Swim Platform

The swim platform on my Launch has the teak installed with the black rubbery caulking.

I used the boat for a couple of years without doing anything but washing the teak with a mild boat soap and sponge or soft brush, as TDS recommends. No oiling, no nothing, other than washing.

This year, it was starting to look weathered so I prepped the wood, lightly (very) sanded, and sealed the teak with Sikkens Cetol Marine Light. 3 coats in a week. Came out very nicely. Pic attached.

For the swim platform, I simply give the teak a good soaking with mild detergent water & scrub accross the grain with a green scotchbrite scrub pad (like you'd use for dishwashing). I make sure not to scrub too much or too hard on the calking. Rinse and dry completely. Then I put a high quality teak oil on the wood and it looks brand new. We use the Launch alot during the summer months and I do that 2-3 times during the season.

My father branded me on CC's as a kid and I grew up with a CC Cavalier (early '60's model, 28', twin 327's). I remember being tasked with sanding / stripping the varnish on that boat. The heck with that! I'd rather seal or oil myself. I live in the south and the sun eats varnish as I'm sure everybody already knows.

There was an interesting thread here not too long ago where somebody 'sanded' the oil into the decking / flooring they installed. I'm pretty curious about that.

Kevin Bray
'06 Launch 22
'69 31' Commander Express