Deck Fittings, Rebedded

[Dan Maliszewski]

It has been pointed out to me that over a perilously short time, every one of the magic bedding compounds, including the Poly sisters, Sulfide and Urethane, all do exactly what they promise never to do - harden, dryout, split, and fail. I know mine sure has. Just pull out your old tube of Juber from last spring; you can crush walnuts with it, right? Sure, they are Operator Sensitive, but even put on correctly, the failure rate of beddings is dismal. And then there is Butyl Tape.

This sticky, resiliant sealant comes in 30' rolls with release tape backing, and has been used for decades in the roofing, glazing, boatbuilding, and many other industries. Generally 3/4 in. wide, with thicknesses from 1/16" on up, this product has been used in hull-deck joints by several builders and supposedly after 25 years in service was still moist and tacky. It is widely used to set large glass panes in their frames, with mechanical fasteners. While it is tacky, it is not an adhesive. There are many durometers available, but the firmest is readily obtained. Common colors are black and grey, and sometimes white.

I have read several articles about Captains using butyl tape to bed deck fittings, from padeyes to winches to tracks, with excellent results, times four years. It hasn't squished out from under, or melted or crumbled. And, it is around $7.00 a roll, enough to do several Ariels.

As some of you may know, I am divorcing my faithful Ariel and have taken up with a wayward Pearson Flyer. Ok, my bad. But this new hottie needs to be properly bedded and I need help from you fine seamen - Whom among you has knowledge of rubber goods, vis a' vis butyl tape? Out with it, Scabrous Dogs.....oh man, I gotta lay off those pirate novels...

Your faithful servant,
Capt. Dan

[iceman]

Hey Dan
One of my sailing buddies has a Flyer on Lake Champlain
If you like Private message me and Ill pass along you email to him and vise versa

Iceman

[ebb]

Thanks Dan, for the tip.

"harden, dryout, split and fail" - talking about the Poly sisters "cracking walnuts" - are words that fit my feelings about my ex years ago.

There is another product that I don't know has an application aboard a sailboat that goes in the construction trades by the name of *****ethane (aka bituthane). It's an asphalt based peel and stick flashing that comes in rolls also. Maybe 1/16" thick with probably a vinyl side, bendable and sort of formable. Used wherever waterproof seal is required over any seam from roof to foundation - sticks to any material including itself like Tom tape and seals any fastening (so they say, Grace Corp.) that pierces it like nails and screws. We have it being used on the estate here to cover entire exterior plywood walls that will have a stone face.

It's also meant to stay flexible forever at all temperatures. Amateurs hate it, it takes some finesse in handling. But it is the ultimate in applied waterproofing. I chuckle the way guys unconsciously refer to it, emphasizing the first syllable.

That Flyer is a step up in spacious, but I'll bet you'll miss the sturdy Ariel!

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I protest the starring out of the word above (*****) often used to describe the female dog. Rather stupid. Censorship like this emphasizes the offending word and actually has the opposite effect of drawing attention to the supposed bad word and making it more strong or illicit. Rediculous

[Howard]

I protest the starring out of the word above (*****) often used to describe the female dog.

I just thought you were still talking about the ex.

[ebb]

Hey Howard,
Keep those photos coming on the Gallery thread!

The ex and I have a daughter in common and we've become
'friends'
and show some concern for our well being by keeping in touch and sometimes even eating together in public places.

Slang adds a lot of color and life to the language. That 5 star word above is entirely acceptable and legit word used by everybody in all its forms - except maybe by some obscure fundamentalist cults. This is probably the only obscure site on the world wide web that blanks it out!!!

[Bill]

Seems Ebb may be the censor here. Management has not edited his "****'s." YET!