CORK FOR COCKPIT

Note: plan to work directly with SeaCork post commissioning.

@September 19, 2023 - paid 2,934 Euros

@October 24, 2023 - paid 2,934 Euros

@October 28, 2023 - paid 3,912 Euros

WATER-RESISTANT

SUITABLE FOR USE WITH MECHANICAL CLEANERS

EASY TO RESTORE

SIMPLE STAIN REMOVAL

SPILLS AND DIRT DO NOT PENETRATE

VINYL FLOORING, NO FIBRES

⇒ partner in France

SailRite Vinyl Snap

Feedback from Inky Blue (O51 - GLYWO) -

“Awen, we are really happy with the cork…. It has stayed a uniform colour and is much cooler to walk on compared to the flexi teak on great circle its pretty robust too the only thing we have done is stained it with banana sap but that was our mistake… we have a 52 on order and will definitely consider cork again… hope that helps … when do you take delivery? Inky”

POC

Liège Marine SAS is a French company marketing, commercialising, selling, pre-fabricating and fitting SEACORK®DECK decking all over the French mediterranean and abroad.

SEACORK® is manufactured in France from virgin portuguese cork, by the same high-tech agglomerator who manufactures elements of the Ariane 5 for the European Space Agency. It is agglomerated under pressure to resist the most demanding marine environments for very long periods.  SEACORK®DECK provides highest security and unequalled performance*.

For over 18 years Yacht captains, navigators, fishing professionnals, yachtmen testproove this world unique & magical material with great satisfaction.

To this day, more than 18 000 m² SEACORK®DECK sails around the globe.

Its softness and insulating properties bring happiness to your feet. Its antislip nature ensures the safety of family and crew. Its organic aspect and golden tint is elegant: it fits right into your design options.

SEACORK®DECK is environmentally friendly, made in France and garanteed 5 years.

Bring a natural solution to ondeck pleasure.

We propose a natural cork agglomerate which behaves exactly like what it is made of: natural cork, only 5% binder. The recipe invented by Dominique Radier takes advantage of two functions: granulate size differenctiation and agglomeration under very high pressure. The real properties of cork are totally present in Seacork®Deck.

The world's major cork producer Amorim (from whom we obtain our raw material) is the world's undisputed best, harvesting from countries around the western Mediterranean region, chiefly Portugal, Spain, Marocco, Algeria...

Amorim produces a similar agglomerate but for indoor use only. It does not resist ocean conditions because it is binded with no pressure and a lot of binder (more than half the total content - because only one size small granulates are used and you need to glue them much more. You will see that the product is uniform grey and does not look like Champagne Tops as Seacork®Deck does. This product has found its way into the German and Italian yacht decking markets as resellers like Marine Kork Germany and Marine Cork Italy. Some of our clients have found themselves in a predicament with this product, needing to undo fitted decks and replace with Seacork®Deck at own their cost (with no reimbursement from the company).

As mentionned, the latest scientific analysis carried out by a reputed Materials Laboratory in Bremen, Germany is clear: Amorim ACM 94 is not suitable for Yacht decking purposes as it soaks up, leaks and desintegrates under oceanic conditions. The study is available upon pro registration (Log In)and email request(in German).

The shipyards using Marine Kork have switched to Seacork. The company Marine Kork is now bankrupt. Marine Cork Italy still sells Amorim 94 in Italy and as the owner wrote: we do not care if Seacork®Deck is stronger and better, because the italian market does not like the natural 'cork' look of Seacork®Deck. This was his argument, simply astonishing! At AGC/LiegeMarinen we believe that the customer has a real choice between the original high quality product and a sub-standard copy? This is the object of this note which can be given to you in French, in German and in Italian.

Seacork is made from true cork, the bark of the mediterranean Cork-oak tree. It is fabricated in plates and strips. It is super-light weight, buoyant. Cork closes our best Champagnes...

Cork is resilient and bends to conform to any movement. It does not absorb liquids, prevents condensation, does not bloat or dry up. Therefore, it cannot crack. Choice material for steel & aluminium hulls (it can be stuck directly on the surface). Seacork behaves like a protective skin.

Marine Cork Agglomerated cork and sprayed-on cork lining stop condensation IMMEDIATELY because they create maximum insulation between a cold and a hot surface. The dew point can never be reached. These two products 'breath', even if the actual cork cells are waterproof and non-porous. Partitions and decks equipped with marine cork absorb humidity in the air inside cabins, 'drying' the environment. It gives it back naturally when the atmosphere dries out. This constitutes an automatic and natural damp control system. Interiors made of cork do not accumulate bad odours caused by dampness and fungi. This is a great benefit of cork.

Seacork is so flexible that impacts 'bounce off'. Its very resilience makes it highly resistant to direct hits. It can withstand very heavy loads without deformation. Big engine and turbine blocs were made of cork blocs until recently. Gaskets are still made of cork! Plus cork resists very high temperature (space shuttle noses and Arianne 5 walls are made of cork for this reason)

On the contrary, Seacork always keeps a pleasant temperature, in a heatwave or the cold of winter. Sunbathe without a towel and enter the shower in winter in the warm...

Seacork does not absorb fish blood, diesel, tar, oil, wine, coffee or sunscreen: it is in fact waterproof. Clean with sea water with a sponge a little dishwashing liquid. Consequently, it cannot freeze, thus there is no need to winter your boat!

Simple brushing and rinsing with seawater is generally sufficient.

For greasy stains ans pollution stains:

Cork, like every organic material, oxidises at the contacts of UV light. A super thin layer of 300 µ (300 microns or 1/3mm) forms with time. This surface lightens up the natural colour of cork and protects cork underneath from further oxidisation. We always recommend keeping this precious layer as you can see on BLJ. It ensures surface protection and furthers anti-skid properties. However, it can be sanded with grit 60 or 80, by hand, to recover the original tint underneath (not more than 1/3mm!).

Cork-oaks are not felled to produce cork bark. The bark is harnessed every 9 years. This action stimulates its growth. Cork-oaks can live and produce for over 150 years! The Cork-oak forests we use for our cork are managed by the FSC. They harbour diversified and dynamic eco-systems and habitats, and contribute to the sustained development of rural communities. They are exploited in harmony beween nature and man.

Cork is 100% renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. It captures twice to 5 times the CO² of wood! You can fight global warming directly with your deck.

Cork production takes into account:

SEACORK is well positioned in terms of tariff.

It is half the price of real teak of similar quality, installed on-deck (8mm for example) without its burdens: overheating, expensive maintenance, wintering in cold climates, heavyweight, rarity, random qualities, time-consuming fit). Real Burmese teak will be instinct by 2018 although some 'hidden' stocks remain which will increase prices.

It is 30 to 40% cheaper than the plastic alternatives installed ondeck (synthetic teak made of PVC, polyester resin or polyurethane plastics)*

Tariffs Tarifs in euro, ex-France, fitted.

True Burmese teak has practically disappeared. Its exploitation is not ecologically viable or politically or ethically correct. Teak wood overheats readily in the hot sun, absorbs liquids & dirt and requires heavy annual maintenance.

Real teak and synthetic teak are very heavy in weight and burden the yacht's environmental and carbon footprint.

Three kinds of cork exist on the planet: two in China and one in the western Mediterranean and Maghreb. Only the latter is usable in oceanic conditions. Seacork is made from world renown Portuguese cork. It is agglomerated and manufactured with the highest quality standards, in France.

Two types of cork are not used for marine purposes:

The 2 Chinese cork species are used for cork paper, cork textile, notice boards, for building material, gadgets...some flooring and... decoration. These qualities do not meet the demands of the marine environment.

CONVINCING ARGUMENTS

Good marine wood is expensive to purchase, to install and to maintain. It absorbs humidity, liquids and stains. It tends to crack, to 'move', it can freeze. It invariably deteriorates after a few years and needs annual maintenance to keep its shape.

Burmese teak (the best teak for marine use) does not exist any more: its forests have been but decimated by overexploitation. They have practically disappeared. Exploitation is under-regulated severely worldwide but stocks are found here and there. Illegal trees are being cut and sold by certain totalitarian and corrupt states via third-party countries such as Indonesia and shipped to the west.

The creation of teak forestries in South American states has a mitigating effect. They ease the overexploitation in Burma but the Burmese teak transplanted to South America or Africa grows far too quickly. It is too tall too young and is felled at 25 years to 35 years without gaining its full hardness and its natural anti-rotting oil. Its use in contemporary marine decking produces non-durable decking (5 to 7-year maximum longevity). This hardwood does not meet the harsh requirements of the marine environment.

Artificial or synthetic ' teak', like all PVC and polyester plastics accumulates heat or cold to the extreme. In science, you call this inertia. This plastic keeps heat or cold for a long time and its insulation value is nil. This means outside surfaces and indoor spaces are unbearable in intense temperatures. Polyesters, PVCs and polyurethanes are not environmentally friendly, especially in marine and nautical activities where they degrade rapidly. The petrochemical industries producings these plastics are great polluters of our streams and oceans. This is a known fact.

Facing these challenges, cork is an excellent solution.

HOW SEACORK SAVES YOU MONEY

Cork is a luxury product. But is economical, compared to its competition.

Seacork is like quality cork bottle stoppers, waterproof and resists pouring rain, seawater, dampness (no condensation) and hygrometric variations and humidity (it thus does not swell or crack). It repels liquids, particularly greasy like oil, diesel fuel, petrol, solar lotions, but also wine, fish blood or octopus ink.

It is highly resilient and flexible: one can walk with high-heels on-deck). It resists crushing under heavy impacted weights. Hits don't mark, but rebound off the surface. An instant compaction disappears within seconds. Cork does not rot does not burn and resists abrasions. Cork is a natural anti-bacterial, anti-mite and anti-fungal material.

Out at sea, security is paramount for Captain & crew, young children and senior sailors. Cork is an extra-fine abrasive: the French Crystal industry still polishes its glasses with its fine powder! Cork is thus a naturally high-end antiskid material. It is waterproof and highly resilient (test a Champagne stopper!).

Its cushion-like bouncing properties offer shock absorption and provide a sucking effect under the weight of your feet, an advantage in gale force seas. In fact, the heavier the sea, the more antiskid the cork surface becomes.

Cork is the best natural insulator (λ= 0,04) It resists temperature fluctuations from -120°C à + 180° C. It never overheats and cannot burn the skin under harsh sun, as teak and plastic decking does. It retains a warm and comfortable temperature at all times, ondeck and underdeck.

Cork absorbs readily sound waves of all ranges. It insulates from exterior and cabin and engine room noises. It absorbs engine and electric pump vibrations.

SEACORK® is a cost-effective alternative. Fitting is efficient and quick. Time-consuming lifting of the teak deck is not necessary because the existing deck is rendered waterproof by the application itself.

Lifting winches, rails and pulleys is generally avoided because the new cork deck goes around.

No special maintenance is required. It washes easily with sea water or sope water and hard brush if necessary (no Kärcher, please!).

Under UVs cork develops its own protective skin of three hundred microns (300μ). This golden/white sheath is even more antislip and protects from the harsh sun and seas.

Its flexibility and lightness greatly simply and shorten installation ondeck. It weighs only 3.2kgs/m² (against 6 for synthetic woods and 9 for real teak!)

SEACORK® is made in France and garanteed 5 years. Installed, the cost is equal to synthetic woods but with numerous advantages. It is half the cost of a teak deck of similar quality. In both cases the crucial differences are security, comfort & performance.

SEACORK® will outlast the yacht's life.

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (essential for a healthy deck)

It is imperative, normal and easy to maintain one's deck, just like one does one's body & clothing!

Cork works hand in glove against global warming and climate change. Cork naturally absorbs and stocks as much as twice to 5 times the amount of carbon dioxide than wood! (CO² is argued to be the most important greenhouse gas, responsible for climate change). Cork has a 'positive' carbon footprint, because it stores more carbon than it produces! This is a crucial element of choice for eco-responsible materials.

CO² emissions

What was the UN Conference on Climate Change in PARIS ?

COP21

Cork does not rot and is thus very durable. Once ondeck, it is there forever. It can be replaced easily when it is damaged by accident. Cork constitutes a permanent and unlimited carbon stocking device. More and more cork oaks are being planted in the western mediterranean. A very effective and durable tool to fight global warming.

Wellness

Cork is naturally hypoallergic, antibacterial and antifungal.

Its flexibility and thermal stability comfort long standing periods and contribute to the well-being of your feet, your articulations and spine.

Production

Cork oaks are debarked every 9 years. This does not harm the tree but stimulates its cork bark growth. This preserves the tree which can produce cork for over 180 years.

The exploitation of cork oak forests is monitored by the Forests ('suberaies') harbour a rich biodiversity and constitutes an essential link in the ecosystems of the productive regions.