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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Mounting a jib track

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/19/2007 : 08:02:06

I need to replace one of my jib tracks, and I'd like to make sure that the boat remains watertight. The original track was very watertight. It appeared to be bolted on through a strip of sticky silicon. What would you recommend for the new strip? A bead of silicon goo?

Thanks,

Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2007 : 08:48:14

For something like a jib track I'd use 3M 5200. If you want a bedding/sealant that will release, 3M 101 is the best I've found.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2007 : 09:46:58

I would love to hear an explanation of why you need to replace it, If I had a bad spot, I would be inclined to deal with the spot rather than take on the whole thing.

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2007 : 15:34:09

Bruce,

I replace the t-track down the whole Starboard side of the boat (Capri 25) The track was 14'-0" long and I am sure that you will not be dealing with anything close to this length.

First I will point out that it will be hard to find the right track replacement. I thought our old track was made by Schaefer Hardware. the track at the length I was dealing with put the holes towards the aft end of the boat 1/4" off. I just filled the old holes and drilled new ones.

I bought the t-track from www.marine.com They were the only company that had the track online for sale in the length I needed, but the shipping for this over sized item was far from reasonable. Marine.com placed my order but it took a couple of phone calls to them and Schaefer to find out where my new track was in the shipping world. After a month I finally got it shipped. I don't think it had to deal with Marine. com but just the odd size of order and where it was being shipped.

Anyway to your question, I searched for the best way of putting the t-track down and it being a solid water tight bond. I didn't ever want to have to remove this track again. It took us (3) 250lb guys more than 4 hours to get the track to bend to the hull shape. After reading up on 5200, and all of the other products, I went with Byutal tape. I just went down to the local Pep boys and bought a 20' roll of the stuff. I would suggest to do the install on a cold day, as the heat of the Oklahoma weather the day we installed the track made the tape a real sticky mess, but we got the track on.

I have had the track on the boat for over two years now and I have no leaks at all from the install. I really think that this is the material that Catalina used for our boat when new, because when I removed the track I found a thin black like gasket or strip of the stuff on the bottom of the track and on the deck.

One think to remember if you use the 5200 is that its not going to come off the boat without allot of prying or damage. another reason I used the tape over the caulk is that the bottom of the track where it beds to the deck is con caved. I think it would be really hard to get a good seal with the curve of the bottom of the track.

And my last note is that the tape is allot easier to clean up then a bunch of sticky caulk everywhere. My2 cents

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 01/19/2007 : 19:43:03

"if you use the 5200 is that its not going to come off the boat without allot of prying or damage."

If you're working on something that can be easily heated, (like a jib track) you'll find that 5200 reverts to 'silly putty' when it reaches a certain temperature. For a part that has a lot of surface area, it's difficult to get it hot enough.

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2007 : 08:32:12

Why not call Catalina and see what they use today? They install jib tracks every day and I'm sure they aren't screwing around with caulk guns and miles fo masking tape. I'm sure they have a tape of some kind on a roll and I'm sure they will sell you some or tell you where to get some.
818-884-7700
If you leave a message with the parts department they will call you back.
Oh yeah Bruce, I have an old track if you want to replace just a piece. Drop me an email.
The rocket scientists that removed my track bent it in a U shape. Broke it in half.
I bought two new pieces but the other scientist at West Marine only ordered one piece. I had the privilege of paying for shipping twice. I was really happy.

Edited by - Happy D on 01/20/2007 08:36:59

boatgt
Navigator

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117 Posts

Response Posted - 01/20/2007 : 09:19:23

Bruce,
I figured you would have had the track installed by now. I guess too much sailing not enough maintenance time? I have used 5200 on some short tracks. Just watch how much you use, knowing it will come out the sides when the track is tightened down.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.