I'm chasing down a longstanding leak, and believe it could be coming from the genoa track, so I'm going to remove & rebed it. I've been using butyl tape for bedding for the past couple of years, but am wondering if it can be used for this. Tracks on most boats have nuts underneath, so the bolts are seated after being taped, and and tightening the nut from underneath creates a longlasting seal.
Hunter tracks of this era (1988-1992, maybe always) use machine screws that go into an embedded aluminum plate. The screws must be turned to tighten the track to the deck, which will break the butyl seal.
I'm going to use butyl under the entire track, and countersink the holes, filling the void with butyl. But what about the heads of the fasteners? What can be used to get a waterproof seal around the head of the screw when it has to be turned to tighten it? LifeCalk? 3M4200? Smear on the upper threads?
Hunter tracks of this era (1988-1992, maybe always) use machine screws that go into an embedded aluminum plate. The screws must be turned to tighten the track to the deck, which will break the butyl seal.
I'm going to use butyl under the entire track, and countersink the holes, filling the void with butyl. But what about the heads of the fasteners? What can be used to get a waterproof seal around the head of the screw when it has to be turned to tighten it? LifeCalk? 3M4200? Smear on the upper threads?