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Lightly round just the sharp edge of the spout at the end of the caulking tube. Push the slit-end of the straw onto the caulking
tube just past the end of the slits. Carefully tape to leave no gaps for the sealant to ooze out. Pinch the end of the straw to
make it flat so it can slide into the Deck groove. If it comes out of the groove while you are applying sealant, take a paper
towel and pinch it again to help it go back into the groove.
Adding weights to the deck will help hold it in place on the towel. You will need both hands to apply the sealant. Insert the
straw-nozzle fully into the groove. As you dispense sealant,
let it fill the groove from the bottom-up
until it is just below
the height of the Deck Liner’s edge as you pull the nozzle along.
Don’t try to do this in a continuous movement. A “stitching” move where you stop, letting the sealant build up then back up
a fraction of an inch and let it fill again works well. High spots will happen. They can be scraped out later before you bond
the Deck to the Hull. No hurry, take as long as you need. If sealant starts oozing out of a hole in the tape you may need to
tape over or make a new nozzle and start again.
This bead of sealant will work. It is continuous with no gaps. It is just below the height of the Liner’s side of the groove
and well below the edge of the Deck. In preparation to attach the Deck to the Hull, have 5 or 6 pre-cut pieces of tape
nearby. Remember to tape down any loose wires in the deck. As before, engage the Transom first while holding up the
other end of the Deck.
