Help with window leaks

[JeffC21331]

My 2005 hunter 25 has developed a few leaks. It is definately rainwater. I have dried out about a gallon of water after the last two rainstorms. I have found one leak pretty easily. It seems that the side windows, the flat ones that don't open, are not sealed properly. You can push on them from the inside and separate them from the boat. These are pretty big windows and only have four screws in them. They have black sealant that looks like rubber but appears to be something from a tube and not a molded rubber gasket. First, what would you suggest I use to reseal the window to the boat? I plan to remove all traces of the old sealant first. Second, I am assuming that four screws is enough as that is how the boat came from the factory, but it appears that a couple more along the top of the window would help. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Chuck Creel]

window leaks

just replaced my ports and used 4200 to seal around the new windows. So far ,, no leaks. I removed the old caulk with a putty knife and put a small bead of 4200 around the exterior but the inside.Good luck and happy sailing.

 

[Steve Dion]

Dow 795

Jeff:We just resealed some large curved portlights on a Beneteau and we used Dow 795. This stuff is what they use to glaze windows in high rise buildings. It is the same stuff that Hunter used from the factory. I also recaulked some areas on my Hunter Vision 36 with this stuff. I would highly recommend trying it before you try anything else. It will bond with the plexiglass & fiberglass.If there are no little bumps to keep a space between the fiberglass and the plexiglass, I would recommend that you use some small silicone feet like the use on the bottom of vases and such to prevent scuffs on furniture. This prevents the ports from being seated too deep and all of the sealant to be squeezed out of the joint.The Dow product comes in several colors. The charcoal or black are both suitable for the job.

 

[Chuck]

Hunter

On a boat that new, it would seem that the windows were improperly installed by the factory. I would talk to the dealer or Hunter.

 

[Gregg]

Leak

When I had my 290 I had a leak a from a similar window. I used black GE silicone in a caulking gun. Went over the factory stuff and smoothed it with a finger as I went....worked fine.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Dow 795 .......................

.............. is the sealant recommended by Hunter.I recently had a leak in an overhead window on our H310. I was not able to remove the window due to the large contact surface area between the fiberglass and the window and so settled on a third rate job of just putting a new bead of 795 around the edge of the window. It is only because of my devout religious upbringing that this thing is not leaking again. It sure ain't the workmanship that's kept it from leaking.Can anyone offer a procedure for removing these windows to do a proper job of rebedding ? As mentioned above, I have a landing around the windows of about 2" - 3" for the Dow 795 to adhese to. Lots of surface area to break away. I don't see how this window managed to leak in the first place but the water managed to travel through about 2" - 3" of sealant.Thanks and best regards,s/v Island Hunter