Trim rings on port holes

[jorgefife]

On my Hunter 33, the trim rings are coming off and I want to glue them down
What should I use?
Should I perhaps screw them down?
I see some boats had screws, but mine has rings

 

[Steve Dion]

Use Dow795.

 

[Paul F]

You are right, mine are screwed down. When replacing them I have used silicone to seal the opening gap around the port beneath the ring.

 

[Ed Schenck]

Like Paul's my original Gray trim rings were secured with screws. Those that were not screwed just stuck to the original silicone caulk I think. If they are old and tend not to lay flat they might need six screws, each corner and long centers. Mine had many more than that.

 

[sandpiper10471]

My experiences: Lots of screws = lots of possible leaks. If screw holes are countersunk for bevelled screws, the ring is weakened and splits readily if screws are slightly overtightened. I glued my new ones on with Lifecalk - or maybe it was Lifeseal (It was the one containing silicone) - and they seem to be holding. Needed to clamp them with large C-clamps.

Best tool for cutting old ones off is a really thin, sharpened 1"scraper or a Fein multi-tool with scraper blade. The chances are some rings are going to break anyway as they become very brittle with UV. I think painting them should improve longevity.

 

[Steve Dion]

Sandpiper:

"improved longevity"? How long do you want this stuff to last? These boats are about 30 years old. Most other boats have sunk by now. <g>