Replacing window seals

lumphammer

lumphammer

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I would like to replace the seals on the windows of my 1979 Moody 36. The window frame has two outside sections screwed to an internal extrusion with self tapping screws every three inches or so from the outside.

I assume if I remove the screws I can ease the outer frames off. Presumably I should then be able to remove the 'glass' to get access to the seal.

Is it likely that the seals holding the glass in place are molded or could I refit with suitable neoprene rubber strips and quantities of silicon sealant?
 
well, yes it sounds like it should be OK to DIY. If the two outer units part so the glass falls out, then you can buy suare u channel to suit. There are rubber factors all around the country, e.g. Portmere Rubber in Southampton. www.portmererubber.co.uk/

The skill and difficulty level will depend on the sections, rather like the difference between fitting a tyre to a split rim or fighting to lever the b****r onto a fixed rim! I've done two which had to be pressed into two channels simultaneously and that was not fun.

Best of luck,
Rob.
 
yeh, if you're lucky !

chances are the 'rubber' and other goop has long since got stuck big time to the glass and the frame.

be prepared to break the glass, the allu frame is much more dificult to replace.

take some sturdy black plastic sheeting and wide parcel tape so you can do a temporary repair.

the glue from the tape comes off with acetone.
 
Also to add I think you'll find that the screws are not self-tapping but are a two part item that are quite expensive.
Trafalgar yachts at Fareham probably have them for the Westerly range of windows,about 16 per window for my boat type.

ianat182
 
The screws are self tappers and hold the outer and inner frames together. I have done 2 so far with mixed results and I suspect getting them done profesionally would be best. They come apart quite easily but getting all the goo etc out is hard work. I found soaking in a strong detergent like dishwasher stuff softened thing up a bit. There are several companies that supply the materials you need, I used Seals Direct who provided good advice and fast service for me.

ps There are quite a few places that sell the fancy interscrews some use if you do a bit of searching on the web, at half decent prices too
 
Also to add I think you'll find that the screws are not self-tapping but are a two part item that are quite expensive.
Trafalgar yachts at Fareham probably have them for the Westerly range of windows,about 16 per window for my boat type
Click to expand...
.You refer to "interscrews"

Older Westerlies used an odd size ( M3.5 or something silly like that) and the only place I know of to get them is Trafalgar YS ... and v. expensive they are.

Other makes, and I think newer Westerlies, used a more common size that is available from the usual stainless nuts and bolts suppliers and from firms who refurbish windows.

I think if I were the OP I would seriously consider having the window units professionally refurbished.
 
VicS said:
.You refer to "interscrews"

Older Westerlies used an odd size ( M3.5 or something silly like that) and the only place I know of to get them is Trafalgar YS ... and v. expensive they are.

Other makes, and I think newer Westerlies, used a more common size that is available from the usual stainless nuts and bolts suppliers and from firms who refurbish windows.

I think if I were the OP I would seriously consider having the window units professionally refurbished.
Click to expand...

If the screws are an unobtainable/uneconomic size you could drill the holes out to take the next size up.
 
ianat182 said:
Also to add I think you'll find that the screws are not self-tapping but are a two part item that are quite expensive.
Trafalgar yachts at Fareham probably have them for the Westerly range of windows,about 16 per window for my boat type.

ianat182
Click to expand...

The screws are definately self tapping as I've taken a few out to check how removable they are.

getting the windows professionally done, presumably means taking out whole frame and glass and sending whole lot off to some one like Eagle Boat Windows?
 
lumphammer said:
The screws are definately self tapping as I've taken a few out to check how removable they are.

getting the windows professionally done, presumably means taking out whole frame and glass and sending whole lot off to some one like Eagle Boat Windows?
Click to expand...
Or not so far away
Seaclear windows in the Maidstone area

or Hadlow Marine near Tonbridge

I'm sure there must be someone in the Chichester area but not heard of them.
 
Go to Post No 9. I listed some resources from this forum on Window Sealing on the post.

When removing windows and frames use a flat item like an icing spatula, stainless long type, to slide between frame and hull to ease away.

Hope this helps. Plenty of info if you use the search function.
 
If the glass is crazed its worthwhile to get it replaced - Eagle Boat Windows are used by a lot of Moody owners.

Are you sure it is the glass seal that is leaking? Usually it is the frame to hull. On my Moody 336 the glass was sealed into the U frame with a hard setting compound, it will need something similar to replace it. It was not easy. The MOA site is the place to go for definitive advice.
 
I am looking at doing this job on my Sadler 32 over the winter and have read up the previous posts on the subject and called some of the suppliers. On the Sadler the glass panes are sealed into aluminium channels which are fastened with screws. These finished windows are in turn sealed into the GRP frames and finished outside with aluminium frames fitted to the GRP with self tapping screws. I have heard very good reports of Eagle Boat Windows, but they are a long way from Dun Laoghaire.

I intend to remove the windows and seperate from the aluminium channels with whatever degree of difficulty this involves. I will seal the windows back in the channels using Marineseal 033 available from http://www.marinemastics.com/marine-seal-033/marine-seal-033.html. Eagle use this, albeit injected under pressure. I am told I should be ok if I prime first with Marineseal primer

Apparently the best sealant to bed in the finished windows to the frames is Arbomast BR which is a non setting butyl rubber sealant. I may also be possible to use the Marineseal 033 for this job, although the Arbomast BR is relatively inexpensive.

I am told also that I will undoubtedly have to fix some of the holes for the self tappers by filling with epoxy and redrilling, which should be straightforward.

This is the current plan, but any further pearls of wisdom gratefully received if discovered in practice rather than in the armchair.

best of luck,
 
reading the posts am I right that the window frame (most of which is inside the boat has the 'glass' sealed into it as a unit, then the whole frame is sealed to the coachroof from the inside and the outside trim screwed in place to hold it in situ?
 
lumphammer said:
reading the posts am I right that the window frame (most of which is inside the boat has the 'glass' sealed into it as a unit, then the whole frame is sealed to the coachroof from the inside and the outside trim screwed in place to hold it in situ?
Click to expand...

My toughened glass windows are inside the frame and the frame is screwed to the cabin sides with a non setting mastic to seal. Taking the frames apart was quite a job and the cleaning even worse. I also had to remake some small bits to hold the frames together. each window took over 7 evenings to sort out !
 
lumphammer said:
reading the posts am I right that the window frame (most of which is inside the boat has the 'glass' sealed into it as a unit, then the whole frame is sealed to the coachroof from the inside and the outside trim screwed in place to hold it in situ?
Click to expand...

We have the same type of boat and our windows are as follows, outer aluminium frame holds the perspex, in our case , and is in two halves which can be split after thr frame is removed by unscrewing the joining blocks. The perspex may be either set in sealant in the channel in the frame with small spacing blocks or be set in a rubber seal with sealant. The sealing of the frame to the hull is on the outer part which is screwed to the inner trim through the hull to pull the frame up on the sealant against the hull.

PS the screws are stainles self tappers, I have replaced them all on the windows I have refurbished, as there may be some corrosion you need to have a supply of the next size up.
 
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