OK, I KNOW it's a boat so i don't get all upset over a bit of water in it, but....it's a 23 yr. old boat and me and my boys have replaced about all the wood structures - deck, seats,trim pieces (lots of these) etc. The vinyl is still original and VG condition. Anyways, I don't want to replace it all again in 2 years so all the water leaking in and running down the side (trim) etc. is worrying me. I had my sone inside the boat when i sprayed a hose on it so I have a few specific things I know need adressing.
1. Windshield leaks at base. I see it has a gasket piece that doesn't extend the entire lengthe do i need to caulk a 1" section. The gasket is black so I'd rather use black caulk. I need a thin string of caulk to shone in, NOT 4200 or 5200 as those are not so easy to work into a shape then use! (Mostly they just stick to my hands and make a mess!). Ideas for caulk product? I'd like a clear caulk also for other areas.
2. I have "typical" bowrider covers, one cockpit another boat. Water from the windshield really can go right onto into the opening where the bow cover snaps on. Specifically where the bow cover snaps on under the windshield is down hill from the peak of the bow cover. Should I just put abucket under this area? I see no logical way to avoid water entering here other than a whole boat cover.
3. My stern blower vents - I haven't really noticed on other boats but my vents face 45 deg. upwards so any rain in that area is going to go into them! They have a flex vent tube that takes the air (and water) to the battery area so water get in there at will! This gets to the bilge OK< I guess so it's not my #1 worry, just kinda makes me wonder about the design and if there are replacement vents that keep rain out?
Thanks for any ideas! My son has volunteered to sit in the boat to keep drying it as it rains (on schools days only) but my wife is against that great idea, so we're looking for other ideas.
1. Windshield leaks at base. I see it has a gasket piece that doesn't extend the entire lengthe do i need to caulk a 1" section. The gasket is black so I'd rather use black caulk. I need a thin string of caulk to shone in, NOT 4200 or 5200 as those are not so easy to work into a shape then use! (Mostly they just stick to my hands and make a mess!). Ideas for caulk product? I'd like a clear caulk also for other areas.
2. I have "typical" bowrider covers, one cockpit another boat. Water from the windshield really can go right onto into the opening where the bow cover snaps on. Specifically where the bow cover snaps on under the windshield is down hill from the peak of the bow cover. Should I just put abucket under this area? I see no logical way to avoid water entering here other than a whole boat cover.
3. My stern blower vents - I haven't really noticed on other boats but my vents face 45 deg. upwards so any rain in that area is going to go into them! They have a flex vent tube that takes the air (and water) to the battery area so water get in there at will! This gets to the bilge OK< I guess so it's not my #1 worry, just kinda makes me wonder about the design and if there are replacement vents that keep rain out?
Thanks for any ideas! My son has volunteered to sit in the boat to keep drying it as it rains (on schools days only) but my wife is against that great idea, so we're looking for other ideas.
