Repairs & refits · Teak & woodwork
Teak deck sanding, recaulking and replacement in Malta
Malta's sun is harder on teak than anywhere up north. We measure what is left before advising anything, then clean, sand, recaulk or replace, and show you every stage.
- Written quotebefore any work starts
- Photosof every step, same day
- Reply in 1 working day4 hours on the Gold plan
- Insuredpublic liability for our work
Thanks, we've got it.
We reply within one working day. If the boat is taking water, don't wait: call or WhatsApp now.
Sound familiar?
Pick what your boat is doing.
What we would check first
Normal weathering. A two-part clean and light sand brings the colour back without taking wood you cannot spare.
What we do
What we take care of.
- Assessment firstTeak depth measured at several plugs with a depth gauge, photographed, and the options laid out: clean, sand, recaulk or replace.
- Cleaning and light sandingTwo-part cleaner, fresh water, then a light sand to bring back colour without taking wood you cannot afford.
- RecaulkingSeams reefed out, cleaned and primed, new sealant laid, then sanded flush. Done in sections so the deck stays usable.
- Plank and plug repairsLoose planks re-glued, missing plugs replaced, proud screws sunk and plugged.
- Full deck replacementTemplated panels, glued to a prepared substrate with no screws into the deck, seams caulked and the whole deck sanded once.
- Cockpit seats and gratingsThe pieces that get the most sun and the most feet, rebuilt or replaced to match.
- BrightworkVarnish stripped back and rebuilt coat by coat, or converted to an oil finish that copes better with this climate.
- Interior joineryWater-damaged veneers, sticking doors, broken fiddles and locker fronts repaired by a shipwright.
How it works
Four steps. Nothing starts without your yes.
01
Tell us
Boat, length, marina, a photo. WhatsApp is fine.
Reply within one working day
02
We look on board
Diagnosis before quoting. Nobody guesses from a description.
Usually on board within three working days
03
Written quote
What we found, what we recommend, what it costs, how long.
Nothing starts until you say yes
04
Work, photos, invoice
Photographs as it happens, one invoice with parts itemised.
Same-day photo report
When
The usual jobs, and the months they happen.
Clean and treat
What is involved. Two-part clean, rinse, light sand, optional sealer.
When. Yearly, at the start of the season.
Sand and recaulk
What is involved. Seams cut out and refilled, deck sanded flush, plugs replaced where needed.
When. When seams lift and the teak still has 5 mm or more left.
Deck replacement
What is involved. Old teak lifted, substrate repaired and sealed, new panels templated, glued, caulked and sanded.
When. When the teak is under 5 mm, soft, or leaking into the boat.
Brightwork
What is involved. Old finish stripped, wood prepared, coats built up with sanding between.
When. Before the season, and a maintenance coat each autumn.
usual months any time
What it costs
How the price is worked out.
Written quote
before work starts
labour by the hour for the trade, every part listed
Itemised
parts and materials
supplier invoice on request
Weekly
invoicing on bigger jobs
you always know where you stand
No surprises
if the job grows
anything extra is re-quoted, never just done
Care plan customers: 5–10% off labour and a set response time.
Questions
Questions owners ask first.
How do I know whether my deck can be sanded again?
We measure it. Teak loses material with every sanding, so we check the depth at a few plugs before advising. Above about 5 mm you have options; below that, sanding just brings the leak forward.
Should I oil the teak?
Usually not in Malta. Oil darkens, attracts dirt and needs redoing constantly in this sun. Clean teak left to silver, or a proper sealer, lasts better. We will show you both on your own deck.
Can the work be done at the berth?
Cleaning, sanding, recaulking and plug repairs, yes. A full replacement is better done under cover in a yard, and we arrange that.
Will a new deck match the old one?
New teak is golden and weathers to silver over a season. If only part of the deck is replaced we tell you how it will look in the meantime.
How long does recaulking take?
It depends on the deck area and how many seams have failed, so we quote it after seeing the deck. It is done in sections, so the boat stays usable.
Care plans
Never chase this again.
On a care plan, the deck is washed with fresh water on every visit and the caulking is checked before the summer.
Related reading
Before you decide.
Maintenance · 2 min
Teak in this sun: sand it, oil it, or leave it grey?
Every owner asks. The honest answer depends on how thick the deck still is.
Maintenance · 5 min
Navigating Yacht Ownership: A Comprehensive Guide to Maintenance
The jobs that keep a boat in Malta healthy, sorted by how often they come round: before every trip, monthly, yearly and every three years.
Winter · 2 min
Laying up in Malta: what actually needs doing
Most lay-up advice is written for boats that will freeze. Ours will not. Here is what matters in a Maltese winter — and what you can skip.
Other repairs
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