Hardware bedding, factory rubber gasket.

[LoveTwoSail]

In removing several deck hardware items from the boat to seal for leaks, I have found a piece of rubber gasket under the hardware which the factory used in place of bedding compound. So far, each piece has sustained enough damage that it is difficult to reuse for a good seal.

Does anyone know what this is called, and where it can be purchased(if available)?

 

[Brian S]

Just don't even bother.

What you want is MaineSail's Bed-it Butyl tape. Instructions on how to bed fittings is first, and at the end there's a link you can buy it from him: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/rebedding_hardware&page=1

Oh, well, here's the direct link to buy it: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape

Oh, and since you're going to have fittings off, and O'days are balsa cored, here's the proper way to seal up the deck core to prevent rot BEFORE you bed fittings with butyl tape: http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/sealing_the_deck

 

[Rocket1]

Ditto what Brian said....


Re-bedded everything on our 340 - and not a drip of water anywhere since.

Wouldn't even think of using anything else.

 

[GregDel]

access

Yes the tape works great but most of the hardware is next to impossible to get to unless someone has a special trick. If so I would love to hear about it.
Greg

 

[jfschena]

I used butyl tape from an auto supply store to rebed the pintles after a recent rudder rebuild. It comes in any color you want as long as it's black there is a neat trick to picking up the excess after it squeezes out. The above link provides the details. It's just a few dollars cheaper from an auto parts store. I think I paid $15. Black tape on a white boat can be frustrating at first. However, with some practice it can be mastered. I did spring for the white stuff from http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape today as I'm thinking to whole boat will need it eventually and it would be a much neater job. Thanks Joe

 

[Brian S]

I recommend not buying butyl tape from an auto store, or Home Depot, or wherever. Maine Sail says he has tested every type of butyl tape he can get his hands on, and none are the right consistency for marine bedding. Some may work, but definitely not all. That's why he has his Bed-it tape manufactured to his specifications.

I swear I remember my Grandfather having some grey butyl tape when I was a kid. He must have had it from way back when it was far more commonly used on boats. I have no idea where it went. Though I did use all of his flat waxed whipping twine to lash the frame of my latest skin-on-frame kayak frame build.

 

[Ward H]

I still have a hunk of plumbing putty which looks just like the butyl tape sold by Maine Sail.
Will it work? Might! Might is not good enough for me so I did and would suggest going with the butyl tape sold by Maine Sail and recommended by more on this site than any other bedding product.