Best Marine Adhesives

Feb 20, 2016
153
Catalina 22 Palm Harbor
About to install a Marinco 1000 Mini Solar Vent Fan 7" Diameter into the forward hatch on my 1987 Cat 22
I have heard that 3M 5200 is best but hard to remove or clean up............
My Marina advises me to use Life Caulk.............
Locktite Brand has a Marine Adhesive
The Marinco instructions advise to use Polyurethane Adhesives.
Trying to prevent leaks and not sure what I should use as an adhesive.
 
Sep 30, 2013
3,538
1988 Catalina 22 North Florida
Absolutely never 5200 (a.k.a. Satan's Glue) for anything, ever. Sooner or later, you or a subsequent owner will curse you for using it. It is more permanent than any two things you could possibly join with it.

Butyl tape is very hard to beat for most uses above the waterline. Our Albin Vega 27's deck is sealed to her hull with butyl tape. After 42 years, that original factory seal is still 100% perfect. And still easily detachable, if for any reason the need ever arose.
 
Feb 26, 2004
22,760
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
John, consider your question: adhesive or sealant. In your application, you are looking for a sealant. Butyl tape from Maine Sail Bed it with Butyl, not from you hardware store, is recommended by those of us who have BTDT. Adhesives are a different thing altogether and rarely needed on boats.
 

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
7,999
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
I like a Polysulfide sealant (such as life caulk). Definitely not polyurethane.
 
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