Hi Maine Sail,
Thanks for your in depth instructions on bedding with Butyl tape. I am about to begin re-bedding some of my deck hardware, and I came across a question. One piece of deck hardware that seems to be leaking the most on my 1981 Catalina 30 is the starboard Genoa track. Here's my question: If I am correct in understanding your procedure, I would need to have all of the screws that hold down the track inserted through the track before they go into the deck. That means the whole piece would have to be put down as one, getting all of those screws into their respective holes at one time. How am I supposed to do that? Would it be sufficient to form the Butyl cone around the threads and insert the screws once the track is laid down?
Well I guess that's two questions, but who's counting? Any advice you can provide will be greatly appreciated!
John
If you want to use butyl this is at least a two person job and requires top and bottom cones plus strips of butyl between bolts. There are no short cuts with genny tracks/butyl and it does get dropped in as one unit.
*Bevel / countersink the deck holes slightly.
*Wrap the bolt heads then press each one into the cleaned track.
*Next wrap each bolt under the track and knead the butyl cone into the bolt threads.
*Now place butyl on the underside of the track between butyl cones on each bolt
*Drop the track, with bolts, into place and so the bolts are in each hole (cleaned
& prepped of course). This may require a third person if the track has lost pre-bend..
*Place a 3' long board over the track and walk back and forth, then move it up
the track and repeat. This compresses the butyl and also keeps the bolts from
popping up.
*Get a partner to hold the screws with a screw driver and you go below and
slowly tighten the nuts. (multiple events)
*Don't over tighten and do allow the butyl to "oooze out" it may take four or
five small tightening events . Be patient...