Re-caulking/Replacing 2004 340 engine compartment vent covers

[mrsrobinson]

I'm not sure what you call them, I've always called them the engine compartment vent covers. They cover the vents that allow air to enter the engine compartment at the stern of the boat on both sides.

I looked at a 2004 340 today, showed well, except it looks like these have been replaced, removed and reinstalled, re-caulked, etc. The caulk is thick, not smooth and has black midllew like stains in it. My eye was immediately drawn to it. My buyers broker noticed it as well and commented on how bad it looks. He said they were probably leaking at some point and were re-caulked by a DIYer. The caulk overlaps onto the edge of the vent cover and looks, well, cheap.

Has anyone had to do this before? If yes is it a case where it will never look the same again once they are removed and reinstalled? Also, is the black I see mildew? Feels odd if it is since it gets full sun exposure. I am wondering it's it's dirt/grime.

Thanks

 

[sbw1]

It's probably dirt, grime and mildew. However, if you have the time and energy to to do it correctly, fairly straightforward to dig out a layer and redo the caulking. This was actually one of my pet peeves about the way SR designs boats. They build nice decks and hulls and then caulk a bunch of plastic parts onto the main structures because they cut corners. Building molds that encompass vents and other elements into a single structure is more expensive than adding details made from plastic that can be caulked into place. Problem with that approach is the plastic changes colors from UV exposure and parts fall off in rough water due to shoddy manufacturing practices. I'll see if I have a pic of the proper way to design a vent that does not crack, change colors, have grimy caulk or fall off.

 

[sbw1]

After more than a decade of use the hull vents still look the same as when the boat was brand new in 2004. Good design saves buyers money on maintenance and adds value when it is time to sell.

 

[mrsrobinson]

I had to replace the port one on my 1995 330DA. I could never get the replacement one to fit just right. I had to use more caulk then I wanted to to get it to look right. I always noticed it, others did not unless I pointed it out.

On this 2004 it's a flat surface you see right away. And a long seam on both sides of the cover. It's a wide gap as well which leads me to believe that the installer could not get a good tight flush mount.

 

[KevinC]

I'm not sure what you call them, I've always called them the engine compartment vent covers. They cover the vents that allow air to enter the engine compartment at the stern of the boat on both sides.

I looked at a 2004 340 today, showed well, except it looks like these have been replaced, removed and reinstalled, re-caulked, etc. The caulk is thick, not smooth and has black midllew like stains in it. My eye was immediately drawn to it. My buyers broker noticed it as well and commented on how bad it looks. He said they were probably leaking at some point and were re-caulked by a DIYer. The caulk overlaps onto the edge of the vent cover and looks, well, cheap.

Has anyone had to do this before? If yes is it a case where it will never look the same again once they are removed and reinstalled? Also, is the black I see mildew? Feels odd if it is since it gets full sun exposure. I am wondering it's it's dirt/grime.

Thanks

The original mounting would barely show any caulking.

If they became loose they may have been removed reattached. I really doubt they were resealed because of a leak.

I had this done on my 340SDA when I first got it because the vent cover was loose - I had the dealer do it (in hind sight I should have done it myself) before delivery and they loaded up on the silicone to the extent the vent did not even sit flush. I had them remove it again after several complaints and then they filled the entire seam to the top and even got silicone on the non-skid. I am still removing it today.

Regardless of the above if they are loose or ugly they should be able to be removed unless they used 5200. The vent covers can then be cleaned and reinstalled but take note that if they are broken they are not available and will need to be fabricated at a high cost - therefore if you want it addressed I would leave it in the hands of the seller - but done to your approval.

-Kevin

 

[mrsrobinson]

Kevin, this is exactly what I saw. They are not loose though, they're tight. I've been looking at images of other 340s online since I got home and can't even see caulk in the seam. I keep telling myself it's not a big deal, but for what I'm paying for a boat, I want things right.

 

[Jon Paul]

The corners of both vent covers are coming loose. The rest of the cover appears tight. How hard are they to remove to re-attach? What suggestions on adhesive to use?

 

[boatmailster]

The corners of both vent covers are coming loose. The rest of the cover appears tight. How hard are they to remove to re-attach? What suggestions on adhesive to use?

They are probably plastic fasteners holding it in place ( i think sea ray calls them xmas tree fasteners). Removing them may cause old vent to break or break off piece holding faster in place. You may consider using stainless screw to reattach corner (do it on both sides so looks factory). Countersink hole, use small flat head screw and should look good. If you like you may install screw cover color matching your boat
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...BbZ0qFFczqawjVoDE7WHlq954WepKcEwaArlQEALw_wcB

 

[KevinC]

They are probably plastic fasteners holding it in place ( i think sea ray calls them xmas tree fasteners). Removing them may cause old vent to break or break off piece holding faster in place. You may consider using stainless screw to reattach corner (do it on both sides so looks factory). Countersink hole, use small flat head screw and should look good. If you like you may install screw cover color matching your boat
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...BbZ0qFFczqawjVoDE7WHlq954WepKcEwaArlQEALw_wcB

These vent covers are just glued on. There are no fasteners.

-Kevin

 

[Groucho]

These vent covers are just glued on. There are no fasteners.

-Kevin

Speaking of vent covers, I saw someone had Sunbrella covers that snapped into place over the vents for when the boat was sitting. I get tired of evicting the spiders and cleaning the droppings Do you know of someone who makes then and or has a pattern?

 

[KevinC]

Speaking of vent covers, I saw someone had Sunbrella covers that snapped into place over the vents for when the boat was sitting. I get tired of evicting the spiders and cleaning the droppings Do you know of someone who makes then and or has a pattern?

Not off hand, but I could certainly make something like that. I would need more details. Not sure how the cover would seal to keep the spiders out - would not they just crawl under the cover. PM or call me if you like.

-Kevin

 

[Groucho]

Just a passing thought...I think I saw someones picture of it here. I was hoping they might chime in. From what I remember it had 3 snaps on the top and a couple on the bottom and it looked to seal enough they might go somewhere else...

 

[JVM225]

Not off hand, but I could certainly make something like that. I would need more details. Not sure how the cover would seal to keep the spiders out - would not they just crawl under the cover. PM or call me if you like.

-Kevin

Are you still working, or did they shut you down?

 

[Korkie]

I used Boat Life - Life Seal to redo mine 2 seasons ago. Easy to work with and still looks like new.

 

[KevinC]

Are you still working, or did they shut you down?

Working

-Kevin

 

[firecadet613]

I used Boat Life - Life Seal to redo mine 2 seasons ago. Easy to work with and still looks like new.

I'm about to redo mine and was tempted to use LifeSeal. I ended up buying Sikaflex 295UV after doing a search on here...hoping it goes on easily!

 

[outobie]

Be sure to mask off the area on all sides before you calk. I just used blue painters tape. That way you don’t get caulk all over the place. As soon as your done caulking, remove the tape before the caulk dries

that will leave your lines looking good

 

[Henry Boyd]

On the 280 they were “glued” on. One side literally fell off. The other side cracked. As the 280 had just gone out of production I ordered a set as replacements.

As an aside, they are plastic, but black. The vent covers are to be coated with gelcoat to match your boat.

When I took the cracked one off (knowing the other side came off easily) I tore a chunk of gelcoat off the hull.