Cloudy O'Day 22 Viewports

Stu Timm · Oct 29, 2002

I have a 1979 O'Day 22 centerboard model. The cabin viewports are leaking and the tinted acrylic "glazing" material has become cloudy and rather hard to see through. My question is has anyone ever replaced these windows and how is it done?My windows have a built-out molding on the interior side with screws every few inches. The molding seems to be a two piece type, with a locking trim over a base molding. The exterior molding around the glazing is like an automobile's windshield, and is small with no visable fasteners or release points.I am hesitant to try and remove the windows for fear of destroying the moldings in the process and not being able to replace them. Otherwise, it's get out the caulking gun and caulk the suckers up to the hilt on the outside, and deal with looking out of cloudy windows. At least it negates the need for curtains!I would like to replace the acrylic with 1/8 plexiglass from Home Depot (yes, they sell it where I live) and re-use (hopefully) the mouldings to re-bed the acrylic into the opening and lock it in place with the moulding. Sounds reasonable in theory, but I am not sure what I'll run into.Thanks for reading this and thanks even more for your input folks. This is a great site!Happy (winter?) sailing!Stu Timm"Karakahl"1979 O'Day 22 CBCenterport, Long Is.

Justin - O'day Owners' Web · Oct 29, 2002

Guessing

I suspect that you unscrew the inside ring and the window pops out toward the outside of the boat. You will be left with a window with a flange toward the outside. typically that unit is in two pieces. A couple of more screws should allow you to split it and remove the 'glass.'I am guessing here - but this is typical. Someone else may jump in and correct me. At a minimum I'd remove the screws and see what happens. Be very gentle removing stuff. Modern sealants are stronger than the things they're sealing sometimes. If you can't get the windows out try using a guitar string as a wire saw. Slide it under the flange from the outside and use it to break the sealant.Justin - O'day Owners' Webq

Brad · Oct 29, 2002

Justin's right on....

...about the removal process. I did this about 8-9 years ago on an O22. I'm a little fuzzy on the exact process, but you basically unscrew in the inner piece and it shuld pop right off. Then, working from the inside, gently press out the outer piece. The outer flange was cracked in places so I had to be careful. I cleaned mine up and rebedded with some type clear of (household) silcon sealant, loosely tightened the inner screws, and let set until it cured. Then tightened all the way. I also applied caulk the the outside around the flange and on the cracked portions. No leaks since. I don't recall precisely how to replace the actual window material, but I don't think it's too difficult. Brad A.O22

Stu Timm · Oct 30, 2002

Thanks!

Thanks very much for your input Justin and Brad. I'll give it a try soon if the weather will permit. It sounds like the tricky part is seperating the outside white plastic flange from the "clear" acrylic part of the window "pane". I;ll have to go at it really slow with a few "hail mary's" tossed in. Otherwise, it's "creativity time" as I figure out how to make a water-tight glazed opening in my boat.Thanks again,Stu Timm"Karakahl"1979 O-Day 22 CBCenterport, LI