the area where you want to start and allow the teak to dry until it’s damp.
- Working in small sections apply the Boracol with a paintbrush. You want the Boracol to be visably wet but not running off the surface.
- Allow the teak to dry out until it’s just damp again and apply a second coat of Borocol.
- The following day, you can spray the deck with a tiny bit of water. This will help the Boracol to penetrate the teak.
- After three to seven days wash the teak deck with a soft brush/sponge and diluted dish soap.
The deck might look worse before it looks better. If your deck has signs of algae and mold, it should look better after around ten days. Below is a link to the product we now use.
Some boat owners treat their deck at the beginning and end of each boating season, whereas others do it once a year or as required. If you’re interested in all our checklists for routine boat maintenance and cleaning, check out Checklists For Sailors.
Tips for teak deck maintenance
While Borax (or Borax-based cleaners like Borocal) can be an effective part of teak deck maintenance on a sailboat, here are some additional tips to keep your teak looking its best:
Cleaning your teak deck:
- Regular Washing: The most important aspect of teak maintenance is regular cleaning with fresh or salt water and a soft-bristled brush. This prevents dirt and grime buildup, which can damage the wood over time.
- Mild Detergent: If needed, use a mild detergent specifically formulated for teak. Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach,as these can strip the teak of its natural oils.
- Rinsing: Rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning to remove all detergent residue.
Protection of your teak deck:
- Teak Sealer: Apply a teak sealer periodically to protect the wood from UV rays, moisture, and stains. There are various types of sealers available, so choose one that suits your desired finish and maintenance preferences.
- Teak Oil: Teak oil can be used to nourish the wood and maintain its golden color. However, it can also make the surface slippery, so use it cautiously on decks.
Additional Tips:
- Avoid Pressure Washing: Pressure washers can damage the soft wood fibers of teak.
- Clean Spills Immediately: Wipe up spills promptly to prevent staining.
- Sanding: Light sanding with fine-grit sandpaper can help restore the teak’s appearance and remove minor stains.
- Professional Maintenance: Consider having your teak deck professionally cleaned and maintained every few years for a deeper clean and optimal protection.
By following these tips and incorporating Borax into your cleaning routine, you can ensure that your sailboat’s teak deck remains beautiful and durable for years to come.
Remember, prevention is key when it comes to teak maintenance. Regular cleaning and protection will go a long way in preserving the natural beauty of your teak deck and preventing costly repairs in the future. Also, check out my article, The Top 14 Boat Mold Removal Techniques.
If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to write them down.
Also, we did try out a product called, Teak Wonder, a while back. At first we were happy with the results but the nice appearance didn’t last long. The amount of work required for such a short result wasn’t worth it (in our opinion). Article: TEAK WONDER: HOW TO MAKE THE TEAK DECK ON YOUR SAILBOAT LOOK AMAZING IN 3 STEPS
I too have teak decks and found a solution that works amazingly well… mind you I haven’t sailed off shore with it. I use Semco teak sealer http://www.semcoteakproducts.com … I’ve had it on my boat for 3 seasons now and I apply a coat once at the beginning of the season and once at the end (living up in Vancouver … wet, wet, wet in the winter) and the deck looks marvellous. It takes me a couple of hours on a 41 footer…
Semco not only looks good, it doesn’t get slippery, and it is a sealant… each coat adds more to the sealant and is very protective. I know John and Amanda Neal applied it to their new deck of their Hallberg-Rassy and of course have been sailing extensively. They used the clear tone and weren’t super happy but it takes a few coats to last. Clear tone also is the weakest of the sealants for durability. I’ve used the natural tint and am very happy with it.
I have heard the same— doing the Semco sealant on my 44′ German Frers this winter!!
Fair winds,
Thomas
S/Y Explorar Conmigo
If you use a dish-washing detergent , keep in mind NOT to use any product that carries LEMON OR lIME in it, those ingredient does the teak wood no good. Normal Laundry detergent, powder that is, is what we used in the olden days.
Great information Fred! Thank you 🙂
Hi Kim
I read about your experiance with teak wonder and the note that it was a lot of work and the effect of new teak did not last long. hwo long does it last befor you need to repeat the process?
as I see from the Boracol video, it’s a long process too. in both cases you clean the deck and then “paint” it with 2″ brush.twice in the case of Boracol.
need help to choose between the two
Rami
s/y Sea-U
Hey Rami, I think it only looked good for about three months. And it was a pain with staining the fiberglass. Every time we washed the boat we’d have brown streaks of Teak Wonder that we’d have to wipe off all the white parts. We gave up with it! It’s not on my recommendation list. Smiles, Kim
Hi
I am Mike Jackson,I would like to purchase Teak Deck Cleaner,in your store/company i would be happy if you can get back to me again with the prices and dimensions you having available in a moment,and also do you take all types of Credit Cards as your payment required?Kindly get back to me here or on phone so that we will work together as one panther. All the best and stay blessed.
Mike.
Mike…I don’t sell Teach Deck Cleaner. Try and google it and look where you can purchase it online 🙂 If you can’t find anything, check out West Marine.
Had two boats, both with teak decks. Tried most popular methods, including doing nothing but cleaning and sea water. Finally found what works over the long term. Keep it sealed from the elements. Including fixing the caulking and plugs. Seal it twice a season with Semco with a bit of Borocal if it gets a bit green in the depths of the Euro winter. I would use a full cover in winter if I had one as well.
How do I know my methods work, ? My current boat is 15 years old, and there is another identical boat the same age in the marina, where the owner uses the just chuck sea water over it method, my teak looks almost new, and his looks like he need a new deck.
Hey John – we use Borocal but not Semco. I need to look into that. Thank you! Kim
Thank you for all your comments. I’m treating teak on my house ballastrade. Will probably use Semco now and some boracol.Has anyone used Starbright teak oil sealer?
Hi all, isn’t sealing teak with Semco unhealthy for this type of wood that’s known to want to work and “breathe”? Cheers, Jens
We’re talking about Boracol and not Semco. Kim