Why do they do this?

While many manufacturers hastily put boats together, it's part of the realm of things marine. Complaining here or posting suggestions here about how to build a "better" boat will not do any good. If you can't do the job, then perhaps you need to learn how to do the job or find another profession. Silicone comes off quite easily with a razor knife and soapy water and leaves no marks with proper protection as Capt J suggested.

CR CRUISER, fair call. I can see silicone been used, but Sika... That stuff is nasty. Well at least they didn't use epoxy glue.

To make your work easier, would it be better for the builder to screw and use silicone? Or would a man hole be better option, so you don’t have to fiddle around with taking the instrument out? Cheers

Far

well
i need to argee with cr

why is it so hard to design service panels in the boat
not only in the dash

there is no use for sika to make it more waterproof
ever display have a waterproof/flush kit in the box

and you will never run the risk of damage any thing on board
and it will save time and moneny (for the client if you work by the hour)


@capj

if the boat builder make there product with better eyes for detail
than the professinal dont need to workt like a amateur


tip for all never use sillicon it give a bad paint jobe !!

I thought the old adage " never have silicone on a fiberglass boat" was still good advice?

I agree with you CR. A quick tour of your typical boat builder's plant quickly reveals the problem. Most of the assembly is done with the deck off the hull.
Engines drop straight in, railings are through bolted while the deck is off etc. etc. One builder was saving time by building whole modules such as (the complete head compt) out of the boat and then dropping it in.
I understand why they do it to speed production and increase efficiency etc. however.... Serviceablility (after warranty) becomes "someone else's problem" There is little incentive for them to add access doors or panels since they just increase costs.
That said, I will also agree that higher quality builders do spend more time and money thinking about and providing for future repair work access.
Buying a cheaper boat usually means encountering problems like you saw.
We are constantly cutting access holes and installing access ports to do what should be simple repair work. A loose cleat means cutting a hole. Air horns mounted on the deck with the bolts and hoses glued under the headliner. Hope you never have to replace a bow railing or pull engines on an aft cabin cruiser.
This short term thinking by boat builders increases the cost of boat ownership down the road which drives people away from boating and often gives owners the impression that yards are overcharging for simple jobs.

When choosing a new boat it is something to consider. There is no free lunch. Sometimes paying a bit more for a better boat pays off in the long run. It also could send a message to the builders who cut corners.

Cruiser, Just be happy they didnt use 3m 5200. I had a person around here ask how to remove his Northstar that he sealed in place with it. he said its what he had layin around and piled it on. it was an awesome weekend

Guess I'm lucky because I have access to the back side of my electronics. Mine are sealed with silicone around the edges to prevent water getting into the helm area where alot of wiring and equipment is located.

You're right - it is a tough crowd. I have a hard time believing a 20 year yard veteran working on high end boats is bemoaning a chart plotter being silconed in place. This means you are at least or close to 40 years old. You've posted a complaint for someone 2 years on the job. By year 20 you ought to be well past small issue like this, and seen this hundreds of times. I used to think Viking stuffed 10 pounds of $*** in a 5 pound sack when I worked there, but EVERYONE does that. Some jobs I had to do yoga for hours to finish a job in the lazzarette, but I learned in short order that complaining about any job did nothing but make yourself look like a complainer. Every job is tough- otherwise the owner or some hack would be doing the job. If you have to cut a access hole to do a job- then do it and explain it properly. If you have to ruin another part to get your job done, and there is no other way, then do it and fix the other part. If you don't, then the owner will sooner or later find someone that can do it.

When the silicone gets black from the dirt and dust in the area, then the fancy expensive helm station don't look to good, and when the installer happens to let some esilicone drop on the finished gelcoat and does not see it for a while, well go figure..the only silicone I allow is silicone grease on the boat. Well manufactured components do not need sealing with sticky **** stuff, after all, are not hand held radios submersible now ?

Personally I don't use that much silicone that it squeezes out from around the unit. If it does I wipe it off, so I don't have a problem with it getting black or moldy. What it does do is seals the unit to the gelcoat and prevents water from running inside your helm. I have alot of equipment, fuses and wiring in there that I dont want water dripping on. In the end each to their own.

IPX 7 rated radio wwwhhhhooooaa! greatest invention yet.