Deck to cabin seal

[pcatterall]

Just entering a new phase in the (continuous) cycle of finding and fixing leaks.
My decks of my circa 1975 Colvic Atlanta are teak on ply and the cabin/wheelhouse sides are ply. I believe that one source of drips is in the seal betwean the cabin sides and the deck.
The current 'seal' is a wooden beading strip bedded on old sealent.
This has been leaking resulting in debonding of the ply on the cabin sides and (I think) some of the drips getting into the boat.
I propose to remake this seal when we have some good weather.
I am considering just using a sealant bead around this join rather than sealent and wooden beading.
My view is that modern sealants will be up to the job and that the wooden strip is just a complication and more screwholes.
What do the experts think??

 

[Wansworth]

I would agree with that, as with a quarter round beading there are two joints to cover,I would imagine a decent bead of sealer on IOO% DRY WOOD SURFACE ok.Dont foget one of the joys of a wooden boat are the leaks!

 

[pcatterall]

Thanks Mogy.
Problem with the quarter round stuff is that it needs shaving a bit as the cabin sides are not at 90 degrees. I can buy the stuff with the bck angle planned off but it is still a fiddle!!
Yes dry wood is the key good weather and a warm up with the blow torch I think.....Just check my fire insurance first!!

 

[pyrojames]

I had a similar leak between the sheathed plywood deck over the cabin top and the cabin sides.

I wouldn't bother with the quarter round, but cut out a groove along the cabinside, at least down to the surface of the ply, and not more than 4 mm wide. Mix up some epoxy and dilute about 2:1 with acetone, until it has the consistancy of water. Paint this into the joint until it stops penetrating the timber. You shouldn't let it actually fill the joint, as it should be acting as a surface preperation for the timber rather than a filler. Allow this to set, and then fill and seal the joint with a urethane sealant. I did this on DW 7 years ago and haven't had a problem with it since.

 

[Boatmik]

I don't know the boat type.

If deck and cabinside are plywood you could run an epoxy fillet along the join. Google epoxy fillet method.

Alternatively you could use a timber moulding again, but glue it down in epoxy. Give it three coats of epoxy before painting it to prevent water getting into it and you have done a permanent job.

If decks are laid timber use a flexible sealant.

Diluting epoxy with acetone gives you little more protection than using paint.

See
this link on thinned epoxy

Best Regards
Michael Storer