Caulk For Leak Repair On Wet Surface

[BrianW]

I have several small leaks/seepages in my Hunter 26. Currently, the boat is in the water. Are there any caulks or sealants that can be applied to stainless steel and fiberglass to repair the leaks/seeps while the surfaces are still wet or damp? For a couple of the places, I will eventually need to remove the sealant later for periodic preventive maintenance or for a more permanent repair. Thanks, BrianW

 

[Barnacle Bill]

A better explanation of the the location and nature of the leaks, etc. would be helpful, but one suggestion might be use Boat Life's Polysulfide Life Calk. It is designed to be submerged as soon as it is applied and is recommended for underwater use such as sea cocks. This of course is a gasket type application where you have a mushroom head holding the caulk in place. The trouble with wet is it is hard to get something to adhere to it - even a sticky item like a polysulfide caulk. Again, I don't know exactly where the leaks are, but your boat is small enough to pull and dry out and repair and then go sailing.

 

[Joe2954]

I have several small leaks/seepages in my Hunter 26. Currently, the boat is in the water. Are there any caulks or sealants that can be applied to stainless steel and fiberglass to repair the leaks/seeps while the surfaces are still wet or damp? For a couple of the places, I will eventually need to remove the sealant later for periodic preventive maintenance or for a more permanent repair. Thanks, BrianW

I keep some rope caulk (finger caulk) on the boat for quick sealing. It doesn't stick to anything very well but does allow you to temporarily plug holes or seal something off (limber holes etc when cleaning). It peals back off and cleans up with a paper towel. You might need to wipe the surface off with alcohol to clean up any residue before applying something more permanent.
If you do use Life Caulk, WD-40 works well to remove it. Sika makes a lot of marine specific products and has a nice application guide on their site. I've only used their 295 product for sealing around a panorama window but we did use their product for sealing bolts etc on fiberglass nacelle parts on wind turbines.

 

[CalebD]

Butyl tape will work well for this and is easy to clean up and apply: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape

 

[kendall]

Try seal all, comes in a yellow tube with red lettering, it sticks to just about anything.

It dries hard, so it tends to crack on flexible things like hoses, and is thin so it doesn't bridge gaps, But if you use a patch it works well.

surfaces don't have to be clean and dry, clean but damp is fine, whether it's damp with oil/gas or water doesn't seem to matter.

I've patched many radiators, fuel tanks and oil pans with it when I got stupid off road and broke something.