Help with Damaging Leak

[rons boat]

My 23 Foot compac started leaking in the cocpit area down below through several bolt heads, side pockets, and maybe a few instruments. I am using marine silicone between showers but it just keeps on raining. I am not sure why the flood all of a sudden but need advice on what best to use to seal. My beautiful original upholstery has been removed and I hope to save though it may be too late on some of that. Some of the furniture has turned black in spots, but I can save most of that. I hope to stop this all of a sudden situation. Is there something better than marine silicone?

 

[rons boat]

Re: Help with Damaging Leak

Haven,t been checking this forum lately. Anybody sailing a Com-Pac?

 

[flashback]

Re: Help with Damaging Leak

Ron, in most all deck leaks, you need to remove the bolt, stanchion, instruments, etc,,, completely and then bed them in a good sealant.....most boats from the factory are not sealed well.......they just don't take the time.........

 

[rons boat]

Re: Help with Damaging Leak

Thanks Flashback.

 

[Columbia]

Re: Help with Damaging Leak

If what you're looking for is temporary respite during the rains, you have to use a sealant designed to go onto wet areas. Silicone is NOT that sealant. However, once silicone is applied it makes it much harder for other sealants to adhere. However, I recommend you go to the local lumber yard and see if they have a sealant with a silicone element that is labeled to apply wet or dry, I saw one yesterday so labeled as I was buying caulk for my garden shed project. When the rains cease, you must remove the offending bolts and what they bolt through, properly clean the surfaces, and rebed. I don't recommend a silicone product. Use a marine caulk properly formulated for that application. You don't want a polyurethane adhesive sealant, just a good marine caulk. The silicone has to be removed cleanly before you recaulk.