How much does it cost to replace teak decks on a boat?

Budget £30,000 to £60,000 for a complete, professionally fitted teak deck replacement on a 40 to 42ft sailing yacht, with more needed for complex layouts or structural repairs. Check the remaining teak thickness and the deck underneath first: sound timber may be repairable, but wet sandwich core can add substantially to the bill.

What the quote includes

Deck area matters more than boat length. A centre-cockpit cruiser with teak coachroof panels, cockpit seats and a bathing platform can need considerably more work than another yacht of the same length. Labour rates, location and the amount of deck hardware also affect the price.

Hallberg-Rassy owners provide useful historical comparisons. One 42-footer received a quotation of about €20,000 in Sweden in 2017, including dismasting and hardware removal; another owner reported approximately €25,000 for work in Ellös in 2016. These figures record prices achievable then, rather than what a yard will charge today.

Ask for a written quotation covering:

• Haul-out, storage, cover and any mast removal.
• Removal and refitting of tracks, cleats, stanchion bases, hatches and other fittings.
• Stripping old teak, screws, adhesive and bedding compound.
• Repairing holes, preparing the substrate and fitting the new deck.
• Caulking, finishing, consumables and VAT.

A low headline price may exclude several of these items. Moving the boat to a cheaper yard also adds delivery, transport and accommodation costs.

Does the deck need replacing?

Start by measuring thickness at exposed edges, hatch openings and representative worn areas. Grey timber alone does not mean a deck is finished. Aggressive cleaning and repeated sanding often remove more useful wood than weathering does.

Missing plugs, exposed screw heads, shallow caulking grooves and widespread loose planks tell you more. On older screw-fastened decks, the timber left above the screw heads and the depth available for fresh caulking often determine whether repairs are worthwhile.

There is no universal minimum thickness. Glued and screwed decks have different limitations. Local recaulking, replacement of individual planks and new plugs can extend the life of an otherwise sound deck without a full replacement.

Have the underlying deck checked for moisture and movement, particularly around fittings and old fastener holes. Moisture-meter readings need interpreting alongside the deck's construction and, where justified, inspection openings. Readings alone are not a repair specification.

What raises the bill

The biggest uncertainty usually lies beneath the teak. Water entering screw holes or poorly bedded fittings can damage a balsa or plywood core. Repair means opening the laminate, removing damaged core, bonding in replacement material and rebuilding the skin before decking starts.