How to stop leaks through chain plates, stancion bases etc?

Captain Crisp

Captain Crisp

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Hi all,
Do I just unscrew and chuck in some sealant?
I think there's quite a bit of water seeping in via my various deck fittings...
Mast is off at the moment.
Thanks,
Crisp
 
Generally yes, ensure a good sealant layer between the fitting and deck. But the devil is in the detail: there are many different designs that may require different approaches. People also have many different suggestions as to the optimum sealant. Perhaps you can provide photos or make of boat for more specific advice.
 
If water is seeping then remove the hardware, clean, dry the deck area and inspect inside the holes for any issues with balsa core, if there is a core. For example, I found one of my chain plates, rod style, about 2" OD, had made the deck hole oval, so that had to be repaired first. There are sealants that are adhesive sealants and sealants that just seal. I would recommend that you use a sealing only product and not an adhesive e.g. a Polysulfide type sealant (or bedding compound as it is also known). Don't use a silicon sealant.

Once both the hardware and deck area are cleaned and degreased, apply masking tape around the deck fitting footprint. I prefer to apply the sealant to the base of the fitting and place the fitting onto the deck, insert the bolts and smear some sealant around the base of the heads, or into the counter sunk area. Tighten up the fitting until the sealant oozes out the side of the base (onto the tape). Do not fully tighten. Let the sealant cure until it is firm, then tighten down fully.

There is an alternative method that is supposed to be more secure, using butyl tape. I have used this method on my spray hood frame bases and it works very well. Details can be found on the Marine How To web page, link here Rebedding Deck Hardware With Bed-It Butyl Tape - Marine How To

Edit: YouTube video removed as it did not show Marine How To's method properly.

It is worth taking the time to do properly as temporary repairs such as Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure can work, but I found only as a temporary solution. Also be wary of just squeezing sealant under the fitting and hoping for the best, likely that will not work, or only temporary at best.

Also search on YouTube, some great videos that can show and guide you what to do.

All the best with your repairs.
 
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Thanks for this advice! Boat is 50 Yr old Twister with GRP deck. No idea when the fittings were last removed or checked...
Will get to work...
 
Before you disturb elderly and likely well stuck fittings I would first try to seal with Captain Tolley's. Simply drip the fluid around the fitting each time you visit the boat, and wipe away any excess. Eventually the gap fills with the stuff and the leak is eliminated. Simple and more often than not effective.
 
superheat6k said:
Before you disturb elderly and likely well stuck fittings I would first try to seal with Captain Tolley's. Simply drip the fluid around the fitting each time you visit the boat, and wipe away any excess. Eventually the gap fills with the stuff and the leak is eliminated. Simple and more often than not effective.
Click to expand...

This sounds like less of a palaver... thanks!
 
While Captain Tolleys may well cure slight leaks the real problem is that leaky chainplates in particular U bolt types like I think yours are can lead to corrosion of the fastenings. The only proper thing to do after 50 years is to take them apart. I would imagine this is a well trod path for Twisters and expect the owners association will have information on how to do it and what to look out for. likewise with stanchion bases. They are probably aluminium castings with stainless fastenings which is a recipe for corrosion where the fastenings go through the deck.
 
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superheat6k said:
Before you disturb elderly and likely well stuck fittings I would first try to seal with Captain Tolley's. Simply drip the fluid around the fitting each time you visit the boat, and wipe away any excess. Eventually the gap fills with the stuff and the leak is eliminated. Simple and more often than not effective.
Click to expand...
I have only ever found captain tolley's a short term fix as it sets hard so the slightest movement cracks the seal.
 
The forum giveth, the forum taketh away...
Many thanks all.
I think I'll initiate a rolling programme of removal and investigation. Meanwhile, I'll use Captain Tolley for the fittings I haven't got time to do...
Thanks,
Crisp
 
Had leaks on the Trapper, that had rotted the bulkhead that the plates were bolted to. So, major stuff on the bulkhead . Used Sika 11FC to seal the deck/ chainplate joint after.
 
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