Sealant for rebedding

[Christian Williams]

Maine Sail's butyl tape is great for fittings. For bedding portlights I much prefer caulk, which fills gaps and is easy to clean up afterwards (outline the exterior part with painters tape).

Butyl needs to be compressed to be effective, whereas Ericson portlights sit in their openings, held by the exterior flange against the pressure of breaking waves. The interior trim is mostly cosmetic and not intended to be tightened hard like the bolts of a deck fitting.

Choose a low adhesion caulk, there are many good ones. No 5200, which is a strong adhesive. Boats flex, which is why Ericson portlight openings are slightly oversized (and crude)--a permanent bond is to be avoided.

 

[Vickigehrke]

Wow, that's clarifying it. Thank you.

 

[p.gazibara]

Maine Sail's butyl tape is great for fittings. For bedding portlights I much prefer caulk, which fills gaps and is easy to clean up afterwards (outline the exterior part with painters tape).

Butyl needs to be compressed to be effective, whereas Ericson portlights sit in their openings, held by the exterior flange against the pressure of breaking waves. The interior trim is mostly cosmetic and not intended to be tightened hard like the bolts of a deck fitting.

Choose a low adhesion caulk, there are many good ones. No 5200, which is a strong adhesive. Boats flex, which is why Ericson portlight openings are slightly oversized (and crude)--a permanent bond is to be avoided.

Ericson port-lights actually stiffen the cabin sides. Particularly on the second generation boats (which I have).

The cabin sides are amazingly thin, so the port-lights act as a slightly structural member with their aluminum frame. It is a good idea to use something that is very flexible to keep them from leaking.

-p

 

[Christian Williams]

The cabin house of the 1980s boats is at least 3/8ths and exceedingly strong.

 

[Vickigehrke]

The cabin house of the 1980s boats is at least 3/8ths and exceedingly strong.

Our 1970 is 3/8" thick....idk about how strong!!!

 

[gabriel]

Thank you!!

YW...your results may vary! have a good one!

 

[Blue Streak]

Attached is a good read on use of butyl tape for your research.

Bedding Deck Hardware With Bed-IT Tape - Marine How To

Originally published December 2003 *Moved & Edited September 2017 Bedding With Bed-It Tape 5/20/2022 IMPORTANT UPDATE BED-IT TAPE IS BACK PURCHASE BED-IT TAPE Countersunk/Beveled Hole Over the years,

marinehowto.com

Wow! That is exactly the information I was looking for, as I prepare to re-bed the deck hardware on my new project boat!
This forum is awesome!