John -

Some love teak some don't. Keep it if you like it. But, the teak definitely dates the boat.

Also, I had to cringe when I saw the name. I have a buddy with a '77 250 Nova that's named "Old School". I had told the wife I was going to call ours (1985 357 Formula) "Old's Cool" or "Old's Cool II" She liked it. But, since yours is older and I haven't ordered the lettering yet you win. We can't have two "Old's Cool" boats on lake Travis now can we?

I've seen you out there before. It's a relly nice looking SS. If it were me I'd keep the paint and windshield. I think it looks good. Personally, I'd like to see the teak go in favor of a tubular platform and plexiglass. (I have the teak on mine too). But, I have had several people tell me how much they like the teak and they kind of talked me out of changing it. So, if you like the teak I say keep it. It will look great either way.

If you see us out on the lake stop by and say hi. We're hard to miss (especially if the engines are running).



Brent & Lisa

I meant to post the pic. Nothing wrong with the old school hockey stick paint now is there?

Whoever talked you into that never had to upkeep teak did he?

I don't know what was used on my teak (done before I bought the boat) but I haven't had to oil, seal or do anything to mine in the three years I've had it. And the finish is still shiny and it hasn't yellowed at all.

Teak is not "shiny" when normally cared for. Some people will varnish the teak to preserve it or make it maintenence free. Untill it needs to be refinished that is.

The trick to maintaining teak is to stick with it. Keep it oiled even before it looks like it needs it, but not wet.

Thanks for all the compliments on the boat. It'll be fun to "restify" it into a custom original classic almost antique.

there is a product out there meant just for teak that is a sealer. It has a color to it and darkens the color of the wood like a stain, and leaves it looking shiny like it was "stained and poly'ed" but doesn't seem to crack or peel. My fathers Sea Ray has had it on for about 5-6 years, and it still looks like it did the first year. Don't have the name though - it is designed specifically for exterior teak on boats.................

We use paint stain on the commercial wood doors we rebuild and some of the new ones. It looks like stain. Its really hard to tell the difference. It has the staying power of paint. Excellent product. I have only used it on one boat. It was a 35 Mistress. It has lasted all of this year.

Maybe it's the Florida sunshine. On my 242 Formula, I sanded the swim platform all down, put teak oil on it, then sealer. It would look good for about 3 weeks. I'm glad my 302 has a tubular platform, if any at all.

Cuda, its becuase the plaform is in the sun all the time.
Since we (hp boaters) usually keep covers on the boats when not in use, the teak is not exposed to the elements much. Therefore not needing as much upkeep as teak in the cockpit of a sportfisherman, or a swimplatform.

Now keeping a teak cockpit isn't nearly as much a pain as all the teak trim. Getting in tight corners w/ brushes and having the cleansers drip all over the fiberglass.

So I'd try to get rid of all the little teak strips, and keep the larger pieces that look like classic eye candy.