Sealing The Deck Core From Moisture (how to)

[Maine Sail]

Hi All,

For years I have been trying to describe, as have others, in words, how to "pot" or fill deck hardware penetrations with thickened epoxy to seal the decks core from further moisture damage.

I have also been trying to describe why a slight bevel to each hole that penetrates the deck is a good idea. Sometimes folks understand it via words, and sometimes they don't.

I have had this article on my mind for years and finally over the last month or so had the chance to make it all happen with some late nights in the barn.

As far as I know this is the only article of it's type that uses deck lamination cut-a-way samples to show what goes on inside the deck when you "pot" with epoxy and countersink the bolt holes..

I hope this helps make some sense of something that really isn't all that difficult to tackle just difficult to describe. There are many ways to do this but after filling literally hundreds upon hundreds of deck penetrations I have found this method to be the easiest..

If you see any typos, and I'm sure you will, please let me know and I'll fix them as soon as I can. I'm not a writer,:doh: but do have a lot of tricks & techniques I've learned over my years of boating that I like to share with fellow boaters. Some of these I feel can best be illustrated through pictures, with the help of some words of course..

Click this to read it:
Sealing Deck Penetrations To Prevent Core Rot (LINK)



And some of the photos from the article;

[bljones]

Wow! Nice job! I am going to be rebedding hardware in the spring, and this is exactly what I needed.

Thanks.

[sailingdog]

Thanks Maine Sail...thought you had forgot about Sailnet...

[RhodesSwiftsure]

Wow, great writeup. Only questions I have concern Butyl Tape. Are all types the same (automotive, marine)? Are there better and worse brands? Good source? Seems like a heck of a sealant.

[xort]

excellent work for sure; thanks

[jrd22]

Maine- another great job! This is going to save a lot of people a bunch of time, money, and frustration. I potted and rebedded all of our deck hardware this year, wish I had known about the Dremel, I used allen wrenches that I cut off the short end to the correct length and used them in a drill. Worked OK for balsa but not plywood. I had read one of your earlier posts about potting which was invaluable and learned the rest "on the job".

Good job, John

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Thanks Maine Sail...thought you had forgot about Sailnet...

I actually thought I had posted it here and when I went to reference it for the genny track thread realized I had not..

Originally Posted by RhodesSwiftsure

Wow, great writeup. Only questions I have concern Butyl Tape. Are all types the same (automotive, marine)? Are there better and worse brands? Good source? Seems like a heck of a sealant.

Generally Ace, Lowe's, Home Depot etc. do not carry glazing quality butyl tape, at least in the North East, but they do sometimes carry butyl foam weather strip which is NOT the same as the rubbery silly putty like stuff and should not be used.

For butyl tape you'll usually need to order it online from an RV dealer or visit your local RV dealer and ask for it. DO NOT use black! Gray or off white in flat versions, not round, work best..

Here's a source:

RV Wholesalers - Off White Butyl Tape



This is the stuff I use:

[sailingdog]

Most window replacement/repair shops will have it and sell it.

[Skipaway]

Thank you, again, Main Sail.

FWIW, I found a cream color butyl caulking at HomeDepot. Used it again last week, this time for chain plate leaks.

[Maine Sail]

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Thank you, again, Main Sail.

FWIW, I found a cream color butyl caulking at HomeDepot. Used it again last week, this time for chain plate leaks.

I wish Home Depot sold it up here!!