Making a cleat waterproof

Any magic on how to keep water out of this seam?

water is blue
Panel is kept off for understanding
Panel to be screwed to cleat

 

Obviously, I can caulk above the seam, but the part is removable, so repeated caulking would get ugly.

 

Maybe surgical tubing will be less likely to leak if water has a path. Still probably need a removable caulking.

 

Butyl tape is removal is infrequent, proper gasket otherwise.

 

I was gonna rubber silence the vertical face above the cleat, but butyl on the face and top seams best.

I do dislike using it. But it makes sense here. Thanks for the kick in the seat.

 

Simple usually works until complicated is needed. If it does not work you can always change to a rubber gasket. If the gap between removable panel and cleat side is big, I would be tempted to use a rectangular rubber profile wedged in there to close the gap.

 

I have to use silencing. Most everywhere I am using cloth backed neoprene based on advice from boatsmithfl (David Halliday). But generally; those are not waterproof seams. Places like the cockpit/hull intersection can take rain.

A bit trickier trying to plan butyl and neoprene, or some combination.

I wishe there was a sealant I could deactivate with a magic wand!