Hatch surround sealing

[Jaycb]

I'm hoping to replace my hatches & surrounds this weekend. I have the new rivets but I'm assuming I'll need some form of sealant compound as well to ensure the surrounds are watertight against the hulls...
Ideally I guess one should use a marine sealant such as Sikaflex, but rather than go out of my way to find a chandler, I wonder if the exterior silicone sealant found in DIY stores would be suitable as an alternative?

Does anyone have any experience of this please?

[WaveyDavey]

This is not a job I've specifically done, but for many other jobs on various dinghies I have always used a good quality silicone sealant from a DIY store in preference to overpriced "marine" sealants. In my experience they have always made a good and durable seal.

[Charles]

Jas

You're right to think Sikaflex is the bees knees of sealants, I describe it as bath sealant from Hell, especially when trying to get it off your hands!

As usual try asking Brian or Steve Sawford what they normally use.