Bedding coachroof slide rails

[Northstar1014]

Hello all,
This spring I removed the teak companionway / coachroof slides from my Cape Dory 27 to have them remade. The originals were screwed and bedded with what looked like factory brown polysulfide (fairly easy to remove). I am going to re-attach them (new ones are Ipe) and would like to use Butyl Tape (I have the Bed-It product from MaineSail).

Should I cover the entire underside of the slides with butyl tape, or just where the screws are? The slides are about 2 inches wide by 6 feet long. So doing doing the entire underside will take a lot of butyl, but I have enough if that is advisable. Alternatively, let me know if you would use a polysulfide instead of the butyl.

Thanks!
Ted

 

[py26129]

Ted
For what it's worth, I redid the slides on my boat last year and used Maine Sail's butyl tape on the whole length of the slides.
To my thinking, that approach eliminates water wicking under the slides when things get wet.
Matt

 

[jssailem]

Ted... Matt's idea of the Whole Slide makes sense on the surface. But the issue is trapped water. Unless the seal is perfect and stays perfect the entire time you own the boat, you are going to get water trapped between the wood, fiberglass, and butyl tape. A perfect place for mold/mildew/rot to find a home.

I prefer to seal the holes. Snug the slides down to the deck and go to sea. Water that finds it's way under the slides will find it's way out onto a impervious deck of fiberglass and then back to the sea. I just do not want the water finding it's way down the hole and into the spaces beneath the fiberglass skin.

 

[rgranger]

If you have not already had them made... have you considered Trex like products or the more pricey plasteak ? No rot issues ever, no staining ever and then running the length with butyl would be my suggestion.

 

[Northstar1014]

Thanks all -- I already have the new rails and they are wood (Ipe).
John and Matt, you both bring up valid logic, so im not sure which is best. I will give it some more thought.

 

[py26129]

It figures, you get two replies and two different opinions

 

[Northstar1014]

I know --- Since it involves Butyl Tape, I am hoping MaineSail will chime in and break the tie

 

[Brian S]

I once asked MaineSail if you can use Bed-it butyl tape with screwed down wood, such as (in my case) teak toe rails. He said that you can, no problem, but that you should make the cone around the fastener longer and more gradually tapered before you screw the fastener in. Of course, that does not answer the question should you just use tape at the hole/fastener, or along the entire length of the slider....

 

[JRT]

I'm getting ready for toe rail install also @Maine Sail feedback would be helpful when we have to screw the wood down vs bolted with backing plates.

 

[Northstar1014]

For what its worth, I ended up doing Butyl Tape along the entire bottom of the rails, plus additional tape in a cone under the bolt heads.

 

[rgranger]

I think if the bedding is matted well, that will be a good & long-lasting upgrade.