bertram31.com

I have a 31 express with a 3 piece bertram fibreglass floor. Can anyone tell me the best caulking to use to fill in the 2 seams that join the 3 pieces together. Should i use 5200.? That might be a bear if i have to pick up the floor .Thanx in advance for any info. bob

Bob,

You don't want to make a future removal a major pain in the ass... Just use a Tub & Tile caulk. Don't use anything that says adhesive. May only last a year or so & you have to re-do it, but it's a simple job.

Br,

Patrick

Boat Life marine silicone rubber is a good choice, easy to remove later on.

Dont waste your money on 3M 4000UV, I have been very dissapointed by it and I am a heavy 3M user.

Would it possibly work to use 5200 on the seams, but not adhere them together, just letting it dry as a bead, so that when you lay the pieces together, the bead acts as a gasket to keep water out. This enables you to still lift the floor if needed, but slows/stops water getting in there. I've used this concept in the past with good results.

If 5200 sticks...it sticks. My experience.

I thought 5200 didn't like sunlight...

I have pretty much stopped using 5200 except for things like thru hull fittings that I assume are there forever. For anything else is use 4200.. assuming someone some day might need to remove it.

I think some of the newer caulks available for sealing windows and other things in the Lowes/Home Depot stores deserve a test.. some have a (supposed) guarantee to last 35 to 50 years. I doubt I will be using my boat very much in 35 years. I will be well over 100 then!

I may not have been clear. The 5200 goes on one side. You do not adhere the pieces together. The dried bead of 5200 on one side forms a gasket of sorts when butted up against the othe piece, but you never 5200 the pieces together.

The bead when dry will not have a stable flexible edge to butt tight against the other and keep water from intruding between the two. At some time you will want to remove the old bead to adhere a fresh one. At that point you will need a chisel. If you really want to handle the situation in the way you describe, use 4200. One man's opinion.

4200 will do the same to form a gasket and will be more removeable. ... good call.

4200 is not UV stable either.
We are talking about the deck of a 31 Bertram right? With the hatch openings and the edges along the hull plenty of water can find its way down into the bilge, I think some of this is being over thought?

A bead of simple silicone will do the job and will be UV stable.


Its a boat, not a submarine

[Its a boat, not a submarine]

Robby

There have been times I was not so sure about that. I have gotten off the boat looking like some one left the hatch open on a submarine.