Best hatch lens adhesive / sealant ?

Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
Does anybody have experience with life seal?
795 is not available where I am.
It is sold in Victoria. I am not at work so cannot look up the dealer.

Cascade Aqua Tech Ltd in Burnaby sells it as well. ph 888-672-6101
They can ship it for a few dollars.
 
Jul 1, 2007
169
hunter 29.5 Nanaimo BC
Thanks for the info.
I just looked at how much I paid for the Life Seal.
$24.95 ouch.
I may have to go for a drive.
Life seal claims to be fast cure.
 
Sep 25, 2008
544
Bristol 43.3 Perth Amboy
Bomar recommends the GE product that Mainesail posted. They sell it too. I've used it. Simple.
 
Jul 1, 2007
169
hunter 29.5 Nanaimo BC
I got the 795 from Aquatec in Victoria.
$7.95 plus $15.00 shipping.
It worked great.
It has been so hot here that I had to get up at stupid o'clock to get it done before the sun got to it.
 
Jun 14, 2004
40
Hunter 376 Bay City
John,

Thanks for the comments and photos. Good idea using the suction cups and bungees.
So now the ports are adhered and sealed with only Dow 795. Correct?
 
Jun 14, 2004
40
Hunter 376 Bay City
For anyone interested, here's what I've found recently by contacting customer service reps:
1. Hunter says to use DC 795 on acrylic.
2. Acrylic rep says 3M 4000 is not compatible with acrylic.
3. Rep at 3M says 3M 4000 is OK on acrylic if use with Plastic Primer P591.
4. Dow Corning says a lot of boat and hatch companies use DC 795. Also, DC 995 can be used and is actually stronger than 795, but why go against what's most commonly used. May as well use 795.

A friend ordered a hatch repair kit from Catalina. Received two products, 3M 4000 for aluminum frame to fiberglass and DC 795 for frame to lens.

Bottom line (imho): Use DC 795 on Acrylic. Use 3M 4000 for most everything else, unless there's some reason a strong bond is not needed. Maybe for some deck fittings butyl tape is better / easier, if they are securely bolted.

The best place I found for DC 795 (for speed and price) is McMaster-Carr. I know this has been posted in other threads, so thanks to the original source.
Home Acres Building Supply (Midland, MI) is the only store I've been able to locate it in my area.
 
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
4. Dow Corning says a lot of boat and hatch companies use DC 795. Also, DC 995 can be used and is actually stronger than 795, but why go against what's most commonly used. May as well use 795.
I had to replace my leaking fixed port lights. After I tore them off, I learned that it wasn't the DC 795 that was failing - it was very, very well adhered. It was spider cracking going UNDERNEATH the 795 resulting from the fastener holes drilled into the fiberglass, and not countersunk. Boat is 29 years old.

So, yeah, does one need DC 995 for increased strength? In my experience, I'd have to say no.
 
Sep 28, 2008
922
Canadian Sailcraft CS27 Victoria B.C.
It was spider cracking going UNDERNEATH the 795 resulting from the fastener holes drilled into the fiberglass, and not countersunk. Boat is 29 years old.

So, yeah, does one need DC 995 for increased strength? In my experience, I'd have to say no.
There ideally should not be fastener holes because there should not be any fasteners. The 3M VHB tape used with 795 will be as strong without any localized stresses.