sealing saloon lockers

[Ric]

The bilge on my boat is fairly shallow so when heeled over bilge water runs across the boat into the saloon lockers. The point of entry is a hole about three fingers thick through which a bundle of cables and pipes runs (water system, sounder-cables, etc etc). Any suggestions on how to seal this? Sikaflex is not really suitable here as it will be difficult to work it into the spaces between all the cables and pipes etc. Would that two-pack foam be a possible solution?

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[dog]

Any way of cutting a hole higher up, and re-routing the services through that? Then just fill in the existing hole. I think expanding foam absorbs water- so may not be suitable for regularly being immersed.


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[floatything]

Hi Rick, I know you reckon Sickaflex isn't suitable - but that would be the solution I'd still recommend - I've just done a similar job on my Landrover - sealing a large hole in the bulkhead where cables pass through. I needed it to be totally sealed to stop engine fumes coming through. The technique I used was to get a big blob on my fingers and really work it in well around the cables (don't know what health and safety would say about that!). Once the small gaps were filled I then used the Sicka straight from the tube to fill the rest.

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[oldsaltoz]

G'day Ric,

Sika will solve the problem, the trick is to mask the outside with tape first, pull or push the cable so you can spread them a little, add the Sika and pull or push back into the hole, this will squeeze the cables back together, use some very soapy water to smooth it and clean up with a little acetone and lots of clean rags, then remove the masking tape.

Hope this helps.



<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.

 

[MIKE_MCKIE]

I would use expanding foam. RS Components sell a variety of different types, some of the waterproof & cost about £7.5 a can, which will be more than sufficient for what you want. I have used on various similar jobs & very satisfied.
Usual disclaimer I don't worK for RS ( some say I don't work at all!!)
Hope it works for you.
Mike

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[Gordonmc]

Remember if you seal the hole any water that finds itself in the locker from the top will stay there. It might be more prudent to reduce the amount of water in the bilges.

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