www.iFourWinns.com

Has anyone put "flexiteek" on their boat? Heavily considering putting it at least on the 298 Vista swim platform and inside cabin. How do you like it? Was it worth the cost for the upgraded look? Any problems with it yet?

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Current: 2000 298 Four Winns Vista
Previous: 1999 Maxum 2300
1994 Four Winns Horizon

RUN AWAY. My 348 came with it. It gets UNGODLY hot. I used an infrared thermometer gun and saw numbers like 165F on a 90F summer day. I have to waste several gallons of water hosing it down to a less inferno-like temperature if anyone's going to walk barefoot or sit on it.

Yes, it looks nicer than bare gelcoat. But it really is very uncomfortable to walk or sit on when it heats up.

I've been told other brands don't get as hot. But none claim to stay cool. I'd look into ANYTHING other than flexiteek.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Well there you go...who would a thunk it.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

I will agree with everything bill said. The boat we bought had it on installed and for 2 seasons we tried to live with flexiteek on the swim platform. Tried wet towels, spraying the platform, etc. finally removed it last off season.

We saw a product that I believe was called cool teak last year and sitting in the sun, was not overly warm. Although I love the look of that type of products, I'm sticking with my basic gel swim platform.

We did keep it inside the boat on deck but do keep a carpet down.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

You should look into Sea Dek instead of Flexiteak or an alternative. Does not get hot, very durable and less expensive.

http://www.seadek.com/

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

So, on our 60 deg. F sunny summer days here it'd get to about 100 deg.F or so; sound quite nice !

I never have to put up with boating on such cold days, so I never bothered to check the increased temperature. Once it gets around 80F here the Flexiteek becomes unbearably hot to walk on in barefeet, or sit on.

I've not encountered any other materials, so I can't comment on them. My advice would be to talk with someone that's in your area that actually has it to hear how it's worked for them.

I do like the look, but it just gets way too hot to recommend anyone even think about adding it.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

Bill is correct, around 80 seemed to be the tipping point where you could not stand comfortably on the deck. Although the admiral and I could manage not burning our feet, the problem was with guests and small kids. We raft up quite a bit and when you have people crossing your boat or kids playing, I was always either wetting towels, spraying down the deck or watching that people did not sit on the platform. Was not worth the hassle. Once we figured out how it was adhered to the platform, it was gone.

We did look seadek and even got samples a few years ago. They did not show the teak option then. It did look nice.

Yes, talk to others in your area and see how they like it and how they manage the heat problem.

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Jnizi

2007 Vista 338 "Better Yet"
Previously:
2007 Vista 258 " Just Right"
2005 Horizon 230

I had Seadek in my last 2 boats. I used it mainly for the "slip & fall" factor. Good stuff, but you need to go with light colors to keep the temp down. BUT, the light colors show the dirt more & it will stain. I got some silicone sealent and oil on it and the rings will not come off. For the price, its hard to beat!

Well, silicone would be a problem for just about any surface, bummer you got stuck with the stain. As for regular dirt, the flexiteek (and others, presumably) do a much better job of hiding the dirt than bare non-skid would. When our boat gets a bit dirty from just ambient pollution (like any nearby diesel boats) the gelcoat areas show up a lot nicer after cleaning. The teak stuff doesn't really look much different. So it'd have to be really filthy to start showing much. I don't think they offer variations (or didn't when this was new). In bright sun it really does show up as a nice lighter tan color. Cloudy days make it look a bit grayish.

I've heard fake teak products with a white seam are a little "less worse" than the same product with black seams, heat-wise. But then you're back to dealing with the appearance of dirt.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

We have flex teak with white seams and yes it gets hot in Florida but I will sacrifice a little heat for the look.
We get a ton of complements on it with the rail system.

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2008 318 Vista "Ka-wai-ola"
350 MPI/BravoIII DTS Seacore
2006 1500 Key West -70 Yamaha
Previous Boats
Key West 2300CC
Pacemaker 270 Sport Fish
290 Sea Ray