I have a 2005 model 265 Express. I would like to reseal any penetrations. I seem to get a fair amount of water in the bilge. I believe most of it is coming through the Access plates in the cockpit as well as the sealed areas of the deck that cover the gas tank tanks. I periodically remove these and seal them with new silicone. I’m also starting to get some water coming in the cabin. I suspect it may be the bolts securing the hard top structure. Any advice related to these items would be greatly appreciated.
Reseal bolt penetrations through fiberglass and all deck areas
- Thread starter Benkovich
- Start date
SkunkBoat
GreatGrady Captain
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- Model
- Express 265
I have hit all of those areas with silicone or 4000uv. I suggest replacing the motorwell pie plates with the screw-in type. I worry a popped plate is a sinking.
The deck drain hoses to the scuppers should be inspected. If they are only half as bad as mine were, they need replacing. Here is a thread on that. https://www.greatgrady.com/threads/deck-drain-scupper-surprise.28979/
The motorwell drains can be another source of bilge water. There is a gap in the transom at the front edge and if the brass tube is cracked or not sealing against the motorwell, water will leak into the bilge. You have to remove the rear deck to get in there and look. Also, lower motor bolts are below water line and can leak into the bilge. see this thread...https://www.greatgrady.com/threads/transom-maintenance.37746/
The Wiper can be a source of cabin drips and also the washer hose. Water gets in the headliner and travels so it may appear to be coming from somewhere else
The deck drain hoses to the scuppers should be inspected. If they are only half as bad as mine were, they need replacing. Here is a thread on that. https://www.greatgrady.com/threads/deck-drain-scupper-surprise.28979/
The motorwell drains can be another source of bilge water. There is a gap in the transom at the front edge and if the brass tube is cracked or not sealing against the motorwell, water will leak into the bilge. You have to remove the rear deck to get in there and look. Also, lower motor bolts are below water line and can leak into the bilge. see this thread...https://www.greatgrady.com/threads/transom-maintenance.37746/
The Wiper can be a source of cabin drips and also the washer hose. Water gets in the headliner and travels so it may appear to be coming from somewhere else
Take those tubes of sillycone and make a lure out of one and use the other to make some slickers, get Napata and make a thin paste, work into your preferred clothing.
For here is what you get if used on a boat,
Over 50 years of working on a boats. 99% of people you tell will not believe you, so why try.
It collects dust well.
This is off a Grady, straight from the factory.
For here is what you get if used on a boat,
Over 50 years of working on a boats. 99% of people you tell will not believe you, so why try.
It collects dust well.
This is off a Grady, straight from the factory.
Attachments
SkunkBoat
GreatGrady Captain
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2017
- Messages
- 4,717
- Reaction score
- 1,663
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Manasquan Inlet NJ
- Website
- www.youtube.com
- Model
- Express 265
hehehe trying to decipher this but I agree that silicone does not stick very well to the rims of the Beckson plates. Everytime I have ever removed them the silicone was stuck to the gelcoat and not the plastic rim.
The Beckson rim has "Only use silicone" printed right in the plastic.(probably they don't want you to destroy them taking them off)
I used 4000uv last time. I will pull them this month. I am probably going to use someting else. Even something more permanent like 4200 because, in reality, the only time I want to remove the rim is when I am installing brand new ones anyways.
Look how it stuck to fresh gelcoat, probably with release agent still on it. Then that fitting will never seal good again unless prepped right. 4000 and Butyl is a great choice to use.
To remove 4000, 4200, get a little pick, nail or go get your best kitchen fork. Pool up some MEK or Acetone, very slowly. Once a little pocket is formed, squirt a little of the Brain Cell Killing MEK, let it sit, work up and repeat. Work on it and walk off, give it time.
They are a very high stress area for little plastic rings, they are Turds. They will work lose. Get 8-32 screws, flanged nuts, small countersink on all thruhulls. Snug good, all the 4000 on your hands make a thread lock, Take red rubber grease and take care of the orings.
Years ago there was a gasket sealant that was the 5200 for engines. It was Yamabond, the original stuff that made Godzilla mean. I had cases upon cases they gave out for my racing. Excellent boat sealant. I sure wish I had all that left, they do not pass it out like before.
"Only use silicone"- Proof is in the picture !
1- gal Solvent Napata
1-tube sillycone
mix in bucket
Wet a sheet or jacket, hang dry for a week
You have a Slicker or tent.
To remove 4000, 4200, get a little pick, nail or go get your best kitchen fork. Pool up some MEK or Acetone, very slowly. Once a little pocket is formed, squirt a little of the Brain Cell Killing MEK, let it sit, work up and repeat. Work on it and walk off, give it time.
They are a very high stress area for little plastic rings, they are Turds. They will work lose. Get 8-32 screws, flanged nuts, small countersink on all thruhulls. Snug good, all the 4000 on your hands make a thread lock, Take red rubber grease and take care of the orings.
Years ago there was a gasket sealant that was the 5200 for engines. It was Yamabond, the original stuff that made Godzilla mean. I had cases upon cases they gave out for my racing. Excellent boat sealant. I sure wish I had all that left, they do not pass it out like before.
"Only use silicone"- Proof is in the picture !
1- gal Solvent Napata
1-tube sillycone
mix in bucket
Wet a sheet or jacket, hang dry for a week
You have a Slicker or tent.
On these little plastic boats there is a way sealing holes for a very long time if care is taken in the prep.
I'm just giving a few examples. You can find this stuff everywhere. Get some Carbon Fiber tube $$$, G10 Tube and there is a whole family of that glass under pressure family. McMaster Carr will have info on it plus many more sites.
I find the tubes everywhere from Thrift Shops to Children's Toys. Go to your China Tool Outlet, get a big letter, number and fraction drill index, cheap one not my 500 dollar Champion Set. If you are a real High Roller get that fine China adjustable Reamer set. 50 bucks for both.
Get good FRESH Epoxy, fine cloth, (I have even used handkerchiefs) some fine mat to chop and stuff..
So our little Plastic boats are under Constant stress working at every bolt, never ending, squirt in a little saltwater, never ending while I'm looking for one of those Manatee's that Pho Pho 5 gallons at a time. I would think of a few of you have been on a Ferry, in the navy or like us working on these things for a lifetime.
If you have not, most will be shocked that a boat can shutter that much and stay together and that is on a good day. We where younger and had a job to do, using a Mike 8, Quads, landing craft. Both of us are licensed and we where running Hot Bunks with ice chests and berthing on the galley table. It was work and we had to get done. You run 6 on 6 off, 24/7, and they are not bluewater boats and running in the surf line. The pounding, shuttering, the popping of metal will take your breath away at times. That is happing to our plastic boats on a smaller scale.
I replace all self tappers that I can. You want good clean prepped holes on the boat and what is being mounted. There is a lot of ways to drill it, use a lathe or a drill and sandpaper. When you prep holes take a small counter sink and put a small sink on all holes. Another $10 China Gizzmo. So these little tapers will hold and press in your 5200 on your bolt, washers and nuts. Ream your hole for a good fit.
Yes all this takes time. but you will have a boat like mine that you can bring a moisture meter to and be shocked, original tanks, never has had bottom paint and towed everywhere 30' Marlin.
A die grinder(S) air or electric, cutting wheel and sanding discs.
Get masking tape and dispenser, desk top type.
throw away sheetrock knives
Razors
MEK
Keep the Epoxy Fresh.
Masking paper dispenser
I use a little folding work bench. to TRY to keep it clean.
Hobby brushes
Robber Gloves
Just of the top of my head. Very cheap to do and your resale value go thru the roof. Everything is logged.
I you have suffered thru my 5 gallons of of Pho, Please look for my Florida post looking for info. I will explain a lot. We have had a Fantastic Life and have done way more than most. I have been asked a couple of times to write a book.
What I'm trying to say is JUST DO IT ! We have 1 ONE shot at this life.
I'm just giving a few examples. You can find this stuff everywhere. Get some Carbon Fiber tube $$$, G10 Tube and there is a whole family of that glass under pressure family. McMaster Carr will have info on it plus many more sites.
I find the tubes everywhere from Thrift Shops to Children's Toys. Go to your China Tool Outlet, get a big letter, number and fraction drill index, cheap one not my 500 dollar Champion Set. If you are a real High Roller get that fine China adjustable Reamer set. 50 bucks for both.
Get good FRESH Epoxy, fine cloth, (I have even used handkerchiefs) some fine mat to chop and stuff..
So our little Plastic boats are under Constant stress working at every bolt, never ending, squirt in a little saltwater, never ending while I'm looking for one of those Manatee's that Pho Pho 5 gallons at a time. I would think of a few of you have been on a Ferry, in the navy or like us working on these things for a lifetime.
If you have not, most will be shocked that a boat can shutter that much and stay together and that is on a good day. We where younger and had a job to do, using a Mike 8, Quads, landing craft. Both of us are licensed and we where running Hot Bunks with ice chests and berthing on the galley table. It was work and we had to get done. You run 6 on 6 off, 24/7, and they are not bluewater boats and running in the surf line. The pounding, shuttering, the popping of metal will take your breath away at times. That is happing to our plastic boats on a smaller scale.
I replace all self tappers that I can. You want good clean prepped holes on the boat and what is being mounted. There is a lot of ways to drill it, use a lathe or a drill and sandpaper. When you prep holes take a small counter sink and put a small sink on all holes. Another $10 China Gizzmo. So these little tapers will hold and press in your 5200 on your bolt, washers and nuts. Ream your hole for a good fit.
Yes all this takes time. but you will have a boat like mine that you can bring a moisture meter to and be shocked, original tanks, never has had bottom paint and towed everywhere 30' Marlin.
A die grinder(S) air or electric, cutting wheel and sanding discs.
Get masking tape and dispenser, desk top type.
throw away sheetrock knives
Razors
MEK
Keep the Epoxy Fresh.
Masking paper dispenser
I use a little folding work bench. to TRY to keep it clean.
Hobby brushes
Robber Gloves
Just of the top of my head. Very cheap to do and your resale value go thru the roof. Everything is logged.
I you have suffered thru my 5 gallons of of Pho, Please look for my Florida post looking for info. I will explain a lot. We have had a Fantastic Life and have done way more than most. I have been asked a couple of times to write a book.
What I'm trying to say is JUST DO IT ! We have 1 ONE shot at this life.