STUART, FLORIDA

Expertly Selected · Precisely Milled
Built to Perform

Custom yacht decks, architectural millwork, hardwoods and FEQ teak. Milled and built by the people who know the material.

MARITIME is the authority on custom teak decks and a worldwide supplier of the finest-quality wood products for yacht building, yacht restoration, and coastal-inspired architectural. We are experts on wood and its application, and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you!

We're glad to share our wood expertise on projects large or small.

(800) 274-8325 · International +1 (772) 287‑2919

Teak is prized in nautical applications for its natural oil content, exceptional rot-resistance, and excellent non-skid characteristics. It stays cool underfoot and holds up in salt and sun for decades with some basic care. Because of these properties - and its natural beauty - teak adds measurable value to yachts. The easiest way to care for teak is simply to keep it clean; and MARITIME is glad to provide maintenance tips or advise on material options.

We commonly run into yachts with our MARITIME decks in service for 20+ years. Factors determining a deck’s longevity include the fabrication and installation method, quality and milling of the teak, use of a high-performance deck caulk, and the selected thickness of the teak - for example on a heavily fished charter vessel. Geographic differences can also play a role, as a picnic boat in Maine may be hauled each winter, while a superyacht may be on the water year-round in both the Caribbean and Mediterranean. While teak’s natural durability helps it withstand marine exposure, good drainage, gentle cleaning, and periodic inspection of the wood, seams, and bonding allow a yacht deck to retain its appearance and performance for many years.

Legally sourced, marine-grade teak represents a small fraction of global teak supply, with much of the world’s teak production directed toward furniture and general woodworking. From this select wood supply, a well-made yacht deck is then fabricated with only 100% quarter-sawn lumber, producing tight vertical-grain planks that are more dimensionally stable and resistant to wear. The exceptional natural performance, combined with a limited supply of the highest quality grain, is what makes teak a premium hardwood. Call us and we can show you the differences in wood grades and milling and help determine the grade of teak MARITIME recommends for your application. Across commercial, residential, and marine applications, teak’s upfront cost is rewarded by its remarkable longevity and proven performance.

Originally, FEQ stood for “First European Quality,” but as global sourcing and standards have evolved, the term has become a general designation for top-quality teak. Today’s challenge is the loose application of this classification by wood sellers, and why MARITIME maintains its own sourcing, grading, and in-house milling standards to ensure the best teak for our customers. Our milling process enables our experts to handle each piece, to reveal its true grade and characteristics - and its suitability for your application, e.g. yacht decking, interior flooring, architectural millwork, etc.

Synthetic decking describes a wide range of chemically-based, or chemically-stabilized, deck coverings. Products can vary from a spongy foam or rubbery type matting, to a hard coating applied in liquid form. Some other teak alternatives are derived from wood or cork, and then heavily infused with epoxies. These products typically offer lower upfront cost and can offer a non-skid solution for recreational boats that don’t want teak. Drawbacks of synthetics are how the deck looks and feels, how it handles heat, and how it cannot be easily repaired or refinished down the road. We are wood guys, but have installed synthetics too, and glad to answer any questions to help your decision.

The service-life of a teak deck can often be extended, and we are glad to evaluate your deck to determine if the situation is cosmetic or structural, and how we might approach it. Send us some photos or give us a call at 800-274-TEAK. We’ve seen it all, and we’re glad to advise on the repair, re-seaming, or partial replacement of a teak deck.

Not at all. Teak’s silver-gray tone is a thin layer of surface oxidation caused by natural exposure to the elements, and it does not mean the underlying wood has deteriorated. Many yacht owners deliberately let the teak turn a silver blonde. If you prefer the look of fresh teak, at any time a light sanding can remove this layer to reveal the rich golden color beneath. We also recommend our specially-formulated MARITIME Teak Deck Cleaner to remove stains, clean, and brighten teak safely. What can harm teak and surrounding finishes permanently are caustic 2-part chemical cleaners, so we advise against them.

Yes, and yacht interiors are a big part of our business. Teak cabin sole flooring is recognized as the classic nautical look, often alternating teak planks with thin white hardwood strips of holly or maple. To complete an interior, we also supply teak for joinery, trim, and veneers. We also provide prefabricated floors and a range of teak components for our OEM boatbuilders and RV coachbuilders. Give us a call at 800-274-TEAK and we can provide recommendations, quote on a design you have, or build you a prototype.

We are committed to your success, and we are glad to recommend substitutions and apply our experience to help you value-engineer. MARITIME provides a range of hardwoods including sapele, ipe, wenge, cherry, and walnut, and depending on whether the job is exterior, interior, or commercial – an alternative wood species may serve you better. Call 800-274-TEAK and tell us about the project, and we’ll give you an honest recommendation on what will serve you best.

MARITIME Wood Products is located at 3361 S.E. Slater Street in Stuart, Florida – a town known as the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” due to the unique intersection of the Atlantic Ocean, Intercoastal Waterway, and St. Lucie River. You are welcome to come by during shop hours and put your hands on the material and meet our staff. Call us at 800-274-TEAK before you head over so we can have the right stock pulled and someone free to walk you through it. If helpful, we can provide images and samples, if you have questions about a material we have not supplied you before.

You can absolutely just buy lumber. A good share of our business is selling raw stock to yacht carpenters, boatbuilders, contractors, and purchasing managers who are doing the carpentry themselves. Have a cut-list or square footage measurement? Send it over and we’ll gladly quote you on the material order, with as much or as little milling as you need.