www.iFourWinns.com

Anyone that's read my posts knows I'm not a fan of Flexi-teek decking material. It gets WAY TOO HOT in direct sunlight.

So, how hot does it get?

Well, on a clear 90F day recently I did some testing using an infrared thermometer. It was approximately 12 noon. The skies were clear and the direct sun tested surfaces had been under full sun for at least 5 hours. A part of the non-skid deck that had been shaded by the bimini (about 3 hours in the shade) read 92F. Another section of non-skid deck out in direct sunlight read 125F. My Flexi-teek covered swim platform read, get this, 170F.

ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY DEGREES. More than hot enough to cause burns to your feet, especially those of younger children.

Now I'm sure there are plenty of variables to consider. I tried to make sure I was doing this test on a typical summer day, when the boat was in full sun since daybreak. Even with a margin of error in the thermometer's readings it's still going to be hot enough to cause injuries.

So to anyone considering getting the Flexi-teek option, I strongly discourage it. Sure, it looks nice, but is it worth risking people getting injured?

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

I too have the Flexi teak on my 348 and its like fire walking. So what is the alternative if there is one.

Gee, bill ..... I don't recall John doing that test, or mentioning that potential issue, when he did a 1/2 hour Ship Shape TV info-mercial on the stuff .........

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Gordon Arnold
New Hampshire

2003 268 Vista ..................................................................Prior: 97 245 Sundowner

There are supposedly a couple of newer materials, one that touts being cooler too. But by how much I've no idea.

I don't relish the idea of peeling up the existing Flexi-Teek, it looks like it's stuck down pretty well. I'm sure it can be removed, but I don't hate it enough to put myself through the ordeal (let alone the expense).

Instead I'm offering a bit of real-world proof to anyone thinking about. And cautioning them against it.

As for boat reviews, heh, I needed a good laugh this morning. Thanks!

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

TxVista has Flexi-teek on his 328....I cant say I have asked and he hasnt mentioned how hot it gets...but I am sure its the same for what you have stated.

I really want SOMETHING on our platform, but not sure what to get. A friend of mine had a carpet piece made locally for his boat that snaps on just like the carpet inside the cockpit and I have considered that. There is another solution that I think is called Hydro-Turf. Its commonly used on jet skis and such, but I know several people that have put it on their platforms on ski boats and it works great! Doesnt get hot, its durable, and gives extra traction. The thing is...I fear that it would look out of place on a cruiser.

http://www.hydroturf.com/

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I am looking at a product called CoolTeak as a replacement for our swim platform and doing carpets inside. I am ordering a sample to test before I do anything. What we do now is wet a few cheap white towels and leave them on the swim platform when we are anchored out. Its cheap and works.

I agree it looks great and in cool weather or when overcast its fine to step on without loosing a layer of skin.

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Jnizi

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

We have three or four boats near me in the marina with the flexiteak. They make me drool, I love the look. The heat stories make me cautious, but the real issue is my wife doesn't like the look. So I'm stuck with white nonslip gelcoat, that always looks dirty. I'm thinking of trying a carpet.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

I have Seadeck http://www.seadekstore.com/baja.aspx It's just fair to keep clean, great to walk on. Gets hot, but no were near 170. AND a lot cheaper than Flexi-teek.

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

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

Coolteak, yeah, that's the other product I'd heard about. It'd be interesting to hear what temps it gets to when left out in full sunlight on a hot summer day.

One thing that comes to mind is thermal mass. I'm guessing the flexi-teek gets hot not just due to the surface but also due to the thickness and how it's attached.

We use a wet towel too. It just looks terrible and leaves me with one more wet thing to deal with.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

One issue with carpet is watching out for your wake. I lost a mat I had back there for the dinghy to rest on. Stopped quick and the wake caught up. Swamped the platform and took the mat with it. $25 lesson learned (cheap at B.O.A.T. prices). There there'd be the issue of wear from crossed stern lines when docked. The flexi-teek shows no sign of it but the lines do. I'd imagine a carpet would take a beating from lines rubbing on it.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

No crossed stern lines for me, no tide and no real way to do it on my dock. I use the wake swamping technique to clean my swim platform, it's easier with a crowd and scares the newbies. I've lost a mat or two that way too.

I would have to snap in a carpet or at least tether it somehow. Otherwise I'd find out how long it floated. I'm kind of kicking myself now, as my wife just had carpets made for the cockpit and I should have thought of the swim platfrom then. Of course that carpet was discontinued.

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2008 V358 Two-tone Blue V/P Dual Prop 320 HP
Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

My friend that had the platform carpet made has his snapped on....he even tows short distances without any issue. Its definately something I am starting to consider because trying to keep my platform white is too much work!

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

It sure does get hot. Not sure if it is 170 degrees though. I was on mine this past weekend, temp was 108, heat index was hotter, not a cloud in the sky. Was tied up from 1pm - 8pm. The cockpit is not bad under the bimini, but the platform is pretty damn hot. I usually just splash water on it, or lay a towel down if we are going to sit on it. I was standing barefoot on it and it was hot, but nothing I couldn't handle. My guests were more sensitive than I was to the heat though. Maybe I'm just used to it. I've seen the carpet, and it looks better in pictures than in person. I wonder what the differences in temp are between real teak and the imitations. From my experience, the real teak is just as hot, so if you want that look, prepare for the heat.

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2001 328 Vista

Previous Boats:
2004 Sea Ray 220 Select

we have the flex-teak on our platform.

Yep, it gets hot on the toes. However, it's really nothing that a little shower washdown hose doesn't fix in less than 8 seconds. Or, people getting in and out of the water -- keeps it cool.

when you are hanging out, drop a beach towel down on it. Pick it up when you leave. problem solved.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA