Steve O

New Member
Aug 28, 2018
7
Boat Info
280 Sea Ray Sundancer, 2014
Engines
450 Mercuiser w/Bravo III Drives
First time posting and apologize for any repetition.

I have a 2014 Sundancer 280 and in the process of replacing my shifter or throttle cables. As I was pulling the old cable out, it got stuck in what I'm calling a "gob of silicone," I have no idea if there is a better way to explain this. The silicone is unreachable, therefore can't break it apart. So my question is - what is the purpose of the silicone and why is it covering most of the cables and wiring between the bilge and helm?

There is another route that I can use for the cables that I am going to take that bypasses the glob of silicone.

I'm just wondering what the purpose is and the importance of have so much silicone covering some wires and cables between the bilge and helm.

Thanks

Steve in Florida
 
That is to keep the engine room gases from showing up in your air conditioner in the cabin when the blower is pulling air from wherever it can, including cracks and bilges.
A huge difference between 90's+ boats and any prior to that is the distinct effort to isolate what goes on in the engine room from what goes on in the cabin.
My silicone "blob" was breached when the PO decided to run some stuff through that opening. When I got the boat, we could go for a cruise, come home, leave the A/C on, and the next morning, all you could smell in the salon was engine exhaust. Mercury, Sea Ray, Marine Max, and I finally discovered the hole where the silicone blob had been pulled away. It was at the side of the helm station, behind the sub woofer. At the recommendation of Mercury, we re-caulked it. Now, you can step into my quarters anytime, 17 years later, and it smells like.......nothing.
 
There is another route that I can use for the cables that I am going to take that bypasses the glob of silicone.
Two issue with taking a different route. A) length. Cables may not reach if a different path is taken. B) whats explained above. The silicone is used to seal pass-thru's between the engine bay and any passenger area. So you would have to seal it much the same, gobs of silicone.
 
That is to keep the engine room gases from showing up in your air conditioner in the cabin when the blower is pulling air from wherever it can, including cracks and bilges.
A huge difference between 90's+ boats and any prior to that is the distinct effort to isolate what goes on in the engine room from what goes on in the cabin.
My silicone "blob" was breached when the PO decided to run some stuff through that opening. When I got the boat, we could go for a cruise, come home, leave the A/C on, and the next morning, all you could smell in the salon was engine exhaust. Mercury, Sea Ray, Marine Max, and I finally discovered the hole where the silicone blob had been pulled away. It was at the side of the helm station, behind the sub woofer. At the recommendation of Mercury, we re-caulked it. Now, you can step into my quarters anytime, 17 years later, and it smells like.......nothing.


Thank you 370Dancer. Finally an answer to the question I have been searching for. It now makes total sense why the blob of silicone is there. Needless to say, I won't be messing with the silicone, or if I do, make sure it's replaced. Again thank you 370Dancer.
 
Two issue with taking a different route. A) length. Cables may not reach if a different path is taken. B) whats explained above. The silicone is used to seal pass-thru's between the engine bay and any passenger area. So you would have to seal it much the same, gobs of silicone.

Totally understood and thank you. All makes sense.
 

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