Debating the best approach for underwater sealant application after my leaky thru-hull incident

Last week, I dealt with a persistent leak from a thru-hull fitting on a client's sailboat. One school of thought insists on using paste sealants applied liberally before assembly, arguing they fill gaps better over time. The other camp swears by liquid anaerobic compounds, claiming they cure more uniformly and resist vibration. I've seen paste hold up for years in static applications, but liquid formulas saved me on a high-speed runabout last season. Now I'm facing the same issue and can't decide which method to trust. What's your take on this sealant showdown? Have you had similar experiences where one technique clearly outperformed the other?

3 comments

3 Comments

nguyen.wesley1mo ago

Paste vs. liquid sealants? Choosing wrong is how you end up with a new swimming pool in your bilge.

lewis.seth1mo ago

Man, that through hull leak situation sounds frustrating as hell, especially when you've personally seen both methods work in different scenarios. It's enough to make you second guess everything when you're staring at the fitting and tube of sealant. Your experience with the paste holding for years but the liquid saving the runabout really captures the whole dilemma. There's nothing worse than that nagging doubt when you're trying to choose the right tool for the job.

umad511mo ago

Wait, you used paste on a thru-hull? After seeing what vibration did on that runabout, I wouldn't dare. That's just asking for trouble.