Bedding boat hardware to prevent leaks.

   Bedding boat hardware to prevent leaks.

To eliminate some pesky leaks on my sailboat, I figured that some of the deck hardware was where the leaks could be coming from. I started re-bedding all the hardware that was anywhere near where I had the leak.

After taking off the hardware I cleaned both the deck and hardware. Next I checked the holes where the screws and bolts came out. I then put creeping crack cure in the holes and let it seep in to any hairline cracks around the hole. Creeping crack cure is a very thin polymer that flows into tiny cracks via capillary action and when it cures it plugs leaks. I Let this dry for 24 hours.

When I am ready to remount the hardware put the sealant I am going to use as beading on the hardware and in the screw holes. I tighten down the hardware lightly just so it squeezes out some of the sealant around the perimeter, but do not seat it fully down.  I give the sealant 24 Hours to set. After it has set, I tighten down the hardware. By doing it this way I do not squeeze all the sealant out from under the hardware and a gasket is formed between the deck and hardware. I have had good luck with eliminating leaks this way, and it seals new hardware right from the start.