Hull deck joint problem

[BahrainHobie]

Hi from sunny Bahrain!
I have just started to rebuild an old Skipper 17 and have hit a problem. The hull deck joint is in a bad way, most of the fasteners have corroded away and the filler/adhesive is falling out from the edge of the joint. I can still see more filler/adhesive further up in the joint but I need to fill the void at the edge to make it stronger and water tight. Anyone know what filler/adhesive to use? I think something in a cartridge would be the easiest to use? Cheers.

 

[oldharry]

Had a similar porblem on an 18footer a few years back. Much depends how the hull deck join is made. If the deck moulding overlaps the hull moulding, or there is a 'top hat arrangement where the top mould slots over the hull, then repairs are pretty simple. Remove any rubbing strake or rubber, clean out the void and remove as many of the old corroded fastenings as you can. Then either fill the void with Sikaflex type sealant, then insert new fastenings, so that the mouldings are pulled down into the sikaflex to make a good secure seal. Or do it the other way round, fasten then seal, but it will be more difficult to get the sealant in.

The Sikaflex when set will strengthen the joint, but dont rely on it by itself to hold everything together - you need the metal fastenings as well.

Mine, 6 years on is as good as the day I did it.

 

[oldharry]

Had a similar porblem on an 18footer a few years back. Much depends how the hull deck join is made. If the deck moulding overlaps the hull moulding, or there is a 'top hat arrangement where the top mould slots over the hull, then repairs are pretty simple. Remove any rubbing strake or rubber, clean out the void and remove as many of the old corroded fastenings as you can. Then either fill the void with Sikaflex type sealant, then insert new fastenings, so that the mouldings are pulled down into the sikaflex to make a good secure seal. Or do it the other way round, fasten then seal, but it will be more difficult to get the sealant in.

The Sikaflex when set will strengthen the joint, but dont rely on it by itself to hold everything together - you need the metal fastenings as well.

Mine, 6 years on is as good as the day I did it.

For a small boat like that building grade Polysulphide is probably just as good and half the cost. I know someone who rebedded bilge keels very succesfully some years ago using builders grade, with no apparent problems after 5 years.

 

[Salty John]

3M 5200 is the stuff. A very strong adhesive sealant that is used for this purpose on many production boats. I believe Sikaflex 291 is similar but I have no experience with it.

 

[BahrainHobie]

Thanks for the info, I think I will try the Sikaflex as we have an agent here in Bahrain. The big problem over here is availability, a lot of stuff is not available and mail order is expensive. I might end up just using the standard Sikaflex used for car windscreens. Cheers.