Super Jet filling the gap under the rails

[alberta guy]

I'm in the middle of redoing my SN hull. After seeing how wet my foam was as i defoamed it I noticed that under the rails before the bond line all the way around my ski there is between 1/16 and 1/8 inch gap. The ski is just a lake cruiser without footholds. I'm not doing any reinforcing. There will also be hull drains installed. Should I do something to fill it?

 

[Dalton]

When I gutted the tray on my '90 superjet the only area that was damp was directly around one of the inserts for the rideplate bolts. That seems like the most likely culprit for water intrusion in general after the exhaust outlet and where the exhaust passes through the bulkhead. Since you aren't overly concerned about strength (lake cruiser) I'd run a bead of silicone or 5200 down the gap on each side just for peace of mind.

 

[Quinc]

My 91 SN was soaked all the way around the bond line. Seal it.

 

[McDog]

Epoxy thickened with microballoons or cabosil will do the trick.

 

[Vumad]

Epoxy thickened with microballoons or cabosil will do the trick.

I second that. Silicone, and even 5200, will break down. If you choose not to use epoxy, at least use 5200. Silicone is weak.