Starboard or Teak ???

[77SceptreOB]

Opinions wanted!

What is the prefered material to use for:

Rod holders ?

Louvered Doors ?

[Handful in NC]

Most people are familiar with the pros and cons of teak, which is still a great material. The original teak on my 38 year Tsunami cleaned up nearly as good as new - nuff said. Who knows what the sythetics will look like after decades.

After fabricating a cabin bulkhead with doors and windows, I have come to dislike Starboard. Though it is supposedly maintenance free, it scratches easily, mistakes cannot be "repaired", and you must use mechanical fasteners because the only very specialized and expensive adhesives don't work well, if at all. Caulks, paints, epoxies, sealants and pretty much everything else you can imagine don't stick well either. So if you can't screw it, don't use it. And large pieces expand and contact with temperature changes like you wouldn't believe, so you have to allow clearance for this.

High density PVC, which is available in boards and sheets from building supply companies for use as house exterior trim, ought to get more marine use. It's less expensive than starboard or teak, very easy to work, pieces can be adhered together, and it will hold paint. The material is not as strong as Starboard or teak, but would work for rod holders or doors. With some creativity, you could route louvers in a one piece door, which would be a lot faster than fabricating a door from pieces with individual louvers. And lots cheaper too.

[77SceptreOB]

Starboard info..