The right goop?

[keelbolts]

I need to run a bead of some kind of goop down a seam where two fiberglass panels meet on a cabin top. What's the best stuff for the job?

Thanks.

[Rachel]

Can you explain more about the seam and the panels?

What are the panels a part of; why do they have a seam; how wide is it, what's behind them? When you say cabin top, I presume it's outside vs. the overhead (?) etc.

Thanks,
Rachel

[Hirilondë]

Questions and Answers

Ask a question...get an answer (or two).

Can you explain more about the seam and the panels?

What are the panels a part of; why do they have a seam; how wide is it, what's behind them? When you say cabin top, I presume it's outside vs. the overhead (?) etc.

Thanks,
Rachel

Ummm, Rachel, the description says he will get answers, not more questions ;-)

Actually, Rachel's questions do need answering before any worth while advice can be given.

[triton318]

Peanut butter. No wait...something else maybe with the consistency of peanut butter. Or is it mayonnaise?

[s/v Faith]

Peanut butter. No wait...something else maybe with the consistency of peanut butter. Or is it mayonnaise?

For the Love of all that is good and right with the world not silicone!


.... or miracle whip!

[keelbolts]

Sorry I wasn't a bit more focused in my question. The boat is a Hunter 30 something. It has a separately molded, screwed on fiberglass panel about 4' wide & 6' long that comprises most of the cabin top. It contains the sliding hatch for the companionway, the mainsheet traveller, and a bunch of other stuff. The gelcoat was lifting in quarter sized, and larger, flakes all around the edge of the panel. The owner is trying to sell the boat and his broker insisted he get the problem fixed. Removal of the panel would have been prohibitively expensive so I repaired it in place. I'm almost done with the gelcoat repairs, but I'm left with gap that's 1/8" at the bottom and rounds to 1/4" at the deck. I suspect it wasn't filled at the factory, but it was when I began the repair so I will have to replace it.

... but with what?

[mitiempo]

I'd remove it and do it properly. Ideally it should be a tight fit to the cabintop before sealant is used. A gap that large will be near impossible to seal long term and certainly not without removing it first. As for sealant butyl would be a good choice.

[Capn_Tom]

Picture?

[Hirilondë]

It sounds like you are referring to a sea hood. It is fastened down over where the companionway slider slides to when open and covers just the forward edge of it when closed? If so, then it should be removed and rebedded to do it well. To get a good seal and a clean look at the seem I would use Sikaflex 291-LOT white.

[keelbolts]

When I heard of the problem, I pictured a sea hood. I have one on Favona and it didn't sound like a big deal, but the panel I'm referring to makes up, probably, 75% of the cabin top. In order to remove it, I would have to remove, among other things, the slider assembly, the main sheet traveler, and the vinyl overhead down below. It's just more time & money than the owner is interested in spending on a boat he's trying to sell. To be honest about it, I wouldn't pull the panel if it was my boat - just too much work & too many chances to create collateral damage. Think repair rather than restoration.

[Hirilondë]

The cabin top is not one piece but has a mechanically fastened section?

[Rachel]

Okay, we need either another 827 words or 1 photo ;)

[earlylight]

If it is anything like the Hunter that was at our marina, it is a huge molded glass sea hood incorporating pathways for all the lines that run aft to the cockpit on either side of the companionway sliding hatch. If this is the case it is screwed down to the top of the coach roof and has some kind of caulk or bedding compound filling the rather large and uneven gap. Only Hunter would build a sea hood in this manner. If this is what you are talking about, the only real fix is to remove it entirely and rebed it. No quick fix I'm sorry to say.

[keelbolts]

It is as earlylight describes it. I will try to get a photo up for all to see. Rachel, I'll have to get better about posting photos. I've had mixed luck, over the years, doing it, but I come here looking for photos & if I don't put some up, it could be said that I'm not pulling my weight. I'll try to do better.

As far as rebedding the panel goes, it's not leaking it just looks unfinished to me - to have a gap running around the cabin top. Caulking the gap is more about appearance than function. I believe I'm going w/ Sikaflex 261. It sounds like it will stay put & resist yellowing as good as any of the alternatives.

[Hirilondë]

I believe I'm going w/ Sikaflex 261. It sounds like it will stay put & resist yellowing as good as any of the alternatives.

I think you mean 291. I comes in 2 versions: 291 and 291-LOT. The LOT (long open time) has a much slower initial skinning over. This gives you more time, especially in warm weather to clean up. I find this extra time very helpful.