The bottom of a stanchion base is a plate that bolts through the deck. Is it invariably true that this plate has no hole in it under the sleeve for the stanchion -- that is, so that you could see out the bottom by looking down the sleeve? Such a hole would allow water to run down the inside of the stanchion to sit on the deck surface, possibly working its way into the deck. So I can see no reason for such a hole except to save stainless in the construction process. But I've seen manufacturers do so many bad things that I'm a little worried. The reason I ask is that I bought a boat last fall, and the PO has put silicone caulk on some, but not all of the stanchion bases. I presume, because of leakage. I'd like to caulk the rest and fix up his caulks, and I'd rather not tear one up to look at it.
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Stanchion Base
I had a similar proboem on my S2. Slight leaking into the quarter berth area from a couple of rear stanchions. Here's what I did to mine. I drilled a very small, ( 1/16" ) hole in the bottom of the tube, right against the base. I then removed each screw one at a time, and cauled the hole very heavily, replaced the screw and wiped off the excess. This sealed the whole mess up completely, allows all but a very minimum of water to escape and looks good.
I had a similar proboem on my S2. Slight leaking into the quarter berth area from a couple of rear stanchions. Here's what I did to mine. I drilled a very small, ( 1/16" ) hole in the bottom of the tube, right against the base. I then removed each screw one at a time, and cauled the hole very heavily, replaced the screw and wiped off the excess. This sealed the whole mess up completely, allows all but a very minimum of water to escape and looks good.
Use Butyl Tape
Whenever sealing any deck fixtures - I would recommend using Butyl Tape (available at any RV supply house) - it's a gooey tape-like product that you can use to seal almost anything. It adheres well and the seal will not break down due to vibrations and slight deck flexing. Overtime anything screwed into your deck will eventually leaking. The deck is in constant flex (ever so slight but it is) and sealant will eventually loose its watertight abilities. Butyl tape stays soft and watertight. In some cases a combination of the 2 is a good idea (i.e. silicon sealant in the screw hole and Butyl tape around the base of the stanchion). Good luck! Rob
Whenever sealing any deck fixtures - I would recommend using Butyl Tape (available at any RV supply house) - it's a gooey tape-like product that you can use to seal almost anything. It adheres well and the seal will not break down due to vibrations and slight deck flexing. Overtime anything screwed into your deck will eventually leaking. The deck is in constant flex (ever so slight but it is) and sealant will eventually loose its watertight abilities. Butyl tape stays soft and watertight. In some cases a combination of the 2 is a good idea (i.e. silicon sealant in the screw hole and Butyl tape around the base of the stanchion). Good luck! Rob
Andy, go to O'DayOwners.com
and look back to a thread "Leaking Stanchions" submitted by a 272LE owner. This thread is very detailed as to the rebedding of the stanchion. You should only seal the bolts. That way any water that gets into the stanchion can drain between the the deck and base. r.w.landau
and look back to a thread "Leaking Stanchions" submitted by a 272LE owner. This thread is very detailed as to the rebedding of the stanchion. You should only seal the bolts. That way any water that gets into the stanchion can drain between the the deck and base. r.w.landau
Thanks r.w. and all,
I've just finished rebedding all my stanchions -- using r.w.'s instructions. The original stanchions had a hole in the base plate. Two replacements had no hole. I strongly favor the latter, since you can keep water away from the bolt holes by caulking. Caulking all the way around the plates with holes is a recipe for disaster, since it holds any water in the stanchions -- as r.w. noted in his post.
I've just finished rebedding all my stanchions -- using r.w.'s instructions. The original stanchions had a hole in the base plate. Two replacements had no hole. I strongly favor the latter, since you can keep water away from the bolt holes by caulking. Caulking all the way around the plates with holes is a recipe for disaster, since it holds any water in the stanchions -- as r.w. noted in his post.
Thanks Andy, but the test
of time is what counts. I am confident in this repair but if something should happen, let me. It has worked for me so far. r.w.landau
of time is what counts. I am confident in this repair but if something should happen, let me. It has worked for me so far. r.w.landau
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