Seal companionway tracks to FG and gel coat.

[zz4gta]

I need to find something that'll bond aluminum to gelcoat or fg so I can attach some C channel aluminum to my companionway opening. They will hold the hatch boards in place. I currently have teak trim and want to do away with it. They have through bolts holding them in now and it's not very secure or waterproof.

Will the standby 4200 work for this? Must be white or off white in color. I guess I could also epoxy them in place and then paint. Either option would be fine, but I'd like to do away with the bolts and nuts.

[sailingdog]

ZZ—

Through bolting them with the proper bedding compound would make them far more secure than using just a sealant alone, even 5200 wouldn't be as secure as having them through-bolted with a proper backing plate.

If you're worried about someone unscrewing the bolts... put a second locking nut on the inside...and that should prevent them from being unscrewed without access to the interior of the boat.

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

ZZ—

Through bolting them with the proper bedding compound would make them far more secure than using just a sealant alone, even 5200 wouldn't be as secure as having them through-bolted with a proper backing plate.

If you're worried about someone unscrewing the bolts... put a second locking nut on the inside...and that should prevent them from being unscrewed without access to the interior of the boat.

I'm not worried someone would unscrew them, if someone wants to get into a boat, they will.

I wanted a cleaner look that offers more resistance to water intrusion, and no more varnish or teak oil. The trim peices that are there now let in a lot of water, so redoing the hatch boards w/ acrylic and changing the tracks from 2 peice to a one peice C section track would help that. The track is only wide enough to fit the new boards in, no room for the heads of screws. The aluminum is also thin, so countersinking wouldn't leave much material for strength.

I'll try to get some pics this weekend.

[tager]

I'm sure 5200 would work pretty well. Through bolts would help.

[sailingdog]

The problem with 5200 is future maintenance. If the rails get damaged at any point in the future, replacing them is going to be a PITA.

Going with a different channel or track might be a better idea.

[Freesail99]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

ZZ—

Through bolting them with the proper bedding compound would make them far more secure than using just a sealant alone, even 5200 wouldn't be as secure as having them through-bolted with a proper backing plate.

If you're worried about someone unscrewing the bolts... put a second locking nut on the inside...and that should prevent them from being unscrewed without access to the interior of the boat.

If I was bolting or screwing the C channel to the boat it would be on the inside of the channel and when the boards were in place, the bolts or screws would be covered by the boards.