Odd Leaks

sailaway78 · Mar 16, 2009

A shot in the dark

I have two ideas on this. The most logical to me is that the boarding seas, were putting a lot of pressure on the window. More than likely from a direction not normally encountered, and under more normal conditions, such as plain ol rain, they won't leak. Second, and to me less likely, is some flex or movement, which could possibly break the seal. Depending on the caulk used, if it is still somewhat soft and sticky, could reseal itself.

Rob19574 · Mar 16, 2009

Is the boat on the hard? Another theory is that they are leaking but the water is following another route within the cabin liner and down somewhere else? Sounds like you should rebed them to be same.

- Rob

Stu Jackson · Mar 16, 2009

Replacement PORTLIGHTS

They only leak because they're NOT windows...

Are they the fixed aluminum frames or just dark plastic like on the "newer" boats? If they're aluminum framed, I'd go to the C30 website, they have experts on that topic. The C27 and C25 websites would also help. There are detailed explanations for the aluminum frame replacements.

For "newer" non-aluminum fixed portlights, see our discussions here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,3240.0.html and read the links, and here: http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4812.0.html. (see particularly Reply #4 on the second link, important!!!

They're just beveled edge plastic set into a small recess in the cabintop. Some suggest special material for bedding, others just silicone or Life Caulk (but assure this product is OK with the plastic, some aren't). Some don't have screws, we do - small ones that do more to help the bedding set than they do holding in the fixed portlight.

Anything else, let us know.

stephenronning · Mar 16, 2009

Hello: It's possible that the windows never leaked. Leaks in sailboats can originate most anywhere then run down and fall off somewhere completely different. It's hard to track them down sometimes. I replaced my portlights a few years back. It was a rewarding project. I bought a portable folding workbench. A bunch of Plexi, a jigsaw and cheap sililcone and it worked out great! Saved a ton of money and the plexi was a good choice for myself.
Best wishes,
Stephen
s/v Sirius
Settle WA

stephenronning · Mar 16, 2009

OH yeah, believe it or not I used the cheapest silicone they had at wal-mart and like I said the stuff worked great! It was clear slicone. I took off the frames, scraped the hull and the frames, used a sharpi to trace the window right there onto the plexi and cut it on LOW SETTING with the jigsaw..took me one afternoon to do all windows.
Good luck and feel free to email me with anymore questions. stephenronning@hotmail.com
Stephen
s/v Sirius Cal 2-25
Seattle

Steve Dion · Mar 16, 2009

I would suggest that you use DOW 795 to rebed these fixed ports. It is an excellent product. It is a commercial product that is used to glaze windows in skyscrapers. It comes in different colors so you can match it up to your acrylic. I think you will find the 795 less expensive than the "cheap silicone".

Stu Jackson · Mar 16, 2009

Please read the links

Bad Obsession said:
Mine is a 1990 Catalina 30 MKii so it is the plastic windows. Life seal to seal them? I thought that I shouldn't use silicone on them.

and the one I suggested you read reply #4. Who said you can't? And I also suggested you check on the portlight material's "agreement" with the bedding material.

Mac Daddy · Mar 16, 2009

Use butyl tape