Screwing handrails with gasket? Mending the hull surface?

[juergen]

Now with the boat in the hall I think about what I have to do. Some immediately noticed:

1. What are the handles connected to the cabin roof, what kind of gasket material is that? It seems to be the same material that was used for sealing the windows. It is black, sticky and runs in noses. Is that still the original material? Is it necessary to screw the handrails with a gasket?

2. How can scratches in the hull best be treated like in the photo?

3. With which lacquer should the white line long the hull be best repaired?

Sorry for the bumpy translation, using Google translator. Looking forward to your advice.

Regards,

Hans-Jürgen

Attachments:

[Stephen Pimley]

Hello Hans-Jürgen,


(a)   For the attachment medium - to ensure a waterproof seal, I use Butyl Tape.  Here is an example on eBay.  Have a look at these threads as well.  www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-445058.html   -    www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?503657-Butyl-tape-or-sealant-for-windows

(b)   For scratches, depending on how deep they are you can sand down into the gelcoat, start with some coarse sandpaper, gradually becoming finer up to something like 1600 grade.  Once the scratch has been sanded out you can use a high performance polishing compound.  I used Farecla G3 for mine.  Good results.

(c)   For the handrails, strip them off, sand them down and varnish them many times. The wood is beautiful and will come up well.

For re-attaching I recommend 'insert nuts'  - much stronger than attaching by screws. The big advantage is that you can easily unscrew them again many times into the future for maintenance, revarnishing etc. These are the parts I used - from Screwfix:

M8 Large Flat Washers Pk100 - part no 758FT

Insert Nut Type D M6 x 20 PK50 - part no 61859

Cross Dowel Bolt M6 x 50mmPk50 - part no 78664  

Backing pads for extra strength and reinforcement could be made cheaply from cuts of plastic chopping-boards, available from pound shops, etc.  No danger of them rotting if you should develop a leak either.

Don't forget to use the butyl tape each side and you will have a strong and leakproof handrail.  Good luck!

[juergen]

Hello Stephen,
Thank you very much!
Looks very nice and professionel, I will try my best.

[planktos]

I think the handle don’t have a backing plate as standard so an upgrade like that with big washers is a good idea.

Although, curse you, as I’ve now got another job on my to-do list ;-)