What caulking?

[steplift20]

I'm going to take up the deck panel on my 78 steplift the one that covers the fuel tank, when I reinstall it what kind of sealer should I use?

[wellcraftv20step]

As long as the Hatch is ridgid and not spongy you can use 3M's 4200 , ( 18.00 on amazon ) 4200 remains flexible and it's not terribly difficult to remove the 4200 should you need to get that hatch up in years to come. The 5200 is more permanent and would make that more difficult . But remember if the hatch is spongy the 4200 will let go and you'll see a gap when you step on the hatch .

[steplift20]

Thanks wellcraftv20step then that's what I will use, what happened is some of the screws are not grabbing so I'm going to glue pressure treated wood under the screw holes so that I will have something to grab on yo , I think that should work ? I think 1 X 3 should do it, what do you think?

[wellcraftv20step]

I think that will work, their is actually a fairly recent thread with great pics on that exact issue ! I believe it was titled" re core fuel cell hatch' by Phatdaddy Youll see how he used pvc pipe cut into 1 or 2 inch pieces(used as clamps ) to fasten the wood to the deck while adhesive dried ... take a look

[SkunkBoat]

4200 and especially 5200 are adhesives and overkill for the purpose.

I would use silicone. The Roof & gutter outdoor stuff that can be in the sun.

Way cheaper and easier to remove when you check in there again in the next year (or 2). I always preach to check in there every season and reseal.

Instead of pressure treated, get some 3 "pvc trim board at Home Depot. Lite & never rot.

[phatdaddy]

agree with skunk, i used good grade silicone, but i remove it every season, check out whats under there and reseal.

i ended up using aztec board under the lip. its a plastic composite used as decking on docks. im coming up on my yearly visual, ill report back on how it faired. and take some non photobucket pics to post.

[steplift20]

Ok one more question I'm going to look for the roof or gutter silicone but what do I use to glue the trim board to the bottom of the fiberglass hatch? Pvc board is or doesn't hold the glue very well that's why I was going to use wood , please let me know

[phatdaddy]

Not sure about pvc, but on the plastics, i used West G-Flex epoxy. Flame it first, then apply and clamp.

https://i.imgur.com/3TI4mPOh.jpg


these are pieces of starboard i "g-flexed" to the transom to mount my livewell pump and txducer on. that way i can relocate to fine tune and not drill any holes in transom.

[SkunkBoat]

use the silicone. It only has to hold it while you screw down the hatch. Then the screw pulls the pvc board up while pulling the hatch down...nice & tight.

[spareparts]

Boat life silicone

[steplift20]

Boat life silicone as
the adhesive?

[spareparts]

to seal the gap

[steplift20]

Phatdaddy, just curious why do you take up your panel? What do you look at and why? I haven't ever taken up my panel the covers the fuel tank , should I?

[phatdaddy]

when i installed the new tank 4 years ago, i didn't foam it in. i used straps to secure it to the stringers. I inspect it yearly to make sure nothing has shifted and to rinse it out with fresh water and let it dry .

[steplift20]

Can't you foam it in now? I should look at mine because I had someone else a mechanic install my fuel tank about 17 years ago and I never even looked at it Maybe now is a good time To do it