Best hatch sealant?

[Bigjim]

I’ve been doing some research trying to select the best sealant for a new hatch I’m installing. There are lots of articles but there’s no consensus on what’s the best.

I’m installing a Vetus vent hatch in the deck above my head. The deck in fiberglass that may have a plywood core. The hatch has an aluminum frame.

So, I may use machine screws with nuts or stainless self tapping screws to attach it

With those parameters what sealants should I consider?

[NYSail]

Well first off I personally would not just screw into the deck. I would put your template down, pre-drill oversized holes and fill with epoxy. If you just want to screw them in you could put a release agent on the screws and set them in place.... when epoxy dries I screw and you’re set. Then when putting vent down I would seal with butyl tape.

Good luck!

[slug]

Originally Posted by Bigjim

I’ve been doing some research trying to select the best sealant for a new hatch I’m installing. There are lots of articles but there’s no consensus on what’s the best.

I’m installing a Vetus vent hatch in the deck above my head. The deck in fiberglass that may have a plywood core. The hatch has an aluminum frame.

So, I may use machine screws with nuts or stainless self tapping screws to attach it

With those parameters what sealants should I consider?

Hatch is seated on a gasket , fasteners are bedded with sika flex

The gasket is made of adhesive back , one side , 4 or 6 mm thick foam tape

Similar to household weather stripping. Tape

Many times lewmar supplies this tape with the new hatch

One band of tape outside perimeter , one band on tape inside perimeter of hatch flange