Brass scupper tube install

[MarkR]

John 123

I replace the tubes in my '75 Sceptre but used Life-Caulk instead of 5200. It's more of a caulking than a glue.

I expect to do the next tube replacement and want to be able to get the brass out as easily as the first time.

[bigeasy1]

Thanks Mark,
I kind of wondered the same thing,that if I had to replace them,how would I be able to easily get them out.
Originally,I planned on using epoxy to bed them in with,but thought it might be a b--tch to get them out if I had to change them.
I know 5200 is also permanent,so I've been giving some thought to Sika-Flex 291 lot.I use it quite a bit,Its a polyurethane like 5200,but a little less permanent.
I'll look into the life caulk,thanks for the info.

One advantage I have,is that the boat will only see freshwater (the Great Lakes)

[McGillicuddy]

I think Mark makes a good point. A poly-sulfide like Life Caulk definitely merits consideration especially if you're thinking you might do this again in 10 or 15 years. Lord knows I won't want to compete with 5200 when I'm older. I like the adhesion qualities of 5200 but maybe not its permanence in this application. As far as 3M goes, maybe 4200 is more appropriate. Bushwacker mentioned he'd used Life Caulk the 1st time he changed his scuppers. All we're really doing is creating a seal between fiberglass and brass, right? Get the flare right and tight and I guess that a quality sealant should suffice. The Sika-flex 291 LOT definitely fits the bill... heck of a lot more economical than the 3M products.

[Bushwacker]

One advantage I have,is that the boat will only see freshwater (the Great Lakes)

That may not be an advantage. Wood rots quicker in freshwater than in salt water. I've know old timers with wood boats that put rock salt in the bilge to make sure that any rainwater that got into the bilge became salty!

As for bedding the scupper tubes, 4200 or Sikaflex might be a good compromise. Life Caulk is pretty good stuff and will even cure underwater, but I still ended up with quite a bit of rot in the wood blocks and a significant leak after about 25 years. They also make stuff now that will attack 5200, but might be a challenge to get it in around the scupper tubes!

[BigLew]

Pardon my 2¢ worth but....
5200 is a great product. When it is used, it is often too good a product. A very good rule for using 5200 is to ask yourself, "Am I ever going to want to take this apart?" If the answer is yes, you might want to find something else.

IMHO, with regards to the scuppers, if it were me I would drill an oversized hole, put tape on the backside and tape on the outside covering the entire hole. Then I would punch a small hole through the tape at the top of the hole and using a large syringe I would fill the hole with epoxy. Let it cure. Drill it to the proper size. Put plenty of caulk on the scupper and seat it in the hole. That way, when you pull the boat you can check/change the caulk. No water should get to that transom. Just my 2¢.

[bigeasy1]

Bushwacker,
you're right, wood does rot faster in fresh water,than it does in saltwater.
I had meant to say that the brass tubes would be more likely to corrode quicker in salt water than fresh.

As for changing them,I figure at my age,they should last me plenty long enough,and if not,I'll have someone else do the work.
After that,it's the kids problem.

[McGillicuddy]

I talked to a project manager down at one of the local boat yards today and ran the scupper sealant by him. He said Sika-flex 291 is what they use for sealing all through-hulls and anything that might need to come out someday. You were right in your thinking - Sorry about suggesting the 5200, what was I thinking? Your kids would've killed me.

[seafari25]

That may not be an advantage. Wood rots quicker in freshwater than in salt water. I've know old timers with wood boats that put rock salt in the bilge to make sure that any rainwater that got into the bilge became salty!

You're right about that Denny

I've been changing planks on the lobster boat and she's in alot worse shape above the waterline than below. The washboards are also pretty rough in spots due to rainwater sitting ontop.

Now I'm no oldtimer but I do put salt in the bilge...but only when stored in winter. In the summer I don't have to worry about it because salt water comes in almost as quickly as it goes out

here are a couple of pics of the old girl
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[image][/image]