Randy Rutledge
Sustaining Member
Hanktoo,
I like the way you think. I am revising my three page to-do list to read as yours.
I like the way you think. I am revising my three page to-do list to read as yours.
Butyl tape is fine. Buy it from Compass Marine (Maine Sail), rather than WM or an RV shop. (I had to throw my WM butyl away as it became little more than goo.)
But I use butyl tape only for rebedding fittings. I find caulk much better for portlights, as it fills gaps, is easy to clean up (painter's tape on the exterior hull), and doesn't ooze over time. A simple polysulfide like Life-Calk is a weak adhesive and no trouble to get off the next year.
In general, one size doesn't fit all for our various boat jobs involving metals, fiberglass, acrylic and glass.
i wondered if the butyl tape from compass or sailrite was different than the regular type I bought on amazon. i did notice mine turned to sidewalk chewing gum as soon as it got warm.