I finally made it out to the lake after being "too busy" for way too long. I found that most of my windows are leaking. The seals appear to be OK, but the windows are obviously leaking. I found a post that mentioned the curved windows leaking, but did not say any more. Has someone else had this problem and if so what is the solution? Thanks for the help, Dave
OC281 Leaking Windows
- Thread starter YBSLO
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Clean the seals
Clean all of the seals on the inside of the windows. They have a tendency to build up dirt, pollen, etc and allow for smalls leaks. The best way to prevent it is to keep them clean. If it appears as thought the water may be coming in from around the frame then tighten up all the allen screws. If you've never done this you may find that many of them are loose.
Clean all of the seals on the inside of the windows. They have a tendency to build up dirt, pollen, etc and allow for smalls leaks. The best way to prevent it is to keep them clean. If it appears as thought the water may be coming in from around the frame then tighten up all the allen screws. If you've never done this you may find that many of them are loose.
Had a similar problem on my 281
Fixed all but the portlite over the chart table by cleaning out the caulk on the outside where the 2 aluminum pieces meet. Once the caulk has been removed, just in the slots between the two pieces, recalk them with silicone sealer. This is definitely the easiest, first step. On the one that Still leaked, I replaced the inside gasket. It is not hard but it is tedious getting the old gasket and all the sealer out of the channel. I used a sharp knife, small flat blade screw driver, and dental picks. If you need to identify your portlite sizes or need a source for ordering gaskets, let me know. I have all that info around here somewhere. I think I have an extra gasket that fits the portlites over the chart table and the galley. Good luck
Fixed all but the portlite over the chart table by cleaning out the caulk on the outside where the 2 aluminum pieces meet. Once the caulk has been removed, just in the slots between the two pieces, recalk them with silicone sealer. This is definitely the easiest, first step. On the one that Still leaked, I replaced the inside gasket. It is not hard but it is tedious getting the old gasket and all the sealer out of the channel. I used a sharp knife, small flat blade screw driver, and dental picks. If you need to identify your portlite sizes or need a source for ordering gaskets, let me know. I have all that info around here somewhere. I think I have an extra gasket that fits the portlites over the chart table and the galley. Good luck
Common problem
This is a common Lewmar problem and Bill pretty much pinpoints the problem. The aluminum frame, which is in two pieces, is actually a hollow extrusion that is bent to form U-shape pieces which are then put together to form the portlight. The seal at the mating point eventually leaks and water seeps into the hollow of the lower frame. If you remove the latch anchors (the plastic pieces that the latch dogs rotate into to lock the portlight) any remaining water will drain out. Water accumulates in the hollow and seeps out through any holes on the inside of the frame, like the ones where the latch anchors mentioned above screw into. The only way to fix this is to re-seal that joint where top/bottom frames meet. I also drilled very small drain holes on the outside frames at an upward angle near the bottom. If the portlight is subject to submersion this is a way for water to get in, but I found the drain holes to pretty much alleviate the problem even if water does seep in at the joint. The only real way to re-seal the joint, IMO, is to remove the portlight completely and take it apart at the joint and close up the hollow with silicon near the joint. Tim
This is a common Lewmar problem and Bill pretty much pinpoints the problem. The aluminum frame, which is in two pieces, is actually a hollow extrusion that is bent to form U-shape pieces which are then put together to form the portlight. The seal at the mating point eventually leaks and water seeps into the hollow of the lower frame. If you remove the latch anchors (the plastic pieces that the latch dogs rotate into to lock the portlight) any remaining water will drain out. Water accumulates in the hollow and seeps out through any holes on the inside of the frame, like the ones where the latch anchors mentioned above screw into. The only way to fix this is to re-seal that joint where top/bottom frames meet. I also drilled very small drain holes on the outside frames at an upward angle near the bottom. If the portlight is subject to submersion this is a way for water to get in, but I found the drain holes to pretty much alleviate the problem even if water does seep in at the joint. The only real way to re-seal the joint, IMO, is to remove the portlight completely and take it apart at the joint and close up the hollow with silicon near the joint. Tim
Some OC281 exprience from owners
Hi All, I bring this post to some other subject, but I'm heavenly seeking for some owners experience. I'm in the market looking for a used Oceanis 281, and want to know if their any specific issue / expriences / etc. to take into account. I'm looking for pro's and con's... e.g. is the Volvo Penta 10pk enough, or..? Maybe you know some specific weaknesses to look for when examenin this type of boat. BTW I'm from the Netherlands and want to use this boat with my family (two small kids). Any input, documentation or help is appriciated! Thanks in advantage, Marco
Hi All, I bring this post to some other subject, but I'm heavenly seeking for some owners experience. I'm in the market looking for a used Oceanis 281, and want to know if their any specific issue / expriences / etc. to take into account. I'm looking for pro's and con's... e.g. is the Volvo Penta 10pk enough, or..? Maybe you know some specific weaknesses to look for when examenin this type of boat. BTW I'm from the Netherlands and want to use this boat with my family (two small kids). Any input, documentation or help is appriciated! Thanks in advantage, Marco
Marco,
I really like my 281 and do not know of any factory weaknesses. Mine was built in 1996, in the USA and has wheel steering and a Perkins diesel engine. I suspect there are some differences between the European and American built boats but the design is sound and the boat offers a lot for 28.5'/8.7 meter boat. They are pretty light and need to be reefed early but I've been out in 30+ kt winds. I sail on a lake and we don't have an issue with waves so someone who sails theirs in salt water will have to help you on how they handle waves. Good luck
I really like my 281 and do not know of any factory weaknesses. Mine was built in 1996, in the USA and has wheel steering and a Perkins diesel engine. I suspect there are some differences between the European and American built boats but the design is sound and the boat offers a lot for 28.5'/8.7 meter boat. They are pretty light and need to be reefed early but I've been out in 30+ kt winds. I sail on a lake and we don't have an issue with waves so someone who sails theirs in salt water will have to help you on how they handle waves. Good luck
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