Boracol day

Boracol on teack

Monday 23 Mar, CY day 9: The strong easterly trade wind that’s been constant for the last 2 weeks is finally abating. And with it goes the threat of rain showers too. So it’s time for one of those annual jobs that I’m not a great fan of: applying boracol to the teak decks. Boracol is a mild wood preservative which soaks into the teak, killing any bacteria and fungi. It’s quite effective, within a few weeks any dark spots in the wood disappear and the colour comes up to that wonderful silver bleached teak look.
Normally I’m pressured to apply it as fast as possible, but in today’s “what job can I do next” situation, it’s actually pleasurable to just take it slowly and methodical. Thus it takes me most of the day to apply just one thick coat of the stuff on all the exposed teak.

We also spend the usual disproportionate amount of time reading the news and checking up on family. One good piece of news for me, my son and his girlfriend managed to get on a KLM flight from Quito (Ecuador) back home to UK. Regarding escaping from Covid-19, it’s bit like going from the frying pan to the fire via a flame thrower, but still good that he is home safe. Though very disappointed their long planned tour of South America was cut in half.

The local news from here is one more person tested positive for Covid. The government has stated a curfew will start tomorrow from 9pm to 5am. So looks like life will change here. Not that we would go ashore in the evening anyway – the restaurants are all closed.

News on Cloudy Bay is that we are ship shape and healthy. We don’t like to shout about it, but we are actually both quite happy in our relaxation. Just pottering on this and that and frankly enjoying not having to think about going anywhere. It’s like being on vacation! Though we won’t go so far as to say “and long may it last”.

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5 comments

Mike Douglas March 28, 2020 - 11:32 am
Could you guys include some of your tedious but necessary teak deck maintenance /Borcal treatment in one of your Cayman episodes. Have read a bunch about pros/cons of teak decks on blue water cruisers (hot decks , maintenance etc..thought I think they positives outweigh the negatives...yes?) and about Boracol so would be cool to how you apply it and the process etc, especially the way you guys present things as you make events like bottom sanding and anti foul repainting really fun to watch! Binge watching episodes this weekend from UK/Scotland (FL - Bahamas episodes), while stuck at home all weekend like most in the UK as we follow the govt guidance to stay home, protect NHS etc etc . Thank god for sailing channels such as you guys and a few others.
Glen March 29, 2020 - 1:39 pm
Mike,Sorry about the stay home order. But as they Del-Boy would say: "you know it makes sense, Rodney"! Yes, there is much advice on teak decks. I would say the biggest and probably only advantage to them is the tradition look, plus maybe some sound proofing. In hot climates they are hot. They use up precious hardwood, they are expensive, they wear out and are difficult to keep clean without degrading the teak. When ours are worn out I will definitely replace with a modern synthetic look-a-like. I couldnt bare to think I cut down more teak trees. Best advice on teak deck cleaning is: DONT! Any agitation or scrubbing reduces their life. They also hate fresh water, meaning they also hate rain. If you have to clean, do it lightly with saltwater. Teak oil is good for them but after a several applications they end up a complete sticky mess. Many many other products on the market are detrimental to the wood's stability. with regard Boracol: I liberally brush on with normalpaint brush, to stop the decks going black (dark) from mildew spots. Boracol kills any fungi and brings the teak back to its wonderfully natural bleached weathered look.
Dennis March 29, 2020 - 9:45 pm
Hi Glen. Glad to hear you and Oana are doing well in Cayman. New York is very surreal being in the epicenter of the CV epidemic. So far we are ok. We were going to launch early but Greenport is shut down so we will just delay launching until we get line of sight on how this crisis develops. Not a very big problem in the scheme of things. Stay well! Dennis
Glen April 1, 2020 - 1:14 am
Dennis, you and Cathy stay safe there. THis is pretty nasty up there.
Mike Douglas March 30, 2020 - 3:46 pm
Thanks for reply Glen :)

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