Replacing H46 transom teak steps

[svphoenixdawn]

Any consideration for synthetics worth exploring - i.e. Flexiteek?

Bob
sv Phoenix Dawn

[bjhsail]

Jeff and everyone - thanks for the detailed responses and pictures, very helpful!
Brad
Helios, 2000 H46 #27

[jt11791]

Hi Jeff,
I'm replacing the transom steps on my H46 #29 After Landing. Can you provide any information regarding the removal of the old steps?
How were the old ones applied and what did you use to apply the new steps? The photo you posted of the new steps looks great, any pictures of the final results?

Thank you, Bob

Hi Bob-

The originals were held down with black caulking of some sort, possibly the same stuff that is between the boards.  Removal was accomplished with a hammer, chisel, and a putty knife.  It wasn't too bad a job.  Underneath, my steps were gelcoat or bare fiberglass.  I took time dry fitting each panel and making adjustments with a rasp and sanding block to get a good fit.    The company that made my new panels suggests bedding them with thickened epoxy, but I do not like that idea as it makes future replacement near impossible.  Instead, I went with the black caulk approach as was used with the originals.  I tried several types of caulk with mixed results.  3M 4200 comes in black and worked the best, but it costs $25/tube and you'll need a lot of it.  I also had good results with $6/tube DAP "Dynaflex Ultra" I found at Home Depot.  The Dow 795 I tried did not cure even after a week of waiting, I don't know why, so I had to scrape it all out and try again.

I'm very happy with my results, the only change I might make is to have new panels made 1/2"(12mm) thick instead of the 3/8" (9mm) I ordered.  The 1/2" panels cost more but last longer, a tough call.

[floatsum]

Hi Jeff,
I'm replacing the transom steps on my H46 #29 After Landing. Can you provide any information regarding the removal of the old steps?
How were the old ones applied and what did you use to apply the new steps? The photo you posted of the new steps looks great, any pictures of the final results?

Thank you, Bob

[jt11791]

Ah!  Yes, they are teak.

[Nirvana]

Thank you, they look nice.
‘Team’ was supposed to be “Teak” but of course spellcheck ‘fixed’ that!

[jt11791]

Jeff, how was the quality?  Are they team?  Can you snap a pic of those and post them for us? 
I’m also interested in doing this as ours are quite worn as well.

Thanks, Ken

How is the quality?  Of course, I haven't installed them yet, but out of the crate they look very good.  They match the templates I made (for better or worse) and the wood is smooth and free of defects.

Are they team?  Um, not sure what you mean here.

Here are two photos of the transom step panels.  One thing to note is that they need to be washed, as there is quite a bit of wood dust on them.  The dust makes the black caulking look gray.

There will be some work involved installing them.  The top two steps, for example, need to be cut to allow for the lift-up lazarette door.  I will be quite nervous as woodworking is not my forte, but moving slowly and carefully, I'm reasonably confident I can get it done.

[Nirvana]

Jeff, how was the quality?  Are they team?  Can you snap a pic of those and post them for us? 
I’m also interested in doing this as ours are quite worn as well.

Thanks, Ken

[jt11791]

Brad-

I'm in the process of doing this on my 54.  I made templates and sent them to Maritime Wood Products Corp. in Florida.  They made the panels and I just received them today.  The transom steps and the steps into the cockpit were $1500 altogether, not too bad.

-Jeff Taylor 

[Ambition]

I received a quote two weeks ago in Antigua from a reputable woodworker … US$3000 to replace our stern steps with new. He has already done a H49 recently.

Merrill and Maryse
S/V Ambition H46#40

[joel]

Brad,

If you can remove each piece without breaking it, you can use a router with an edge bit to make a perfect match (if the edges are not beveled). That's how I make new hatch lenses. 

Sometimes QL prices are amazingly reasonable, then there is this.

Joel
Hylas 44 # 66
Atlantis

[bjhsail]

Hello everyone - Brad here on our 2000 H46 "Helios". I am looking to replace the teak deck boards on the transom and cockpit coaming steps as they are wearing out. I exchanged emails with Queen Long 6 months ago, who said that they threw away the templates for these areas when they were cleaning out. As a result, they asked that I template each area and send the templates to them. Cost to produce new pieces = around $3500.

I am not confident that I am going to be able to template these areas accurately enough, and at that price I am exploring other alternatives. Has anyone replaced these steps on an H46, 49, 54/56? I'd be interested in knowing how you went about it and what materials you used. I'm looking at synthetic deck materials, as the transom steps are quite exposed and the lowest step is often submerged underway.

Thanks for any thoughts,
Brad