Good points, indeed. Certainly no need to fret over those in the cockpit area! Funny, but I never thought of pad eye failure as one my prime concerns!!

Sean

: I recommend sealing only the ones in the watertight compartments
: first of all, since you're going to get water in the cockpit
: from the spray skirt, etc., anyway. That'll make 'em lots easier
: to deal with later. Refinishing is a time consuming PITA when
: you'd much rather go paddling than putz around the shop.

: Whatever sealant you use in the compartments, don't slop it on; in
: fact, try to keep it minimal. Seems to me soft padeyes tend to
: be way over thought and overbuilt. Having them fail at sea isn't
: anywhere near as likely as having them torment you at R&R
: time. That's my experience, anyway.