Leaking top rail into cabin...

krc · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 2:28 pm Post subject: Leaking top rail into cabin...

Hey - I installed radar a few months back and had to remove the top shelf that sits right below the roof on the forward part of the cabin. That shelf attaches into the rail on the roof. The vhf sits there and is a convenient place for charts, etc...

Anyway - I am guessing that I should have caulked/resealed between the rail (on the roof) and the roof. I want to loosen the bolts that hold the rail and then caulk but what is the best caulking to use for this application?
Thx

C-Wolfe · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 3:25 pm Post subject:

I am a big fan of butyl tape. It does not have any real bounding property, but it is extremely flexible and non drying- will allow movement without breaking the seal and hardware can be retight without replacing sealant, even quite some time after install.
It is also very low cost and long shelf life.

note: not to be use under waterline. will be dissolved by most solvent.

ssobol · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 8:22 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 11:56 pm Post subject:

I use 3M 4000. The butyl tape should be used in an application where you can tighten the bolts regularly. I realize that there was a source of good Butyl tape thru "how To Marine". Although Rob is back and writing articles, a stroke about a year ago dictated that he close the on line store. He was a great source of good 'butyl tape".
Butyl Tape, Bed it. Apparently currently "out of stock".

tsturm

starcrafttom · Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2022 6:34 pm Post subject:

I would start with checking the core in thr ceiling and see if you need to under cut the glass and back fill first