Gear tracks with butyl tape

Aloha,

It only took a year and a half to get to the install, but it’s done and I’m pretty happy with the results.

I took tips on spacing from a brother on NWKA, and decided on two 8” gear tracks, with the main considerations being I needed fore and aft tracks to hold rod holders, and it had been a year and a half of not having time to do it, so I better do it while I had an hour of free time during my kids nap.

Step by step, here is what I did. Using the GT90 geartrac with the backing plate and instead of marine goop I opted for butyl tape

1. Looked at where to place for about a year and a half

2. After deciding where to place tracks, I taped them down.

3. Using a 3/16 bit, drilled one end hole then placed a screw in, then drilled a hole on the opposite side, placed a screw in, then drilled the other three holes

4. Used the blue tape that was holding the track in place to tape down the screws in place, cut a piece of butyl tape the same length of the track, then lined it up to cover the holes evenly

5. Placed track over tape, then pushed screws through tape into holes

6. Trickiest part, getting the backing plate threaded. Pretty much just held on to the plate as much as possible while rotating the screw at the same time and somehow got lucky getting it to go

7. Screwed the rest in and sat back and enjoyed

The amount of water that leaks in through those holes is so minimal especially if you use the right drill bit.

Water gets into your hull from your hatches.

Little silicone on the threads and hole woulda done enough.

Looks good. I'm just so afraid of drilling big holes in my kayak.  I  guess if done right,  it's okay.
Mahalo for the info.

That takes some guts.  Gonna do sumpin to my sons kayak for mounting and this could be it!  Good stuff brahhdah!

Good step by step demo.  Never heard of butyl tape being used until now.  Used marine silicone in the past.  Thanks.

Thanks for sharing! Been looking to do this on my oasis for a while now but was so nervous about drilling into the yak

Good step by step demo.  Never heard of butyl tape being used until now.  Used marine silicone in the past.  Thanks.

Thanks! I got the inspiration from our homies in the north! https://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=20047.msg212582#msg212582

I went for the tape because of the ease of cleanup and ease of removal if I ever want to do that.

That takes some guts.  Gonna do sumpin to my sons kayak for mounting and this could be it!  Good stuff brahhdah!

Eddie, lmk if you want to go this route. I could only find it in 30’ lengths and could hook you up cuz its fo da kidz...... 

4. Used the blue tape that was holding the track in place to tape down the screws in place, cut a piece of butyl tape the same length of the track, then lined it up to cover the holes evenly

Very clever idea. Is this rubber tape the same as "moisture sealing electrical tape"?