Caulking Toerails

[Chris Anderson]

I've gotten a great deal of fantastic advice on this board about prepping my boat for the up coming season. As I am finishing the touch up of my teak, I'm wondering if it is correct to caulk along the toe rails on the deck and along the hull. The previous owner kept the boat in great condition - and I see no signs of caulk in these areas. If the answer is yes, what type of caulk do you suggest.

Thanks,
Chris Anderson
CD25D
Michigan

[fred]

I've gotten a great deal of fantastic advice on this board about prepping my boat for the up coming season. As I am finishing the touch up of my teak, I'm wondering if it is correct to caulk along the toe rails on the deck and along the hull. The previous owner kept the boat in great condition - and I see no signs of caulk in these areas. If the answer is yes, what type of caulk do you suggest.

Thanks,
Chris Anderson
CD25D
Michigan

If you do this you want something that sticks, but not too well. Sikaflex is a good choice. Silicone should not be used, as it causes fisheyes in varnish and paint. 3m's 5200 is just too strong an adhesive for this, you'll never get it off. Plus it doesn't hold up all that well in the sun. Boat life is a good choice, but tends to cure rather slowly, making it easy for dust and dirt to get in it.

Be sure and tape it off, rather than just going at it with a caulking gun.



fred@hotsheet.com

[John R.]

I've gotten a great deal of fantastic advice on this board about prepping my boat for the up coming season. As I am finishing the touch up of my teak, I'm wondering if it is correct to caulk along the toe rails on the deck and along the hull. The previous owner kept the boat in great condition - and I see no signs of caulk in these areas. If the answer is yes, what type of caulk do you suggest.

Thanks,
Chris Anderson
CD25D
Michigan

Chris,

Based on your description the answer is no. The caulk is applied to the area between the deck and the toerail before it is attached. When the rail is screwed in place excess caulking compound will spread out from under the joining faces of the trim and deck. That excess caulk is then removed and cleaned up leaving a seal between the two surfaces. You should only be able to see a very slight line (1/16" or less)of the caulk between the parts after all the excess is cleaned up. Do not run any kind of a bead along the joint after the parts are assembled. The finished job should look like no caulk is evident.

It is easiest to use a latex squeege about 3/4" wide to clean up the excess caulk and then use the appropriate solvent with a wood handle throw away brush to do the final cleaning. Trim the bristles of the brush to about 3/8" long. Dip the brush in the solvent and brush around the parts using a paper towel or rag to wipe up the disolved caulking and solvent. Then do a final wipe up with a solvent dampened rag or towel. The job should then look perfect just like it was done at the factory.

Hope this is of help to you.