- 1). Know the materials you're working with. The sealing process will depend on the type of materials that make up the core, or foundation, material of the boat. If you're dealing with a wood core, unscrew the railings and take a look at the core. If it doesn't seem like sealant has been used, you may want to unscrew all of the railings and start sealing from there. Aluminum boats are especially susceptible to leaks around the rivets, so check those first.
- 2). Choose the correct sealant. Boat sealants come in three main categories. Polysulfide can be used with a variety of materials and creates a strong seal, but it can harden and split plastic. Polyurethane is a permanent sealant and doesn't take as long to set as polysulfide. It's a good choice for sealing the hull to the deck. Silicone is a more temporary sealant, but is useful for binding two different types of metal together and is good for plastic. It should not be used below the waterline.
- 3). "Bed" the core. For sealing around bolts or other attachments on boats with a balsa wood core, remove the bolt and drill down into the hole removing as much of the balsa wood as you can. Fill the hole with an epoxy/resin filler, working quickly to prevent the resin from hardening. After it cures, you can sand down the area and replace the bolt. Epoxy/resin filler is also good for sealing aluminum boat rivets.
- 4). Apply wood sealant. If you have a wooden boat, applying a wood sealer is the best way to keep out moisture and dirt. Apply a layer of wood oil with a brush until the oil no longer takes. Let it dry for two weeks and wipe it down with a rag soaked in acetone. Now apply the sealant with a paint brush and wipe away the excess with a rag. Repeat sealant application until you achieve a uniform finish.
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