Adhesive for rubber boot around saildrive?

D

Dalliance

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 Jul 2005
Messages
246
Location
East Coast
Visit site
I've just had the boat lifted for the winter and discovered that the rubber "boot" (flange?) at the top of the saildrive which was glued to the bottom of the hull and presumably made a flexible/watertight seal has become partially detached. How should I re-fix it? I guess one of the Sikaflex products should do it but which one?
Any suggestions?
Christmas greetings to all fellow forumites /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
M
 
There was a thread about this recently. I (and I think several others) have used plain old Evostik quite successfully.
By the way this seal is not watertight. It's only there to smooth the flow of water.
 
I agree Evostick. But make sure both surfaces are clean. Its not good enough to just squirt a tube of the stuff on as it is. Take the rubber gaiter off, clean all the old glue off, same with the hull, you should clean it with wet and dry down to clean fresh gel coat. The rubber should be clean and rough with a matt finish.

Then follow the application instructions on the tin to the letter.

So better hope SWMBO buys you a tin of Evostick for Christmas then! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I have done this a couple of times. Re glueing old ones doesnt seem to work very well it is difficult to get a good seal.. It is cruical to get both sides clean from old glue etc and dry.

If you put a new one on - sand the new rubber to take the shine off and roughen it up a bit (Volvo engineer told me to do this and fitting a new one worked perfectly.
 
Sikaflex 291 is recommended. In fact a lot of the mastic-type glues will do the job. Try this one

Now can someone tell me how to stop the rubber getting coated in barnacles??
 
Evostick is the stuff - and yes, I'm glad this came up 'cos I had forgotten about scuffing up the rubber and I've got mine to do soon.
 
Thanks to one and all for the advice and the seam roller is a particularly good tip (have to get permission from SWMBO since she's the only one who hangs paper in our house). I just hope it warms up enough between now and re-launch to get the glue to go-off!
 
When I fitted mine they came with Bostick contact adhesive. After abrading the rubber and hull it is advisable to wipe over with panel wipe or accetone to get rid of the loose particles before glueing. I used a small ribbed roller, used to compact fibreglass, paying special attention to the edges to ensure a good bond.
 
"Now can someone tell me how to stop the rubber getting coated in barnacles?? "

Antifoul it, it works for me
 
EVO-STIK is the only thing to be used for this. Clean and degrease both surfaces, and buff up the old rubber with 120 grit sand paper or one of those flap disks. Follow instructions on tin but make sure after application of adhesive the glue is touch dry before offering into place.....this is the tricky bit as you will only get one chance at it.

I did my last one 6 years ago and is still well stuck.

Paul.
 
[ QUOTE ]
"Now can someone tell me how to stop the rubber getting coated in barnacles?? "

Antifoul it, it works for me

[/ QUOTE ]

I use "Trilux" on the saildrive leg and rubber gaiter. It works fine and growth never a problem......this is the only type you should use on the leg and within 300mm of the leg due to corrosion problems with other types of antifoul and the alloy leg.

Paul
 
Many suggestions above for various glues, no doubt all will work ok provided your preparation work is very diligent!!!

One other tip - when I did ours I ran a bead of sikaflex around the edge of the rubber after the main glue had set, this was smoothed off with a rubber gloved finger to fair the join between rubber and hull. This all but eliminates any edges that can be caught by the water flow and hence helps to prevent the rubber starting to peel away again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top