FergusM
Well-Known Member
A couple of years ago, when I bought my current boat, I asked the yard to replace the windows.I was a bit surprised and disappointed, this year, to see some books in the shelf underneath the window getting wet. I tried tightening up a little on the screws fastening the perspex, and was horrified to find some of them just spinning, they had no grip at all. I withdrew the one at the leak, and saw it was a self-tapper with the tip cut off. When I reinserted it and screwed it fully in, and pushed with the screwdriver, some water squeezed out above the window. When I released the pressure on the screwdriver, I could see the window easing away from the cabin side, and the bead of water sinking back down.
My first reaction was to think about using a larger size of screw, hoping that it would bite into fresh grp, and grip. A complication is that the screws all round the windows are matching, with a black finish, so a new one will be obvious. I could try a dab of Humbrol paint on it, I suppose. I would rather not have to drill larger holes in the perspex - there is too much of risk of cracking it.
I don't want to try adding bedding compound round the outside - it always looks awful, and is a dead giveaway.
I would prefer not to have to remove and rebed the window, as the boat is ashore out of doors. The bedding should be in good condition, but the window is clearly not being pulled against it by any clamping pressure from the screw. I fear it may come to this, however.
Is there any way I can make the existing screw bite?
Does anyone have any other ideas?
Back around 1970, I remember reading a story in PBO in which the author described the lousy work and sharp practice he had met at boatyards, and he concluded by saying that the only way to get a job done right was to do it yourself. 45 years later, and not a lot seems to have changed.
My first reaction was to think about using a larger size of screw, hoping that it would bite into fresh grp, and grip. A complication is that the screws all round the windows are matching, with a black finish, so a new one will be obvious. I could try a dab of Humbrol paint on it, I suppose. I would rather not have to drill larger holes in the perspex - there is too much of risk of cracking it.
I don't want to try adding bedding compound round the outside - it always looks awful, and is a dead giveaway.
I would prefer not to have to remove and rebed the window, as the boat is ashore out of doors. The bedding should be in good condition, but the window is clearly not being pulled against it by any clamping pressure from the screw. I fear it may come to this, however.
Is there any way I can make the existing screw bite?
Does anyone have any other ideas?
Back around 1970, I remember reading a story in PBO in which the author described the lousy work and sharp practice he had met at boatyards, and he concluded by saying that the only way to get a job done right was to do it yourself. 45 years later, and not a lot seems to have changed.
- perhaps that Sika primer isn't so optional afterall. I'm going to have to re-seal but I'm pondering butyl tape this time to avoid the mess.
