Recaulk?

Spring is soon to arrive! Ordered more goodies for our H16 yesterday. Got to thinking about maintainence. Our boat (as many of you know) is a 1981 H16. I know it's never been recaulked. I assume its time. Although she's under shelter now, it did spend a few decades out in the weather. We have no soft spots and it sails all day without hardly any leakage...We want to keep it that way. I'm thinking 100% Silicone from Home Depot (Like that GE II stuff). Once around each pilon where they enter the hulls and also around any other places where harware enters the inside of the hulls. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Goodies bought: (1) Electric motor mount to broaden launch ramp capabilities (Bass Pro has a great sale on an electric motor next week too).
(2) Anti-pitch pole hydrofoils...I know, training wheels. But hey! I'm the Captain, and it makes the Admiral happy!

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1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

I would take the rudder gudgeons, and drain plug housings all the way off and clean off the old sealant with a razor blade and some acetone. Then reseal and resrew everything. If you have plastic drain plug housings it is a good time to replace them.
Ben

I agree with benskiing. However, beware of those gudgeon screws if they haven't been out in a while. They're stainless and tend to fuse with the aluminum backing plate in the transom due to the dissimilar metals. They may be difficult to unscrew, and you don't want to shear any off (a terrible PITA). If they're very hard to turn, you may want to leave well enough alone, since you don't have serious leaks. And if you do get them off, I'd suggest using some anti-seize lubricant or a product made for dissimilar metal application. Finally, I'd recommend 3M 5200 Marine Adhesive Sealnt rather than silicone....it adheres and holds up to UV much better in my opinion. Good luck!

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi

I saw some 5200 yesterday and thought that might be a better choice too...since rattle n' hum mentioned it, I'll take it as a sign and go for it. I'll definetly do the pilons since I want to do everything I can to keep those hulls free of soft spots and in good shape. (Keep meaning to check my spelling on "pilons"). As far as the gudgeons go I'll try them but I'll be real carefull, as stated she's pretty watertight...Drain plug housings? Yeah, there're original, I guess that means they need possible replacement? I'll give them a good look over too. I'll wait for a warm day, things have a tendancy to snap and shear in the cold, plus the sealant needs warmer conditions too.

If it wasn't for this site we really wouldn't be as far ahead of the game with the refitting and upgrading of our boat. So once again...THANKS!!

Come on SPRING!!

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1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

Pylon

gottit, thanx .

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1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S