www.iFourWinns.com

As some of you may be aware, I installed a set of docking lights on my 260 Horizon over the winter.


I now want to seal the housing to the hull. I also plan on installing some thru the hull tips this spring. Both applications are above the water line but will more than likely get splashed.
I went to West Marine today and got totally confused. What should I use and why? 3M has a line of products, plus I saw something called "life caulk" and then some different brands of marine silicone.

chances are I will never remove the items after they are glued into place so I thought about buying the 5200 but.... Let's get some opinions first.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

I'd go with 3M 4200. That way if you ever had to remove the components, it would be possible (in theory).

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I agree with the 4200, but I assume you're talking about sealing it underneath the stainless bezel - not around the outside of it (yuck).

Life Seal is a product from BoatLife that is approved by FW for under-the-waterline use. I'd still use 4200 or 5200 instead, but when my dealer had to R&R my drain plug fitting they used Life Seal.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Thanks Guys! I guess I will go with the 4200 stuff (it's $23 a tube with the taxes up here) How long does it last once opened? Unfortunately my exhaust tips got turned away from the border because they had a wrong postal code on them so they may not get installed for another month or so but I want to button up the lights soon.

Mike - I am just going to caulk the plastic housing that gets screwed to the hull! I wouldn't want to mess up that nice shiny stainless.



Here you can see the plastic light housing that I want to seal to the hull. The stainless sits on top of this with a gasket so you can access the bulb. This is why I figure I will never have to take them off later.

_________________
Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Good plan. I'd remove the housings and caulk where they contact the hull so that the seal isn't just on the surface.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Can you change the bulb easily without removing the housing from the hull? If so you can use 4200 but if not I'd use the life seal stuff. 4200 and 5200 are both sealants but they are also adhesives, 5200 being permenant (almost) and 4200 is removable (usually). I used 4200 on a couple of jobs and it's got a pretty strong bond, I might not use it for something that has to be removed occasionally. You probably don't need an adhesive in that application.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Sounds like a West Marine price. Check at Home Depot.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

Even our WalMart carries it. I've found WalMart's "marine department" varies by location, but if they carry it in Kansas they should carry it anywhere. Also, they sell it in smaller vinyl tubes, so you don't have to buy a gun tube and then throw 3/4 of it away.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic