Stanchion rebedding on a 27_75-84

[David Michaels]

As the subject line says, I have to rebed the stanchions on kupono. Via the archives, I've determined that Lifecaulk, 4200 or one of the good quality caulks is the way to go (thanks, Steve Dion!). What I can't find in the archives is how to rebed these particular stachions. They sit with half the base on the toerail, the other half on the deck. Is there a good website that describes this process? How do I get a neat finished appearance? Do I squish it down by tightening the bolts and then wiping/trimming the excess away? If I crank down on the toerail side will I get a good seal or will all the compound squeeze out? Do I let the compound set up a bit before reseating the stanchions? I'd like to get it right the first time.On a related topic, I have a very small leak somewhere in the forward trap hatch. I'm guessing that it might be best to remove the unit, clean everything up and rebed it, seeing as I'm doing the stanchions anyway. Is this the most common source of leaking on the forward hatch? Can I use the same product for the repair?Between Lifecaulk and 4200 (not even sure what that is) is there a preference? Maybe another, better bedding compound since the post to the archives last year?Thanks for any feedback on this project.Davids/v kupono

 

[Steve Dion]

Check out Butyl Tape.

David:The marine catalogs usually have a table in regarding which products work best for each application. Something that I have come across in the past year is butyl tape. It is usually a gray or black material that you can put under your stanchion. I believe that you can get it from a home center or a glass shop. I is worth a try. One of my fellow sailors at the marina has used it on his Cherubini 30 and it has held up well.You are correct about seating your stanchion. You will need to apply pressure to the caulking but do not tighten. Come back in 24 hours and tighten them down properly. This will let the caulking setup and form a gasket so you do not push all of the caulking out. You can use some masking tape around the area that you are going to caulk. If you are going to leave it out in the sun for several days, be sure that use that type that can be left on for a few days.As for you forward hatch, try to find you exact source of your leak before you start messing with it. Some of these where plastic and you may have a crack. I assume that this is one of trapizoid shaped units.

 

[David Michaels]

Thanks for the advice, Steve...

... I'll give it a try. 10-4 on the snug but not tight 'till setup. I'll check the big catalogs (BoatUS, West) and see what they say about the best sealants and setup times. The masking tape is a *great* idea! I never would have thought of that.I was away for a long week-end and while driving I thought about using a spray bottle to find the hatch leak, so I guess I just hadn't thought about it long enough before posting. Yah, I got the plastic trap up forward. It's a very tiny leak so you might be correct about the crack.Ah, the joys of boat ownership again! What was I thinking?!?Davids/v kupono