dory seam filler?

[bart]

I'm finishing up a swampscott dory and have run into a problem I'm sure some of you have too. I put on the cedar planks shiplap and even though I have plenty of lap I still have gaps on the inside where the planks don't come together tight. I want to keep the sand and dirt out of the cracks. I've thought about filling it with bedding compound but it's soft enough to hold on to the sand. I concidered 3M 4200 but am concerned that it will glue the planks together and not allow for expansion and contraction and thus crack the planks over time. What's your view?

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

What about Latex Caulk?
It's soft, easily removed,paintable and will expand and contract with the wood.

[bart]

That's one I haven't thought of.

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

Jamestown Distributors has all kinds of marine caulk like Sikaflex and Boat Life but I see no reason why regular caulk won't work for your purpose and it's probably cheaper. ;)

I may be wrong though, so just in case,here's Jamestown Distributor's website. :D

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/

[Cullen T.M. McGough]

As long as you feel good about the seams being tight where the planks meet, why not just plain 'ol seam compound? Petit makes some decent stuff.

If application is going to be difficult with such a stiff material as seam compound, I also vote for sikaflex. (Keel a rag wet with mineral spirits with you, if the inside of the boat is fancy. Sikaflex tends to go everywhere. The boss sez if you're working with sikaflex and somebody calls you on the phone- they get it in their ear.)

[bart]

What is seam compound made of? Does it come in different colors and stay flexable? I'm a little worried that latex caulk might get water behind it and make a rot situation. I'll check out Jamestown.