Water Leak

[Marko56]

I think I've finally located where the water is coming from, it's the hull/deck joint on the rear driver's side.  Is the fix as simple as caulking the joint?  And if so, is it done from outside or inside the boat? 

[Mike Harry]

After you get the old stuff out if there is any left, you are supposed to try and pry the seam apart a bit to put it back in. thats what Ron told me to do anyhow.

From the underside of the outside of tge seam.

[backfoot100]

+1 on what Mike said. Pretty easy fix.

[Marko56]

It sounds like a job that requires the boat to be out of the water and removal of the rub rail. Is that correct?

[Mike Harry]

Out of the water I would say yes. Removal of the rub rail, I dont know. I did mine withouth the rubrail on I cant speak for the other way. I would say it seems like it would be rather hard to do with the screws running through the top and the hull though.

[backfoot100]

Hey Marko,

I think if you take a look up under the rubrail you could probably see the joint where the deck is a shoebox fit over the hull. As long as you can see that joint you should be able to put some silicone up in there without removing anything. The rubrail (I believe) doesn't actually roll under the joint. It's just sort of a functional cosmetic cover. I would say that the ideal way to do it would be by putting a bead of silcone in there before the deck is screwed to the hull but you don't have that luxury.
Worst case, you may have to remove the rubrail but if it's back corner of the hull. you may be able to remove just enough to get to the joint where it's leaking.

Let us know how it goes.

Eddie

[Marko56]

Thanks to all.  I'm going to try a temp fix for now by caulking what I can with the rub rail in place.  As soon as I have a chance, I'll pull the boat out and take the rub rail off.  By the way, how does the rub rail come off? 

[Mike Harry]

It is 2 pieces. The insert will just pull out of the base. It may take a bit of pulling if you still have the original. Then the base is screwed to the boat. I didnt/couldnt reuse my rubrail, and I dont know if it can be done or not. I think Backfoot100 (Eddie) may have reused his.

If its really old and brital you may end up needing a new set of rubrail which Ron carries.

First pull off the end cap which should be at the center of the transom. This piece covers both ends of the rubrail and once you pull it off you will see exactly what I am talking about. Should be held on with 2 screws.

[RonT]

What I would add to the above comments is that yes a section can be resealed from the back corner forward to mid-ship. I did learn a lesson from the reunion, in my haste to get the boat there I used a hardware store purchased black silicone (I was out of the proper stuff) and bottom line is that it appears that with all the safety conscious formulas now being used this stuff is junk & I bought the best they had at $7.00 per tube. It began washing out from the water pressure spraying against it at the reunion. My replacement stock of the "good-stuff" arrived after I got home & I compared the labels paying attention to the CAUTION WARNINGS: the good stuff says it can be an eye irritant, wear gloves, use sufficient ventilation & use proper respiratory equipment etc.
"Good Stuff" = BoatLife brand LifeSeal
I

[backfoot100]

I didnt/couldnt reuse my rubrail, and I dont know if it can be done or not. I think Backfoot100 (Eddie) may have reused his.

I did reuse mine without a problem. In fact, I've reused it twice. First timewas 12-13 years ago when I removed the deck to replace the floor. Then again just this year to refresh the gelcoat.

[Marko56]

Temp fix (bath silicone) has done the trick.  I'll replace it with LifeCaulk in the fall.  Thanks to all.  Now if I can just fix my starting issue!

[wetamb]

I just resealed my deck and hull and used what Ron called 100% silicon.  I found it at a specialty hardware store as Lowe's and HD did not carry it.  It says 100% silicon on the tube.  I pulled the rubrail out and then unscrewed parts of the rubrail to get at the deck/hull screws.  Removed all loose old caulk and resealed then screwed deck/hull back together.  I also learned that the rub rail base will shrink up, even after 20yrs so be careful if you remove all of it from the boat as it may not go back on correctly.  I started in the back on 1 side pulling about 30 screws out which was enough to pull it out of the way to get to the deck hull screws.  I worked my way to within 5 ft of the nose, then went to the other side and did the same.  Then to do the nose, I removed both sides and pulled the base down, sealed and then pulled it back in place.  I would suggest taping also where you can tell that the old silicon is because it did make a small mess if I over siliconed.  Then I waited a week to allow good drying, then went back and resealed under the base if there were any gaps where the boat and rubrail did not touch, again using tape.  Make sure you pull the tape off very shortly after you silicon as it gets a skin VERY fast !!

BJ