Is Cork on the endangered species list?

[JonHupp]

Spring is in the air and my water strainer covers leak... I have 5 or 6 old Perko strainers on my 53MY and the cover gaskets don't last very long. I purchased the small cork gasket kit from our 'favorite' retail marine store and it was $28.00


Now I know I can get it for nearly half that online (not counting shipping, etc), but I'm just wondering:

1) I know Perko recommends using cork in their older models, but is there a more durable alternative?

2) Is there a cheaper source for these? One problem with the 'kit' is you get 2 cylinder gaskets, which I rarely use as I don't completely tear apart my strainer unless there is a problem.

3) Anything to do to keep this cork more pliable and get a few more seasons out of the cover gaskets?

Thanks. Jon

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I bought rubber gasket material at the hardware store and cut them out of that. They last for years. The only cork on the boat is in the end of the wine bottles.

 

[bobk]

Ditto on rubber. I prefer Hypalon for general use because it resists lots of chemicals and heat. Nitrile ought to be good too.

Bobk

 

[SEVEN]

Ditto on the wine cork.

 

[JonHupp]

Ditto on rubber. I prefer Hypalon for general use because it resists lots of chemicals and heat. Nitrile ought to be good too.

Bobk

What thickness? 1/8 inch?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

1/8" Red silicone rubber. Costs about $8 a sheet. You can make several gaskets per sheet if you cut them correctly. I usually mess at least one up per sheet.

 

[bobk]

What thickness? 1/8 inch?

That might be a bit thicker than needed, but ought to work.

Bobk

 

[luckydave215]

All of mine have been replaced with cut-from-sheet rubber gaskets. Far cheaper, and they work better too.
I smear just a little dielectric grease (nice and water resistant and won't attack nitrile) on the surfaces at assembly, at cleaning time they come apart easily without tearing gaskets and it also prevents corrosion of the mating surfaces underneath the gaskets.