Recommendations for caulk to be used on sea hood

[jmce1587]

hi all. I need to caulk my sea hood and am looking for recommendations as to the type of caulk I should use. I assume something flexible but not sure if boat life or a dow product would be better. Thanks, Jerry

 

[Don Crowther]

I would use Dow 795 same as I used on my ports. Are you removing the seahood? Cleaning out the old will be the biggest job.

 

[jmce1587]

Hi Don. Thanks. I’ve used the Dow 795 when replacing fixed port windows. No I don’t intend to tackle the sea hood removal at this time. Saw a few posts on this website and it appears to be a major job. If/when companionway slide fails then I will pull up sea hood. Take care, Jerry

 

[njlarry]

Dow 795 would work but 795 is better for acrylic ports (don't you wish the price was 7.95). For deck stuff Boatlife or butyl tape is perfect, seals well, and easy to rebed years later.

 

[jmce1587]

I am resurrecting this old thread of mine. Last year at this time I recaulked around my sea hood and used Boatlife Life Seal, a polyurethane/silicon based sealant in white. Went on well and cured quickly. Fast forward one year and this sealant has turned grey with mildew spots (see pics). Was this not the correct sealant to use around the sea hood? Should I have used a non silicone based product and gone with Boat Life Caulk which is polysulfude based? Cure time on this is much longer. Any other manufacturers sealants/caulks or other products I should have used to avoid this in the future?

All input and comments are greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jerry

 

[thinwater]

Actually, Boat Life Seal is one of the more mildew resistant sealants out there. Dow 795 would have done better. Boat Life Caulk mildews. The other top performers would be VERY difficult to separate.

https://www.practical-sailor.com/issues/45_3/features/Caulks-Versus-Mildew_12565-1.html

The best cure for mildewed sealant is not to worry about it. Keeping it clean also helps a lot.