Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23'

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iainmillett

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Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

The roof lining on our Hunter 23' is coming adrift from the perspex windows.
In addition, the perspex cabin windows are increasingly crazed.

We sail on the East coast nr Ipswich.

Has anyone done this operation and where can we source replacement windows?
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

Hawke House Marine for the headlining. It aint cheap though.
There was a really good article in PBO sometime in 2004 to replace headlinings.


As elsewhere, see Novice21 thread on window replacement - I recommend EJ Alloys in Southend, but there is prob someone a lot closer to you than that.
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

[ QUOTE ]
Has anyone done this operation and where can we source replacement windows?

[/ QUOTE ] I agree with the suggestion to get roof lining from Hawke House Take their advice on adhesives. Water resistant PVA on wooden panels, high temperature impact adhesive on the grp but with a spray on adhesive on the back of the lining.

Get everything from them and you should be able to get a useful hints and tips leaflet.

Remember solvent based adhesives can be deadly in confined spaces so good ventilation is essential and I would strongly recommend an "Organic vapours " mask as well. Also from Hawke House.

Project Plastics in Colchester may be convenient for the windows. If you need them pre-formed to match the curve of the cabin side, as I did, they will do it using the old ones as formers. If you only need flat windows (they take up a gentle curve OK) any supplier you can find in your yellow pages should be able to supply them cut to size and shape.

How are your windows fixed? Bolted on, in frames or in rubbers?

Very sensible to be doing the lining and the windows together!
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

Most grateful - the H23 has screwed in perspex windows - quite the worst part of what otherwise is a decent boat.

Will take matters forward!
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

[ QUOTE ]
quite the worst part of what otherwise is a decent boat.

[/ QUOTE ] Better than being in rubbers! You could of course always get frames made ....... but I did not say they would be cheap.

Make sure the screw holes are a bit oversize or the Perspex will tend to crack. For the same reason they should not really be countersunk, but they often are, especially if interscrews are used (AFAIK interscrews are always countersunk) just countersink them lightly.

Good idea to use a tape sealing strip to bed them on but if you use a mastic make sure you do not squeeze it all out by initially tightening onto small spacers which you remove once the sealant has cured and before a final nip.
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

We replaced the windows on our Hunter27. It has a rigid moulded head lining so we did not have to touch that.
Got the perspex from a manufacturer in Darwen Lancs 2mm thicker than the original and cut it to size using the old windows as templates.
Routed the edges and bolted the new windows into place using new gaskets. as the old windows were fixed using countersunk self tappers some of which had stripped out we used stainless screw headed bolts with nylon washers (not countersunk as this can cause the perspex to split ) drilling the holes with a small clearance to avoid splitting
The original owner of the boat had fitted stained ply panels instead of head lining material between the windows so all of the nuts inside were hidden.
pete

VicS sorry to repeat some of your comments I can`t type fast enough /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

[ QUOTE ]
VicS sorry to repeat some of your comments

[/ QUOTE ] No problem with people repeating things, except perhaps when it something said ages previously. Its people who disagree who are so annoying. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

I replaced the windows on a Hunter Horizon 21 which I had for four years. It sounds like the same problem I had with headlining coming away and generally looking a mess. Hunter's window attachment has to be the worst I have seen.

I decided the existing method of fastening (i.e. short countersunk screws) was unacceptable. Most acrylic window makers recommend avoiding countersinking as it stress cracks the edges of the holes.

I got new windows cut and drilled with no countersunk and used long panhead screws instead. The screws went straight through the grp and into a narrow wood frame on the inside. The frame covered the headlining edge and allowed the screws to get a good grip and be fully tightened.

Instead of sealing tape you can buy sheet neoprene which can be trimmed to form a continuous gasket with no joins.
 
Re: Replacing perspex windows on a Hunter Horizon 23\'

[ QUOTE ]
The screws went straight through the grp and into a narrow wood frame on the inside

[/ QUOTE ] I was wondering if you could use pan headed machine srews from the outside but mate them with the female halves of interscrews on the inside. Might be better than srewing into wooden frames but i guess you just screw into the wood with a wooden boat. You'd have the countersunk heads of the interscrews visible inside but the you would with metal framed windows. You could use a metal bezel inside instead of a wooden frame.

You end up with all the male halves of the intercrews to give to friends!
 
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