Acrylic Cabin Window Replacement

[Coyote]

On my 85 Oday 28 ---
I was horrified to find a top to bottom crack in my cabin window a few days ago. There were a few additional cracks in the corners around the screws, probably over-tightened.
I had read a lot about going with an adhesive only installation and foregoing the screws. I figured the screws, washers, and holes were already there, so as they say,, SCREW IT!
I found a local custom plastics shop that would cut a new window, using the old window as a template, for size, shape, color, and screw holes.
It was suggested I use LifeSeal as an adhesive to the cabin frame, and as a bead as a caulk to seal the new window.
It came out GREAT! Had the screws and washers painted flat black, so they are barely visible,,, a more updated look,, for $70,,

cheers,
Coyote

 

[njlarry]

Looks great.
Did you add the Dorade boxes too?

 

[Coyote]

Thank you sir!
The Dorade boxes were there when we purchased the boat,,
They add GREAT ventilation below, and may consider re-finishing them as well,,

cheers,
Coyote

 

[agprice22]

Looks great! When I replaced my acrylic portlights in my 272, I learned the screws were only there to keep the acrylic in place while the Dow adhesive / sealant cured. Once the sealant is cured, the screws are superfluous. In fact, because the acrylic expands and contracts in cold and heat, the screws may cause cracks if they are over-tightened. Look at your acrylic from a low angle in the light. If you see the surface bend around the screws, they should be loosened. I over-drilled my screw holes, so there would be plenty of play, and I checked to be certain there were no over-tightened screws. I left them in because they were painted black and filled the holes. The new acrylic ports look great! I also replaced my opening ports, and they look great too.

It is a maintenance item that makes the boat look sharp! I got many compliments on my 1987 272 when we brough it to our current marina. There are several sharp looking 272s in my marina. My boat is proud to be one of them.

Again, yours look great!







Thanks,

Andrew

 

[Coyote]

Thank you!

I have admired the restoration/renovation efforts of your 272

cheers,
Coyote

 

[Scherzando]

Have you also replaced your teak eyebrow trim with a striping material?

Scherzando
ODay 28 1985

 

[Coyote]

Sadly, it was removed by the PO, we used Seafit Striping Tape in it's place,
I thought of replacing the teak,,, but with the Florida sun,,, maybe not
as I've suggested,
you NEVER realize how much teak you have, until you have to refinish it!

cheers,
Coyote

 

[njlarry]

Too true!

 

[Capt jgw]

Have you also replaced your teak eyebrow trim with a striping material?

Scherzando
ODay 28 1985

I'm in the process of replacing the eyebrow on my Columbia 36 with a strip of PVC decking board. The eyebrow is a one inch wide half-round with a kind of "S" bend in the middle, made of three pieces of teak. At 45 years old it's sanded down to nothing in a couple places. I'm replacing it with a single strip of PVC and I can heat bend the curves. Should end up looking like the original and will never need refinishing. Next step will be the hand rails and cockpit coamings.

 

[Coyote]

sounds like a great idea,,
any images???

cheers,
Coyote

 

[Pat]

I think the secret is using Dow Corning 795 caulk as it will expand and contract...used for car windshields.....the screws don't do much other than hold it in place I guess...I learned the hard way as we used silicone and the windows we bought from Rudy cracked with the first hard freeze....then I read the instructions.

 

[Coyote]

I asked for a recommendation from the owner of the business that cut the new acrylic window -- he STRONGLY suggested I use LifeSeal, fine,,,
as he stated, some products will actually "digest" the acrylic material

I had no issues or complaints about the use of LifeSeal during the installation process,,
so far no problem,,,

time will tell!
cheers,
Coyote

 

[Pat]

Coyate, if it has survived the heat/freeze/thaw cycle you should be good to go....ours cracked into a
half million pieces......our replacement was from Rudy at D & R and I'm not sure what the material was...either lexan or acrylic ....Is exactly the same as the original portlights in the main cabin......Pat

 

[Panta Rei]

Dow 795 is the most thoroughly specified and tested product on the market. It's been used for years in this application. Only use alternatives if they are recommended by the acrylic supplier as in Coyote's case.

 

[shozbot]

If you decide just to use the dow 795 and not screw it down, how do you hold the window in place while the 795 cures?

 

[Pat]

We did put the screws back in just to hold it in place while curing but I can't see any reason to remove them now after two years.....it would just show the screw holes we had drilled in the new portlight.

 

[njlarry]

If you decide just to use the dow 795 and not screw it down, how do you hold the window in place while the 795 cures?

First use 3m vhb tape 1/8 thick that will both hold the pane in place and give the proper thickness to the 795 seal.
Second you can use wood shims to also hold it against gravity if you like.
I posted pics here, a search will show them.
With careful masking it came out well.

 

[Cambriaman63]

Dow Corning 795 Silicone Building Sealant...would anyone disagree this is the proper sealant to use, even for Lake superior? Winters are cold!!

And as far as window replacent, Acrylic, Plexiglass or lifeseal (which I've never heqard of...)?

 

[Coyote]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
"BoatLIFE LifeSeal Polyurethane/Silicone Sealant is a one part, fast curing, low odor, high adhesion, non-sag compound. LifeSeal is excellent for sealing decks to hulls, underwater thru hull fittings, vinyl ports, windshield setting glaze and the bedding of marine hardware. It retains excellent adhesion and elasticity under all weather conditions. "

fwiw,
Coyote
[/FONT]

 

[Cambriaman63]

Thanks everyone, this helped a great Deal. Gregg on "Candyce B"