Well, I think you'll get some replies on this. I used Sikaflex (291? Their 4200 equivalent at any rate) the first time and had a leak within two months. I fixed that using 4200, and after 2 summers still no problem, though 4200 will yellow if you leave any exposed. Last year I put the new chainplates in and with info from Tom Grover on this board I used 4000UV which doesn't yellow. They are roughly the same strength. So far no problems.

I'm sure many people have used Sikaflex, or Life Caulk and had no issues, but it was the first time I used Sikaflex and I had a bad experience, so I'm sticking with 3M stuff which I have used for 25 years and which seems to work pretty good, for me. YMMV.

I have never used butyl tape though many on this board have and love it. I would try it but can't find for sure the right stuff up here and Maine Sail doesn't ship to Canada last I knew. Bummer.:(

After I bed the hardware and do up the fasteners I do not pull them down super tight, maybe 80%. Then after the cure time is up, I will pull them down the rest of the way while having someone hold the fastener to ensure it DOES NOT TURN!!! If it turns, you just wasted your time.

So is that a good story or just a story?:D

that wouldn't be a story, it would be yarn;)

I use butyl for for all my deck fittings, I buy it at Holland Marine in Toronto. Holland Marine is the go-to supplier of parts for CS Yacht owners, and, interestingly, CS was using butyl to bed their deck fittings over 30 years ago with a very good results, which is probably why Holland Marine stocks it.

Butyl tape is easy to handle, there are no tubes to dry out, has a 2 year shelf life, is very UV resistant, is permanently flexible and watertight, and most manufacturers quote a 20 year service life. Check out the manufacturers' spec sheets online.

I re-bed as per Maine Sail, and I have high confidence in the results.

Cheers,
Graham
Graham

Butyl tape from Maine Sail. Best stuff on the market.

Talisman,

For chainplate bedding, briefly:

1. Remove chainplate
2. In some instances, I've found that the slot through the deck was not well aligned with the chainplate so I neaten up the opening in the deck with my Dremel tool so that there is a uniform gap between the chainplate and the deck. I have found the screw-on covers are usually well aligned with the chainplate so I use these as a guide.
3. Protect the exposed core with epoxy.
4. Reinstall the chainplate.
5. Pack the gap with butyl, our decks are really thick, so I stuff in as much as I can.
6. Replace the screw-on covers. I drill a moderate countersink in each screw hole and apply butyl under the plate.
7. Trim the squeeze-out. Bob's your uncle.

Cheers,
Graham

Graham, I got a copy of Holland Marine's catalog and found it in there. What size do you use, they show 4 different combinations of width/thickness. Thanks.

Maine Sail's stuff: [url]http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/butyl_tape[/url]

Other forums suggest his tape is "better" than others. I don't doubt it. I did buy some, and will install before the rains start here.

I mentioned Holland Marine as a source in response to the notion that Maine Sail may not ship to Canada.

My understanding is that butyl caulk is extensively used in the construction business to weather seal windows and other surfaces. The couple of suppliers I checked on the Internet seemed to propose a minimum life expectancy of 20 years. As with many other products, our marine application would be a minuscule portion of the market.

E.g: [URL]http://www.domtek.ca/butyl.htm[/URL]

I used the cheapest Holland Marine size (1/16 x 3/8), there's enough to keep you going for a long time. The tape format is just a packaging convenience anyway, I use double or triple layers if I need a thick piece, and it generally just gets squeezed out of the joint as you tighten it down anyway. Think of it like putty. Just mould it to the shape you need.

Cheers,

[QUOTE=bstreet;14998]
I have never used butyl tape though many on this board have and love it. I would try it but can't find for sure the right stuff up here and Maine Sail doesn't ship to Canada last I knew. Bummer.:(

[/QUOTE]

I do ship to Canada but the shipping is a tad expensive. I always offer my Canada customers to send me a shipping label if they have a cheaper option.

Best bet is to split an order with a buddy. I can fit 5 rolls in a box to Canada.

[B][URL="http://www.pbase.com/mainecruising/canadian_butyl"]Bed-It Tape Canada Order Button[/URL][/B]