LEAKING SKY LIGHTS

[JOHN VASEY]

We recently purchased a 1987 legend 35, and are updating some equipment and interior cushions, the old cushions were in good shape but had water stains on them from the leaking sky lights. We have replaced the sky lights with tinted lexan and they still leak! ANY IDEA'S would be appreciated!

 

[Robert Dean]

Leaky Skylights

I too have replace the Lexan skylights with new ones from Hunter. I used the caulking compound they recommended. But they still leak. I believe the secret is in the preparation of the sky light support base in the overhead and the bottom of the Lexan skylight that sits on the support base. Ihave been told that the surface of the support base and the lexan must be roughed up and ridges cut in the lexan with a small router tool. But this is what I have been told.Hopefull some of the other readers will add their experiences to this constant problem.Bob Dean inS/V Sundance H35

 

[John]

Leak Repair

We've owned a 35 since new in 1988 and spent nearly all that time getting it properly fixed up - leaks being one of the major items.Skylight leaks: Ours leaked until July of 98 when I finally figured out how to stop the leaks. I wrote a detailed description which should be in the archives but I couldn't find it. The long and the short of it is to ensure there is a gap between the Lexan and the coach roof (horizontally and vertically). On the 35.5 models Hunter used "bump-ons" (Hunter parts term), a 1/16-inch thick (approx.) neoprene stick-on spacer under the Lexan - this keeps the sealant from being squished out under the screws. Secondly, in the horizontal direction, there must be a significant gap, say, 3/8-inch minimum. The sealant must be able to stretch like a rubber band. In places my gap was less than 0.003-inches! Thirdly, countersink the screw holes on the underside of the lexan and where they enter the coach roof - this helps to create a sealant "washer". Fourth, drill the screw holes a little larger - this allows sealant to go between the screw and the Lexan. The screw holes were one area which was a frequent source of leaks. Use Dow sealant (#895?)which is available from Hunter parts department. Note that Bayliner uses Dow also! My recommendation is to use Black as this is more resitive to sunlight. To get a uniform width appearance around the skylights I used masking tape and went for about 5/8 to 3/4-inch width - it looks good!It's been 1-1/4 years now and not one leak! If you want to sell one/some of your old skylights please let me know -

 

[John]

Leak Repair addendum

Forgot to mention a detail about applying the sealant around the edges of the plexiglass. As mentioned, sealant works like a rubber band. It should be 'attached' to the ends of the Lexan pannels, not under them. That is, where the Lexan sits on the recess in the coach roof, don't apply sealant under the Lexan, i.e., on the flat recessed area, only apply it on the gap at the end of the Lexan. The sealant should fill up the gap between the Lexan and the coach roof. To keep the sealant from flowing down under the pannel place some 'backer rod', a small diameter foam strip, at the bottom of the gap. This should be available from a builders supply distributor. The only place where sealant should be on the flat surface under the pannel is where the screws are.

 

[John Moore]

Leaking Skylights: Need more info

I have read the posts by John and Robert Dean and would like to contact them or any other owners who have fixed their problems with leaking skylights for more information. Please contact me via e-mail at jrmoore1@yahoo.com.thanks, jrm