Leaky toerails

[TiggerToo]

Tigger's toerails have started leaking. I am pretty sure this is through the holes where the screws fix the toerail to the deck. It has been suggested that this might be prvented by removing the screws, filling the hole with silicon (NOT Sikaflex) screwing down lightly and then tightening when the silicon has cured. What do you think of this?

What about looking for some sort of "washer" the put between the screws and the toerail (the whole system would benefit from electrolytic isolation anyhow).

 

[milfordman]

Is your toe rail an alluminium extrusion fixed with machine screws from above with nuts inside, or wood with wood screws screwed up from below.

 

[TiggerToo]

self tapping screws (no bolts) from above

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day Tiggertoo,

Water leaking thru' Tigger's toe rail is not just an inconvenience, she may well be trying to tell you she has a serious problem.

Water leaking thru' toe rails, stanchions, sail tracks or fittings on the side deck can lead to major problems due to the fact that most sailing vessels have a strip of ply built into the side deck to stiffen it.

Water and ply do not mix well at all and replacing it is not a job you will do in a weekend, nor will it be a low cost item.

You need to do a proper investigation, by locating the actual leak, removing the crews or bolts and checking the ply inside, removing all moisture and soft material then sealing with an epoxy resin.

If it is under the toe rail, it would be best to remove the rail first and drill out the existing holes at least 10mm larger than the existing ones, then after checking the ply is solid all around the hole, fill with a mixture of epoxy resin and Micro fibres, not Micro balloons.

The Micro fibres will form a very strong bond to the ply and provide a solid mass to fix the screws, though I would prefer bolts and nuts with backings, just add a little masking tape on the underside after drilling to hold it in place;add the tape 'after' you have pushed the mix through the holes, this ensures no air voids, just remove the worm head with a scraper and add the tape for a smooth finish. You can drill the micro fibre material to suit the self tappers, the hole should be the size of the shank not the threads.

I hope this helps, good luck.

Andavagoodweekend......