Silicone under reinstalling bow rail?
 

Straight forward question I think. Want to take off the bow rail to wax by the attachment points on the boat. Boat was neglected and needs a proper wax job. Tried by hand but that isn’t cutting it. So do I need to silicone the screw holes when reinstalling? Thanks in advance

Personally, I try to keep silicone away from marine applications for a variety of reasons. It leaves a residue that is virtually impossible to remove, breaks down easily... etc. Butyl tape is a great product to re-bed deck hardware like you are planning.

I wouldn’t , not a real need to .

Ok, guess that answers my question. I’ll just clean it up and reinstall. And I meant 4200/4000 when I said silicone. In case that matters

I would bed the screws with LifeSeal. You don’t need an adhesive. Depends what is underneath is is cored with wood?

4200

I would take Raybo’s advise over mine.
If the backing is wood , you’ll want to keep water out . I think just bed the screws, not the plate??

I don’t see any reason NOT to

the fact that only screws hold the railing down is why you want to use 4200. to aid in keeping the rail secure and to limit water getting in especially if its a foam filled boat

4000

I prefer butyl tape for bedding stuff like that. I guess in a pinch then Sikaflex 291 would be a close second choice.

^^^^THIS.

Plus, add a chamfer to the screw holes so whatever you use will have more volume to expand if the joint moves at all.

What's under the holes? Is it a cabin? Are you sure they're just screws into fiberglass? Mine are long through bolts with nuts on the back. Leaks will drip water into the cabin along the hull side interior shelf. I sealed them all with 4200. Even if they're just into fiberglass they may go into a core, in which case you still want them well sealed.