My old and very well-used Romany is leaking in bow and stern hatches. The rubber covers seem tight, I think it's the rims. Anyone got ideas as to how to seal the rims? Can I glass under the deck, or does something like Shoo Goo work? Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Jim Tibensky _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Hi James, Oh Yes......a familiar problem with older Romany's. It will likely be the Sikkaflex that beds down the hatch rims has failed( Sikikaflex is a Marine polyurethane but I could be wrong ) I recall that VCP and NDK both chased down the manufacturers who informed them that the problem stems from the ABS plastic of the rims doesn't adhere well to anything. They recommended using a solvent that softens the plastic prior to applying the Sikkaflex. All new Romany's have added nuts and bolts/pop rivets but may not solve the leakage problem if the sealant fails although you will be saved the embarrassing occurrence of pulling off your hatch cover and finding the rim still attached. I have fixed them in a variety of ways all which seem to have held up so far. You had best remove the rims, some come easier than others, some by gently tugging them and some by levering off with a screwdriver, scraper etc. Thoroughly clean off the rim and recess being the obvious first step. West system or similar epoxy works although Nigel says that it won't flex with the hull but mine has been on for 3 years of hard use. Marine sealants/adhesives as long as you get knowledgeable advice from the store or better still 'phone the manufacturers and speak to the Tech. staff. A two part adhesive containing methylacrylate is amazingly strong and is being used by one sea kayak manufacturer to bed down all hatch rims with no problems as yet. Methylacrylate( if that's how you spell it) is one of the adhesives that Dentists use to glue caps on...so if it's good enough for your teeth..... I would clamp down the rim before the adhesive goes off but not so hard as to squeeze all the stuff out. Nut and bolt it with countersunk heads doesn't hurt but watch out to leave enough material on the rim as the countersink bit may ream it all away. I guess an appropriate rational for the problem is that all sea kayaks are a 'work in progress'. Good luck Phil Daligan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 4/22/01 10:46:43 AM, jtibensky_at_msn.com writes: << Anyone got ideas as to how to seal the rims? Can I glass under the deck, or does something like Shoo Goo work? >> My Gulfstream had wet day and rear compartments. Turned out they were leaking under the rims. I used regular black, marine caulk-NOT glue-to reseal them, per Woody's instructions. He had a similar problem with his. I pulled the rim, cleaned both surfaces and applied the caulk. The instructions said to put this stuff on, making sure it was evenly applied, screw the rim back on but only about 3/4 of the way. Allow it to dry and screw the rims the rest of the way on. Sure seemed to work for me. Much easier than thinking about glassing something in. I have found that since I did that I might get a drop in the day hatch but I kind of wonder if that tiny bit isn't coming in through the pin whole in the bulkhead behind the seat. Certainly isn't enough moisture to worry about. Joan Spinner *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I used Marine Goop to install a VCP day hatch kit a few years ago and it's performed flawlessly ever since. Unbolt and remove the rims and clean off the old adhesive. If your hatch doesn't have bolts, I would install three at the same time. Goop is pretty viscous, so I would try to apply as evenly as possible. Another very permanent option would be 3M 5200, but I found the Goop easier to work with faster setting times. cu *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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