Sealing the coaming board against the edge of the cockpit really should not be done with any sort of sealant. Every Ensign owner should accept the fact that the coaming boards will eventually need to be removed for refinishing… a much simpler job if the primary obstacle is just removing the through-bolts. If sealant or butyl tape is used to ‘seal’ the coaming boards against the cockpit, then much effort and solvent will be required for its removal from both the wood and the cockpit side.
I once had to remove coaming boards that had been ‘sealed’ with 5200 and I cannot relate how difficult that process was. I was lucky to get the boards off in one piece and even then, some chunks of gel coat from the cockpit wall came off with the boards. Awful! Do not EVER use 5200 on anything that even has a chance of needing removal again. If you do, the only product I know of that will chemically attack the surface of 5200 is Marine Formula. That might help a little bit.
The product that I recommend to seal the coaming boards against the cockpit wall is actually adhesive backed weather stripping, which can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot, is quite inexpensive, is durable, very easy to apply and remove, doesn’t harm the wood, comes in white and gray and results in a very clean look.
The adhesive side can be smoothly and evenly applied to the top of the fiberglass cockpit wall with the non-adhesive side facing the wood. Since it is a light adhesive, it comes off easily with acetone upon need for removal. It doesn’t ooze unevenly or is messy like a sealant. Most importantly, it doesn’t damage the wood.
See the pics
Best regards,
Bud Brown
Lorelei
#1085
ECA Commodore 2021 - 2025