I use 3M 4200 or Sikiflex 231, whatever is cheaper. I have had
acceptable (meaning I renew the bedding every five years or so) and
leak-free results with that, and it hard freezes here in January and
February, although covering the boat with a canvas tarp helps a lot.

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 09:12:16 -0400, Dan wrote:

And what is recommended to bed with for deck hardware, specifically
winches, cleats and genoa track?

Genoa track is troublesome, only because it's a lot of work to
properly seal the core with thickened epoxy. It's better, if messier,
in my opinion, to do the following:

Cut out from below all of the lower skin and balsa core. It's likely
sponge and rot, anyway. Save the lower skin.

Encapsulate marine grade plywood of the appropriate thickness.

When set up, carefully drill oversized bolt holes that correspond to
the (usually 1/4") genoa track holes on deck.

Epoxy these holes (3/8" - 1/2" is good). You should now have
essentially a waterproofed plank with waterproofed bolt holes.

Glass the wood (usually in several pieces to conform to the curve of
the topsides...YMMV) into place. Avoid leaving voids and be aware this
is a messy frickin' job.

Glass the lower skin back into place. The holes should line up...not
important if they don't.

Sand, grind or finish to your level of tolerance G.

Drill bolt holes through epoxied plugs in glassed in plywood.

Bed and bolt. Use backing plates (one per two or three bolts is easy
to shape and place. Bed the plates.

Even if you tear out the genoa track (unlikely as this part of the
deck is likely stronger than any other), you should be able to repair
the "core" easily.

Sound good?

My biggest problem was finding 1 1/4" T-track with 3" centers...they
don't make it anymore and I didn't want to do the entire track, just
butt a new piece into place and replace the core beneath.

R.