| | Resealing windows/hull-deck join leaks? - 2008/07/22 01:25
Hi all,
I've now travelled 6000nm with leaky windows and several other leaks which I can't yet find the source of. I'm in Greenport, Long Island now, with access to a full workshop etc, and I'd like to fix the boat up. I have a 1972 Contessa, and I'm sure most of you are familiar with the windows - Has anyone taken theirs out and resealed them, and if so, have you any tips? Is the best way just to replace all the bolts and seal up with sikaflex?
Also, is it possible for leaks to occur in the hull/deck join? Or are the leaks more likely to be coming from stanchion bases? I can't work out where the water is coming from...
nick!
bigoceans.com
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| | gandjehood
Junior Boarder | | | | Re:Resealing windows/hull-deck join leaks? - 2008/07/23 20:41
The problem with the windows is that the area into which they are made is double skinned. If the seal is broken then water can enter between the skins and make its way anywhere! When I renewed my windows, after taking out the old units the double skinning was very obvious.Replacing the units was simply a case of sealing the outer face and inner face and giving a really good bead of Sikaflex between the skins as well. A much bigger problem is that the bolt holes for new and old do not match up, you have to use glass fiber to fill the old holes and then drill new ones. A real wind-up.Do not attempt this single handed It is a 2 person job, one in and one outside.If you are not going to replace the windows the major problem will be getting the old fixings out. They are stainless steel and in 2 parts. The inner has a rivet like form screwed internally and an outer knurl that is a force fit in the inner frame. The outer is just a slotted screw. As the frames are aluminium they will have frozen into place and are very difficult to remove.
I fixed a persistant leak from the cockpit seating slats by removing them and the hundreds of screws holding them down, glassing the holes and fixing the new slats with Sikaflex only. Yes, the hull join can leak, once again use Sikaflex liberally. The stanchions are once again a pain to remove but I found a dose of a patent leak seeking sealer around them all has worked, for now at least. Mariabronn is now drip free and the only water getting in is from the stern tube!Best of luck ,I hope this helps. Grant
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| | gandjehood
Junior Boarder | | | | Re:Resealing windows/hull-deck join leaks? - 2008/07/23 20:45
The problem with the windows is that the area into which they are made is double skinned. If the seal is broken then water can enter between the skins and make its way anywhere! When I renewed my windows, after taking out the old units the double skinning was very obvious.Replacing the units was simply a case of sealing the outer face and inner face and giving a really good bead of Sikaflex between the skins as well. A much bigger problem is that the bolt holes for new and old do not match up, you have to use glass fiber to fill the old holes and then drill new ones. A real wind-up.Do not attempt this single handed It is a 2 person job, one in and one outside.If you are not going to replace the windows the major problem will be getting the old fixings out. They are stainless steel and in 2 parts. The inner has a rivet like form screwed internally and an outer knurl that is a force fit in the inner frame. The outer is just a slotted screw. As the frames are aluminium they will have frozen into place and are very difficult to remove.
I fixed a persistant leak from the cockpit seating slats by removing them and the hundreds of screws holding them down, glassing the holes and fixing the new slats with Sikaflex only. Yes, the hull join can leak, once again use Sikaflex liberally. The stanchions are once again a pain to remove but I found a dose of a patent leak seeking sealer around them all has worked, for now at least. Mariabronn is now drip free and the only water getting in is from the stern tube!Best of luck ,I hope this helps. Grant
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| | Re:Resealing windows/hull-deck join leaks? - 2008/07/24 22:41
http://marinedirectory.ybw.com/reprints/results_related.jsp?tem=pbo&id=60423&relation=sales
This link is the articles to purchase site from UK magazine: Practical Boat Owner. There was an article on Jo Mooring-Aldridge's CO26 Sulali having her windows replaced step by step. However I cannot find it - perhaps email Jo and ask if she can get you a copy. Jo's email is in the contacts section see left of this.
The stanchins can be difficult to remove especially if you have original/brass screw bolts. One tip if they won't budge (before you wear the slot away!) is to tighten them clockwise a little use excatly the rght size screwdriver and tap hard with a rubber hammer. This sometimes breaks the ancient sealant and they come out anticlocwise easier.
Good luck!
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| | Re:Resealing windows/hull-deck join leaks? - 2008/07/25 05:59
www.eagleboatwindows.co.uk
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| | Re:Resealing windows/hull-deck join leaks? - 2008/08/07 21:43
Thanks everyone - I managed getting a copy of Jo's article. I'll be tearing those windows out re-bedding/sealing them in the next couple of weeks.
nick
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