Chuck, I understand the idea of "wicking" . These Stainless screws are
countersunk into the brackets, and I always thought there was some kind
of gasketing underneath them. Well, I suppose I've seen them both ways.
one reason I was wondering about the gaskets, is that it seems like
this bow railing really doesn't fit right. OH, it looks good but the
stanchion brackes are sort of mounted with the contour off the cap
around the bow, and don't actuall fit flat to the surface of the cap.
Like they just arn't the right ones.

But I never thought of using Sikaflex 4200. Thats a good idea.


Chuck Gould wrote:
wrote:



What do you all suggest?

Thanks!


It's not uncommon to mount the rail directly on the deck without a
rubber gasket beneath.
The important part is to squirt some Sikaflex or other sealer into the
fastener holes to prevent water from wicking into the interior of your
boat, a cored laminate, or etc. (Don't use 5200 to seal the fasteners
unless you are *positive* you will never need to remove them. You can
use 4200, but not 5200).

Even if you jammed some rubber under the rails, you would still have to
deal with a propensity for water to creep down the fasteners. Assuming
that the fasteners have a "head" that protrudes above the stanchion
brackets, a layer of rubber between the bracket and the deck may indeed
keep water from sneaking in under the bracket, but won't prevent
wicking.