What should I use to seal screw holes in a new bilge deck?

[Sundancer]

I just yanked out the deck that holds my batteries and hot water tank. I've got it ready to go back in and I've drilled the holes for the battery trays. I've read all about sealing the holes and can't figure out what I should use!! I HAVE silicone and it looks like that will out last me and the life of the boat. Using 4200 seems like a better solution and there is boatlife that is even better. Am I over analyzing this? Is silicone OK or should I spring for 4200? If I order it tonight, it should be here by Friday when I'll be back to begin assembly!

Thanks for your advice!

 

[SCORPIO]

I think I used 4200 but the Boatlife, Lifecaulk would be just as good or better. I hate silicone with a passion, it gets dirty and nothing sticks to it and its hard to clean off if you have to. Use a good sealant and forget about it after that.

 

[Quint4]

4200

 

[Lazy Daze]

I'm a proponent of the BoatLife products - but 4200 is a very good product, too. One of the reasons I keep BoatLife stuff in my garage is because it's a more 'universal' product as it can be used where UV will be present, too. However, in this case, UV is not an issue. Also, given that 'where' the sealant will be (sandwiched between the board and the bilge shelf?), and that you have silicone on hand, I would just use that. I think for this application, there's no reason to go out and buy something else. Not that 4200 or BoatLife aren't "better" products in general, but in this application I don't think it's going to make a difference.

 

[Sundancer]

Thanks a bunch! It's just sitting on the stringers. They were dry when I pulled the bolts to remove the deck. Looks like that's what Sea Ray used in construction. The PO didn't seal screw holes where battery trays sit. If I get 10 years I'll be happy! I did pour some Bilgekote down the 4 holes I drilled for the bolts holding the deck to the stringers. Can't wait to put it back together. New hot water tank going in with 3 new batteries.