I noticed that the sealant between the swim platform and the transom on my Tournament 225 is starting to crack. Do I need to remove the entire platform or can I just pull out the old sealant and shoot some new sealant in? Any recommendations for sealant?
Swim Platform Sealant
- Thread starter JCB3
- Start date
Just an FYI... The sealant there really doesn't serve any "real" purpose - meaning, you could cut it out and leave it like that. However, it does help to keep dirt from collecting and the time needed to fully remove the caulk so the area looks nice would be longer than just re-sealing.
Take a razor blade (use a plastic one if you're worried) and follow the edge of the platform and then the transom. The transom would be a vertical cut (using a scraper too, running it downward, would probably be easiest), but you can make an angled cut on the platform to connect to the vertical cut. In essence, you're making a deep "V-groove". Then pull the old stuff out and insert new stuff.
Personally, I really like the LifeSeal stuff - they make a light beige color called cameo, but I've never compared that to the color of the beige Gradys. Excellent stuff, though, and will last a long, long time. Many here on this forum talk about using GE Silicone II in almond and seem to say the color works well. I don't know how it long it lasts, though, as it seems most are using it to seal around a deck hatch and they're pulling that hatch every year or every few years, anyways.
Take a razor blade (use a plastic one if you're worried) and follow the edge of the platform and then the transom. The transom would be a vertical cut (using a scraper too, running it downward, would probably be easiest), but you can make an angled cut on the platform to connect to the vertical cut. In essence, you're making a deep "V-groove". Then pull the old stuff out and insert new stuff.
Personally, I really like the LifeSeal stuff - they make a light beige color called cameo, but I've never compared that to the color of the beige Gradys. Excellent stuff, though, and will last a long, long time. Many here on this forum talk about using GE Silicone II in almond and seem to say the color works well. I don't know how it long it lasts, though, as it seems most are using it to seal around a deck hatch and they're pulling that hatch every year or every few years, anyways.
I might add that if you see rust runs under the platform underneath where the mounting bolts, removal, cleaning and rebedding may be advisable.
Interesting, I do have one rust run that I asked my mechanic about and he just said it's from from the salt water corrosion on the bolt.
You can try removing the bolt, and cleaning the rust off with CLR or something like hull stain cleaner. After it dries, coat the bolt (it may be a screw like a lag bolt, with a sealant like Life Caulk. Coat the bolt well including the underside of the bolt head. Then reassemble. Wipe off the squeeze out after it has set for while. The trick is to eliminate any moisture from getting into the bolt hold or under its head.
ROBERTH
GreatGrady Captain
I use the GE Silicone II in Almond. For the swim platform, it has a lot of flex and over time, will seperate/crack open. I have just resealed existing and it holds up for about a year. Last time, I switched over to the 3M 4000 UV and it is holding up better so far.
The GE Silicone II which is bathroom caulk is easy to use and flow for a smooth finish and looks great, but it does get black mold spots in the first year which is a bummer. It does have great adhesion, but does not stretch well, thus is why it is cracking open.
I would love to know how close match the Life Caulk Cameo is to the Grady gelcoat.....But worse case use white and is not so bad on the swim platform. Just would not want the white on the seams for the floor hatches. But, I wonder if the Life Caulk Cameo, if a good match would be better to use for the floor seams.
The GE Silicone II which is bathroom caulk is easy to use and flow for a smooth finish and looks great, but it does get black mold spots in the first year which is a bummer. It does have great adhesion, but does not stretch well, thus is why it is cracking open.
I would love to know how close match the Life Caulk Cameo is to the Grady gelcoat.....But worse case use white and is not so bad on the swim platform. Just would not want the white on the seams for the floor hatches. But, I wonder if the Life Caulk Cameo, if a good match would be better to use for the floor seams.