41 DS. Leaky windows

[sailor5017]

Looking for advise on repairing leaky Windows on 2006 41DS. Large main cabin Windows with polished aluminum frame work. There are screws on he inside of boat on the molding around the outside of window frame. Hoping someone has already done this job and can advise me on it.

Thanks in advance.......

 

[Rich Stidger]

Successfully sealing a leaking hatch that opens requires that you precisely determine where the water is getting in. You don't say if the offending window is fixed or opening and I don't have your model Hunter. If the window is an opening hatch there are more possibilities for water intrusion. I will assume that you have an opening hatch.

Start by checking that the dogs that pull the hatch into the gasket are tight and are doing their job. Examine the gasket all around to see where the gasket and frame contact each other. Make sure that the gasket is not torn or hardened so that it is not sealing. You may find that the gasket is pulled away from the sealing lip of the frame. Check for light passage at that point. If all looks fine then proceed to the water tests.

Start by having someone inside and watching closely for water drips while you carefully and lightly spray water from a hose on the outside. Simulate a rain as opposed to blasting under the seal with the hose. A direct hose could easily cause a leak that would not otherwise occur. Try to spray a limited area at a time and then work to a different spot. You should find an area that causes the leak. Be aware that the inside spot where it drips may not correspond to the same sprayed area on the outside. Water can easily enter in one spot on the outside and travel to a different relative spot on the inside to appear. It is the outside location that you will then need to examine. Once you determine a leaking spot, dry everything with a towel and then spray slowly everywhere else to see if there is more than one leaky spot. Examine all leaky spots and look for anything that is common between them. It could give you a clue as to the exact fault.

If the water is getting past the gasket, you could try rubbing a small amount of SuperLube on the gasket surface to see if that helps. Finally replacing the gasket with no obvious defect is the last resort IMHO.

If it looks like the leak in under the outside frame, you can confirm that by applying 1/2" tape over the edge of the frame and then spraying again. If the leak is gone then you will need to re-bed the frame. Get some butyl tape for that job.

I hope this helps. Good luck and let us all know what your outcome is.

 

[sailor5017]

thanx for reply. they are none opening port lights.

 

[Rich Stidger]

The process is the same- you just don't have the gasket possibility.

 

[dakno]

They are leaking from the lower corners. I have /had the same issue. I fixed mostly by cleaning, taping off the al and the glass, using a black silicone to match the black gasket already in place and applying very neatly. Make sure the silicone is cured before removing tape. Your port and sb forward facing fixed windows are/will leak in the lower outboard corners. the port and sb fixed forward position ports will also leak in the lower rear corners. These spots are where all the water drains to. You do not have to do 360 degrees, just the lower half, I stop 99 percent od all moisture issues. When finished, tighten those trim screws inside.

 

[sailor5017]

They are leaking from the lower corners. I have /had the same issue. I fixed mostly by cleaning, taping off the al and the glass, using a black silicone to match the black gasket already in place and applying very neatly. Make sure the silicone is cured before removing tape. Your port and sb forward facing fixed windows are/will leak in the lower outboard corners. the port and sb fixed forward position ports will also leak in the lower rear corners. These spots are where all the water drains to. You do not have to do 360 degrees, just the lower half, I stop 99 percent od all moisture issues. When finished, tighten those trim screws inside.

you mention

The process is the same- you just don't have the gasket possibility.

They are leaking from the lower corners. I have /had the same issue. I fixed mostly by cleaning, taping off the al and the glass, using a black silicone to match the black gasket already in place and applying very neatly. Make sure the silicone is cured before removing tape. Your port and sb forward facing fixed windows are/will leak in the lower outboard corners. the port and sb fixed forward position ports will also leak in the lower rear corners. These spots are where all the water drains to. You do not have to do 360 degrees, just the lower half, I stop 99 percent od all moisture issues. When finished, tighten those trim screws inside.

thanx for reply
are you on the outside of the cabin doing the silicone or inside. the water seems to be coming in between the window and the inside frame in fact the window is not adhered to the inside frame if you give a gentle push on the window close to the bottom of the inside frame it pushes away from the original caulking adhesive. was probably a butyl tape . did you loosen the trim screws to do the repair because mention tightening them when done?

 

[Akapeterc]

I had my local shipwrights take my front windows out and reseal them to stop them leaking. All the old sealant had to be fully removed from the openings and frames. The plexi glass had to be replaced, when it was put back in, the change in stress caused lots of cracks around the edges. So don't try and put the old glass back in use new stuff.

 

[sailor5017]

thanx for info have stopped leaks temporarily with a light caulking over top of old sealant on outside of the plexi glass. how did they remove the old plexi....??what did they use for sealant after frames were cleaned up? the ones on my boat looked like they used a butyl tape to set the plexi glass in the frame

thanx for your reply...

 

[Akapeterc]

They had to remove all the screws and frame inside and cut the sealed sealant to break the join and leaver the window out. They took the frame apart and got the plexiglass out at the workshop. they cleaned the openings right back completely. Not sure what sealant they used but if you get in touch with a glass supplier I am sure they could advise you. Maybe contact Hunter, they are always helpful. I should have taken notice as it was done twice the second time at there cost.