Sealant for stainless bolts

[spirit]

Since stainless corrodes when it is not in contact with oxygen, what kind of sealant should be used for the bolt of a stainless bow eye that goes through three inches of stem wood? I know how to protect the wood by sealing the hole with epoxy, but I don't know how to protect the bolt...

[Thorne]

I think that most folks would use a flexible polyurethane sealant like 4200 or Vulken116, as the bow eye can take a lot of shock and motion. Possibly use of a standard bedding compound might also recommended, as the hole in the wood sounds like it is coated with epoxy, so you are just trying to keep water out of the hole.

Issues with crevice corrosion could be dealt with by pulling the bolt for inspection or replacement every so often.

I'm assuming this is for a larger boat that lives in salt water, so let's see what the more experienced folks say.