Hi Miguel,
For most Moodys, I believe including the M46, there was not much teak deck as standard. It was limited to the cockpit sole and the cockpit seats for all models and odd extra bits like step from side deck to cockpit and steps on the sugar scoop for some of the bigger models. Of course, as an extra, they would cover anything else the buyer wanted with teak. The "standard" teak decking was actually done with teak faced marine ply although this is unlikely to have lasted 20 years so, in most cases, will have been replaced by now and most owners choose to replace in solid teak. Even solid teak decks which live in continuous Mediterranean (or hotter) sunshine will be getting to the end of their life by 20 years.
I think this difference explains why the cockpit sole teak has already been replaced and that has little significance for the condition of the main deck although it's worth taking a close look at the cockpit seats and anything on the sugar scoop. Hopefully the seats have been kept covered under cushions!
This opens up an opportunity for products like Semco, which is a first class teak cleaner and sealer system, protecting the wood from both UV and mould. Regrettably, imho, they offer a "Honeytone" version which contains some dye and distorts the natural colour of the teak, but the basic version is "Natural". If you seal the teak, it will not change to the grey weathered look that some of us like, but remain looking more like new teak. Teak which is treated from new will at least double its life compared to teak left exposed and cleaned by scrubbing, especially in high UV areas. Be sure, Intense sunlight does far more damage to the wood than rain!
Teak has been getting more expensive at above the rate of inflation for all of my (fairly long) life - it's rare to see a new boat planked in teak nowadays. Over the past couple of years this has accelerated to the point that solid teak is now a real luxury except in small parts. If the boat you're looking at has lived most of her life in the Med and they have been treating her decks for all that time, I would call that a bonus, tayher than being due for redecking now, you could have another 20 years left.
I suspect the teak issues you have read of are to do with the "standard" teak in the cockpit.
The part of Moody which used to fit the optional teak decks was sold off and still trades as Moody Decking:
Moody Decking Services Ltd
They supply many yacht builders with the original teak decks in large pre built sections. If the deck on the yacht you are looking at seems in need of replacement, you could ask Moody Decking for the price of a replacement delivered tp a yard near you and ask the yard the price for replacing the deck - that would give you a negotiating lever.
Peter
