This is a common, unspoken, feeling among boat owners. Well founded. Perhaps that is why BOAT really means.I get the feeling I'll never be done fixing this boat.
I don’t know if the build process is the same across multiple years of the 23 but I’ve spent the last six months pulling apart my 1978 23 so that’s where I’m getting my information.Which means the toe rails and stanchions are probably allowing water into the deck.
It's always a good day when your outboard starts and runs in the face of a storm! Take a pic of your windows. Chances are, we've done this exact job before and can guide you through itFriday was partly cloudy, 10-12 mph of steady wind. I was having a great day until dark clouds gathered by the North-East shore. I didn't know the extent of the storm, but I didn't want to get trapped at the other side of the lake, so I started the motor, turned into the wind and took down the jib. It wasn't raining yet, but there were flashes of lightning and pieces of torn cloud flying around. I got the main down and bungeed, but I couldn't get it covered while keeping the boat pointed toward the sailing club (North East side of the lake). I got to the island that marks the entrance to the inlet where the club is located, and then it started. The rain was so heavy, I lost sight of the island which was maybe 75 yards away. The wind was so strong that I couldn't maintain direction with the rudder and outboard both pointed where I wanted to go. The outboard kept lifting out of the water, gurgling loudly. I was crouched down in the cockpit trying to keep control, hoping I wasn't going to be stuck by lightning. I opened my mouth and spit out a pea-sized hail stone. When it let up, I was probably 100 yards further south than I thought I was. And then I saw a rainbow and motored in. Back at the slip, I emptied the half gallon of water from the folds of the main and it started to rain again. Getting to the point of the story, I then got to sit inside the cabin while it was raining. As it turns out, the larger aft windows are leaking like a seive.
Sadly, mine was more than chipped. I broke off a 4” section of trim (in three or four pieces) and I had to repair it with a combination of plastic glue, plastic putty, and JB Weld.I've repaired chipped trim before.
I cracked one, repaired it, swore I wouldn't drop the second window, dropped it twice and it ended up in multiple pieces! I have a few spares on hand now. I started out repairing them with fiberglass and hot glue to hold it while the expoxy cured. I then moved onto tape and 5 minute epoxy.Sadly, mine was more than chipped. I broke off a 4” section of trim (in three or four pieces) and I had to repair it with a combination of plastic glue, plastic putty, and JB Weld.
I did it. And it looks great. But it wasn’t fun. It definitely taught me to be more gentle with old, brittle window trim.
hahaahah. I finished my repair, went to place the window down in my shop and it slid sideways, hit something, and I broke another piece offI cracked one, repaired it, swore I wouldn't drop the second window, dropped it twice and it ended up in multiple pieces!
The channel on the inside of the exterior trim is thicker than the butyl. If you double up the butyl, it'll never be flush with the fiberglass. Exposed butyl will continue to look ugly and collect dirt. It will however do an excellent job of sealinghahaahah. I finished my repair, went to place the window down in my shop and it slid sideways, hit something, and I broke another piece off
I’ll keep that in mind regarding the butyl. I haven’t gotten to the part where I put my windows back in but if butyl really is a pain to get good compression it’s good to have alternative solutions!