Sealer for Rudder Housing?

[Zahger]

Just wondering what you all would recommend to seal around the rudder housing?

All input is greatly appreciated!

[Alanhod]

[Mario G]

I used 3M 5200 with great resalts just becareful not to get it any where you don't want it.

[TravisJ]

I replaced my rudder thru-hull assembly when I moved the boat in 2006. I used 3M 5200. It's been sitting in a slip ever since, without a leak (from there, lol).

[gregcrawford]

I used 4200. Just use plenty of it so that it will squish out everywhere, and don't tighten the through hull nut down too tight.

When I was working on mine, I noticed the through hull was wiggling around and it kind of freaked me out. So even though the PO said it didn't leak, I took it out. Turns out it wiggled a little bit because the factory had used a lot of 5200 around it and it was essentially rubber mounted! So I put it back the same way. It has been in the slip for a month now and been sailed four times with no leaks.

[Alanhod]

[gregcrawford]

I agree. I had a bronze through hull and I machined a delrin bushing for it. I planned to replace the plastic through hull with the bronze. I also had thought about replacing the rubber hose with PVC pipe as others had done. But then I thought about it a little more. As you said, it had worked for 34 years on my boat, why monkey with a good thing? I cleaned everything up well and ordered a piece of 1-7/8" ID marine exhaust hose to replace the original, which had cracks in it, was hard as a rock, but didn't leak. The original plastic through hull was in good shape with no cracks and didn't appear to be brittle, so back in it went.
Hopefully the new sealant and hose will last half as long!