best way to waterproof bolt holes in a c1 conversion.

[TonyB]

Had to drill some holes in the hull to put a dagger saddle into a yak conversion and wondering whats the best watertight way to do that?

nylon washers, neoprene washersn sillycone? (if so what kind? if we can talk epox,y surely sillycone is worth afew pages of discussion, do they make silicone in a red can?)

[markzak]

Gflex works like a dream. Silicon stands a chance but i doubt it will last very long.

[Smurfwarrior]

Since you'll likely want to move outfitting to another hull in the future, keep it non-permanent by using a bit of clear silicone (I use shoe goo) on the inside and outside of the hole prior to fitting the bolt through the hole. Sometimes the bolt location is where my shaft hand thumb will hit and I'll add a bit of shoe goo over top the top of the bolt to reduce the amount of flesh I donate.

[pblanc]

I have used this and it has worked well: http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx ... ubcatID=27" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Cheeks]

WELDWOOD - RED CAN


Wait, what was the question?


I've used silicone to waterproof the bolt holes I put in my bed cap on my truck, but I don't know how it would hold up in a submersed environment. Worked fine on the truck though.

[RodeoClown]

1/4" minicel washers. works like a charm, and you can make them yourself with scraps you already have.

[iRolled]

Sillicone with gorilla tape.

[TheKrikkitWars]

Weld some scrap plastic over the bolt/screw head on the outside.

[PAC]

All of the above work...

I just use goop in the hole with washers on either side... water proof and the bolt doesn't back out on you. My $.01

[jatakasawa]

I wanna beat this horse! I use Quad/OSI caulk. I apply a small dab beneath the bolt...tighten it down, then cover it over with a little more. Spit on your finger before you smooth it out or risk days of frustration getting it off your fingers. It holds ridiculously well but if you need to get to the bolt, it will scrape or cut away with some elbow grease. $4.95 a tube at Lowes/Home Depot.

[ncdavid]

In the last two conversion boats I did, I just fired up the heat gun and plastic welded some scrap plastic into the holes.

[Larry Horne]

it ain't the space shuttle. if the kayak had washers with rubber gaskets i'd re-use them but if not, no big deal. just bolt it together like normal. ain't more than a drop of water going to get through a tight bolt hole.

[TonyB]

Thanks for the responseses, I just remember having a leaky bolt from back in my Yakkin days and dont want a repeat since I'm doin it from scratch, (felt really weird taking a drill bit to the underside of a boat) also picked up some neoprene washers with the bolts was thinkin on putting them on outside.

[RodeoClown]

it also helps to drill the hole a size smaller than the screw, then thread it in for a nice tight fit.

[Larry Horne]

...if you had to drill through the bottom of the boat..... first off, congratulations! you're awsome! and second, yeah, you might want to waterproof a little better than what I was sayin. I thought the bolts were up on the side of the hull. sounds like you may be missing part of the pedestal...?
the strap part that bolts to the saddle and reaches up to the foot brace holes.