I'm an unhappy bunny..... Boat Windows

[stevebirch2002]

I\'m an unhappy bunny..... Boat Windows

Having removed all the windows (2 large, 4 small), I got them all rebuilt. Re-fitted the two large ones last week, done a great job if I say so myself.... Came back to fit the small ones but the boat is again soaked. Looks like the rebuild wasnt good enough!

They are a dry seal construction with the glass sitting in a rubber gasket within an aluminium frame, was suggested I smear the glass with vaseline to ensure water-tightness but I reckon this just "wicked" the water through - what do you lot reckon?

These are windows made by the Dutch Vega Club that I bought 8 years ago. They were expensive but not very good. I now make a better window for the Vega but didnt want to change the Dutch ones as they cost so much!! Well it looks like I will be fitting a set of my own windows very soon!!

All that work and absolutely no progress whatsoever. I am very, very, very pissed off!

 

[wotayottie]

Re: I\'m an unhappy bunny..... Boat Windows

Not a very subtly advert!

 

[Dyflin]

Re: I\'m an unhappy bunny..... Boat Windows

Time and time again I come across problems with windows letting in water. Hope you get it sorted out without to much more aggravation.

 

[stevebirch2002]

Re: I\'m an unhappy bunny..... Boat Windows

Not an advert. The Dutch windows ceased being made over 6 years ago. I was just bemoaning the water!! Would sooner they were ok and didnt have to take them out yet again and fit a new set!!!

Dont need an advert as Vega owners know me.

 

[Becky]

Re: I\'m an unhappy bunny..... Boat Windows

Well here are a few suggestions I have been given to sort out the leaking windows in Cornish Maid.

Firstly you have to accept that the hull will flex, more so in strong winds. We had the windows 'done' in CM after a horrendous Biscay crossing where we were beating up-wind in strengths of up to 40 knots. And every window leaked. Especially the windward ones. But this isn't a flaw in your yacht design; just that fact that the hull will flex in heavy conditions.

The first problem is that most peeps screw down the windows too tightly to the coach-roof, so that even a little movement will break the seal and set off leaks.

What you have to determine is whether the leaks are from the glazing/frame interface, which in your case could well be not the case, or the frame to hull interface.

Which could be more likely. If the frame is too tightly screwed up to the coach-roof, there will be no latitude for flexure, and leaks will develop, no matter what sealant you use. We have had this problem, and found that either a thick sealant of the appropriate type (see the Sikaflex manual, or web site) or a neoprene tape (we have used both) which bonds to the frame and clamps up against the coach-roof to form the seal, tends to sort things out.

It isn't difficult: after all we did it

 

[mortehoe]

Simple ....

Seek 'n Seal (Halfords)

My 40 year old windows (CO26) leaked like a sieve. Desalted/degreased the gaskets and then Seek 'n Sealed them 10 years ago .... They started to seep again 2 years ago. Repeated the cleaning process and then resealed them .... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif - So I should be good till 2016 ....

Halfords sell it. A small can costs peanuts and you'll find it usefull for more things than you even thought of.

 

[Chrissie]

Re: I\'m an unhappy bunny..... Boat Windows

Sorry to hear about your windows, I wonder about the vaseline though, its petrolium jelly, and we use petrol to clean off excess or spilt sealant, and vaseline is contraindicated for use with other 'rubber' type products, anyone know for sure?

 

[Grehan]

Seek and Seal

"Seek and Seal" is no longer made. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[VicS]

Re: Seek and Seal

Seak n' Seal, made by Comma at least mine was. Not that good IMHO anyway

However Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure http://www.captaintolley.com/ seems to be still available.