Quick fix needed for leaking window (rubber gasket type)

Kelpie

Kelpie

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I was aboard my Vega the other day during some really torrential rain and water was flooding in via the window. It's one of those rubber gasket types (a bit like cars used to use) and I think the rubber has shrunk slightly causing a gap to open up. Those clever Swedes installed the gasket with the joint at the top, so now the water running off the cabin top can get straight in. I'm also worried that the window may be leaking in less obvious ways, as previous attempts to stop up the gap with gaffer tape seemed to make no difference.

I'm tempted to just bung some sealant in as a quick fix. Any other suggestions?
 
Captain Tolleys Crack Cure might do it, but in reality unlikely to get a proper fix without replacing the degraded rubber. Getting any sealant to seal between the cabin sides and the rubber without taking them out is a challenge. Permanent fix is to replace the windows with larger panes through bolted and bedded in a butyl sealer.
 
Mavanier said:
I was aboard my Vega the other day during some really torrential rain and water was flooding in via the window. It's one of those rubber gasket types (a bit like cars used to use) and I think the rubber has shrunk slightly causing a gap to open up. Those clever Swedes installed the gasket with the joint at the top, so now the water running off the cabin top can get straight in. I'm also worried that the window may be leaking in less obvious ways, as previous attempts to stop up the gap with gaffer tape seemed to make no difference.

I'm tempted to just bung some sealant in as a quick fix. Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

I have used Vaseline , the heat melts the stuff in the summer so it gets into the gaps and then when it cools down it sets again ... It worked a treat on my window seals
 
ribrage said:
I have used Vaseline , the heat melts the stuff in the summer so it gets into the gaps and then when it cools down it sets again ... It worked a treat on my window seals
Click to expand...

I could give that a go, although given the ambient temperature up here I would probably have to stick the vaseline in a pot of hot water or something! If it gets me through till next year then that's all I really need.
 
ribrage said:
I have used Vaseline , the heat melts the stuff in the summer so it gets into the gaps and then when it cools down it sets again ... It worked a treat on my window seals
Click to expand...

Only a temporary solution, I'm afraid. You have to remember that the whole boat structure will flex when the boat is being sailed and this will re open the gaps - especially in cold weather. I've driven myself mad with quick fix solutions to this problem - none worked for very long.
My advice would be to replace the entire rubber strip, or, better still, new larger windows bolted through to th coach roof. If you do the latter, make sure that you leave a bed of 3 or 4 mm thickness and that you use an appropriate sealant AND use tape to protect it from early UV damage. Screwfix sell good sealants. Do a search on this forum and you'll find good advice on sealants.
 
Modulation said:
Only a temporary solution, I'm afraid. You have to remember that the whole boat structure will flex when the boat is being sailed and this will re open the gaps - especially in cold weather. I've driven myself mad with quick fix solutions to this problem - none worked for very long.
My advice would be to replace the entire rubber strip, or, better still, new larger windows bolted through to th coach roof. If you do the latter, make sure that you leave a bed of 3 or 4 mm thickness and that you use an appropriate sealant AND use tape to protect it from early UV damage. Screwfix sell good sealants. Do a search on this forum and you'll find good advice on sealants.
Click to expand...

No fears, I doubt I'll be sailing the boat at all this winter. But for various reasons I do still spend a lot of time aboard. So a quick fix that keeps her dry this winter will be fine.

I've previously considered replacing the windows with perspex/lexan etc fitted to the outside of the coachroof, and I know one or two Vegas have done this- a job for the summer, I think.
 
Mavanier said:
No fears, I doubt I'll be sailing the boat at all this winter. But for various reasons I do still spend a lot of time aboard. So a quick fix that keeps her dry this winter will be fine.

I've previously considered replacing the windows with perspex/lexan etc fitted to the outside of the coachroof, and I know one or two Vegas have done this- a job for the summer, I think.
Click to expand...

Use butyl tape and do a proper job. No more leaks then, ever!
 
Tranona said:
Captain Tolleys Crack Cure might do it, but in reality unlikely to get a proper fix without replacing the degraded rubber. Getting any sealant to seal between the cabin sides and the rubber without taking them out is a challenge. Permanent fix is to replace the windows with larger panes through bolted and bedded in a butyl sealer.
Click to expand...

Captains crack cure has worked for me with these window seals. Brilliant stuff.
 
Get a blunt knife and a thin piece of rag and slip it
Between the window and rubber so to clear any
Dirt out and then blow any water out with a bit of
Tube then just seal with some clear Geocel Marine sealant
Or similar with a thin nozzle, job done.
 
Mavanier said:
I was aboard my Vega the other day during some really torrential rain and water was flooding in via the window. It's one of those rubber gasket types (a bit like cars used to use) and I think the rubber has shrunk slightly causing a gap to open up. Those clever Swedes installed the gasket with the joint at the top, so now the water running off the cabin top can get straight in. I'm also worried that the window may be leaking in less obvious ways, as previous attempts to stop up the gap with gaffer tape seemed to make no difference.

I'm tempted to just bung some sealant in as a quick fix. Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

Short term fix Gaffer tape
Then do a proper job
 
dsw said:
Get a blunt knife and a thin piece of rag and slip it
Between the window and rubber so to clear any
Dirt out and then blow any water out with a bit of
Tube then just seal with some clear Geocel Marine sealant
Or similar with a thin nozzle, job done.
Click to expand...

I like that idea.
Will do the vaseline thing tomorrow and if that doesn't work will crack open the sealant.
Might also stick a tarp over the coach roof.
 
the silver backed tape they use to connect vapour barriers together is amazing, i used it on a crack in a plastic wash up bowl, and it sealed the leak for more than a year. you can buy it from B&Q.

It will stick to absolutely anything.

PS: do you know where you can buy lengths of sliding window frame for DIY use?
 
Last edited:
Tranona said:
. Permanent fix is to replace the windows with larger panes through bolted and bedded in a butyl sealer.
Click to expand...

Modulation said:
better still, new larger windows bolted through to th coach roof. If you do the latter, make sure that you leave a bed of 3 or 4 mm thickness and that you use an appropriate sealant AND use tape to protect it from early UV damage. Screwfix sell good sealants. Do a search on this forum and you'll find good advice on sealants.
Click to expand...

The VAGB have a more elegant solution - see http://www.albinvega.co.uk/windows.php

The second option is the complete replacement of the rubber seal with a custom-built aluminium frame system
Click to expand...

Ash
 
If it's just one window at the moment, I would just replace the rubber strip on that one now and then do the rest next spring. It doesn't take long to do and will be more succesful than sealant/vaseline/captain tolley. You can get rubber strip from Seals direct. I glue the strips to make a complete ring which I think does a better job using superglue.
 
But Captain Tolley's is a very quick and easy first attempt. If it works, Job done. If not, move onto more expensive and time consuming methods.
 
If your windows have frames where the glass is fitted inside a channel and the seal is between the frame and chanel then quick fixes might not work. In my case, I had to remove the frames, split them, remove the old seal and then remount the glass in a bed of adhesive sealant. The gap inside the frames had a volume of sticky stuff which had been previous attempts at sealing what is in reality a large void. Take the window out, fit a blank, refurbish window. The damage done to my wood lining was not worth the time saved by quick fixes. Prompt and proper repair is important.
 
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