Black porthole sealant

[wdonovan]

Hi guys. I have a H310 with plexi fixed ports that have no bezels. They are just fit in recesses and sealed with black sealant. One of them leaks, due to a few small cracks in the sealant. I don't want to reglaze the port but just find a compatible sealant and touch up the 3 or 4 spots. If I have to for aesthetics I will apply sealant all the way around this port. Need help finding correct type of sealant. Existing one is black. I thought of Lifecalk but have never used it. Not sure if Lifecalk cures to a solid or stays tacky. If tacky that's no good for this project. Black RTV is an obvious simple choice but silicone has the property of being the last thing you can use as it will never let another chemical bond to it in the future. Anyone know what I should use here?

 

[kloudie1]

Dow 795 black.

 

[wdonovan]

Thank you very much.

 

[ramoore]

I can't claim to be an expert, but I've recently used Dow 795 black to rebed 6 big windows on my 44DS (they do have the aluminum frames).

While researching this, I saw several comments that because the 795 is a silicone based sealant, it is not easy to touch up. Nothing really bonds to the cured silicone. And worse, the silicone gets infused into both the window and frame material where it touched and nothing will stick to those either.

I could see where the previous owner had tried at least 3 different products to stop the leaks. Those might have worked for a while, but definitely didn't solve the problem. (Of course, my fix is only a few months old, so maybe I shouldn't be too cocky.)

Good luck with your windows!

 

[wdonovan]

I can't claim to be an expert, but I've recently used Dow 795 black to rebed 6 big windows on my 44DS (they do have the aluminum frames).

While researching this, I saw several comments that because the 795 is a silicone based sealant, it is not easy to touch up. Nothing really bonds to the cured silicone. And worse, the silicone gets infused into both the window and frame material where it touched and nothing will stick to those either.

I could see where the previous owner had tried at least 3 different products to stop the leaks. Those might have worked for a while, but definitely didn't solve the problem. (Of course, my fix is only a few months old, so maybe I shouldn't be too cocky.)

Good luck with your windows!

Oh great! Anybody want to buy a tube of 795? I specifically did not want silicone for exactly the reasons you mentioned. So I guess I'm still looking for ideas. I have a tube of old fashioned rubber type weatherstrip cement coming that is def not a silicone product. May try sealing the cracks with that for now.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Industry wide used Dow 795 as the port or window sealant. Former Hunter dealer.

 

[jssailem]

I don't want to reglaze the port but just find a compatible sealant and touch up the 3 or 4 spots

Many a sailor said, "I just want to touch up the sealant". It is a weak bandaid. If you have just 3 or 4 spots, those are the obvious ones that have failed. The rest are waiting of you to "Touch them Up". As soon as you get a little goo down and sit back to admire your work, a few of the others will open up. You will fix those buggers all season. Apply gobs of goo, and still the windows will leak.

You need to bite the bullet. The window seals are failing. If you want to fix the problem you need to replace the seals. Do not feel bad about this. The seals have provided you protection from the elements for as long as they can. Mother Nature with her UV rays and changes in air pressure are formidable adversaries. They are just bigger and stronger than any man made sealant. Eventually the sealant gives up the fight.

That is when you as a boater have to send in reinforcements to protect your boat. They need to rebuild the ramparts during a lull in the fight. That way MN has to start all over again with her siege.

We really have no understanding as to why she wants to put water inside our boats. Just her thing.