Replacing Teak CB Stairs

For best traction, teak steps should have tight vertical grain (grain perpendicular to the surface) and not be varnished. The soft wood between the grain will weather out a bit giving a rougher surface. Horizontal grain boards don't give you this rough surface. However, tight vertical grain boards are hard to find nowadays because a lot of teak currently available is plantation grown and the annual growth rings are widely spaced. In vertical grain boards, that allows the softer wood to wear away at a much faster rate.

Barry Thompson
TOUCAN, R-27 Classic
 
I bought an R27 that my wife and are looking forward to spending time in the San Juan’s on and so preparing to sell the R21EC. The teak cockpit cup holders have taken a fair amount of abuse over the years and long story short no amount of sanding and oiling was going to make them look new so I opted to replace them. Newsflash they are no longer available. Since I have a hobby shop with a CNC it was simple enough to duplicate the original cup holders and they will be well oiled prior to install. If I was going to keep the boat I might consider making covers but I hope to sell this spring.
 
Orcasdad":5elh2lpa said:
IThe teak cockpit cup holders have taken a fair amount of abuse over the years and long story short no amount of sanding and oiling was going to make them look new so I opted to replace them.

This is surprising to me. I spent many a summer making a 30+ year old teak cockpit sole look brand new (and it went ~20 years without anybody taking care of it!). Unless it rots away (which usually requires actual prolonged submersion) this should always be possible with teak.

And even with submersion, I've seen pieces of teak hauled up from 10-year-old shipwrecks oiled to look like new!
 
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