I finally got around to replacing my starboard window and rebedding my port window on my 2006 Hunter 31. It was not that hard, I should have done it sooner! First you need a couple dry days or a big tarp. Order 1 tube of Dow 795 (charcoal color) per window (these are the large, frameless windows) Remove the screws from the outside of the window. You do not need to remove the trim ring on the inside of the window. Hunter recommends using some 40lb test monofilament pulled back and forth to cut the old bedding material but that makes it a 2 person job, I just used a 2" thin putty knife. Once you get the old window out you will see where you need to mask off the new window to speed clean up and make a better looking job. Both of my windows leaked and after removing them I see why. The windows should be sanded down on the sealing surface to about 1+ inches in from the edge ( mine were hit and miss and 1/2 inch at best).
The Dow will not stick well to a smooth glossy surface, same with gel coat on the deck, it was hit and miss and was leaking where they did not grind it down at the factory. (Hunter recommends sanding with 600, a little coarser should be ok). I used a drill with a wire brush to remove the old bedding material and that worked well. (bring a blanket with you to cover everything inside the boat below the window, it's messy) Clean with dish detergent and water and let it dry well. Mask the deck and the windows and dry mount them to be sure you have the tape in the right spots. Have some mineral spirits and lots of paper towels handy for cleanup. Apply 1/4"x1" Dow to the deck, tool with putty knife where needed. (marking a couple of the screw holes so you can find them after the bedding covers them, it will make it easier to hit the screw holes when remounting the window). Do not put your knee in the bedding and spread it all over the deck while mounting the window, s**t! Do not over tighten the screws and squeeze out the bedding material, just snug enough to start to squeeze a little. Clean up and come back the next day and tighten a little, then the same thing the next day. (the screws are just to hold the window in place while the silicone adhesive is drying so do not overtighten or the window will warp, crack, and or leak) (I did mine in cool weather so it took quite awhile to dry.) Mask and paint on the silver 1" faux window frame and you are done. If I was replacing both windows I would not paint the trim, I like it better without it but since I was only replacing one window I painted it to match. I ordered the new window from Hunter owners.com and after receiving the wrong side first they replaced it right away and the correct window fit perfectly and all the holes matched perfectly. The November rains have arrived and my boat is dry and I am enjoying sunsets though my window minus the crazing! I am sure others have used other bedding materials and I suspect if the surfaces are properly prepaired they would work just as well, I decided to go with the hunter recommended Dow 795 charcoal silicone.
The Dow will not stick well to a smooth glossy surface, same with gel coat on the deck, it was hit and miss and was leaking where they did not grind it down at the factory. (Hunter recommends sanding with 600, a little coarser should be ok). I used a drill with a wire brush to remove the old bedding material and that worked well. (bring a blanket with you to cover everything inside the boat below the window, it's messy) Clean with dish detergent and water and let it dry well. Mask the deck and the windows and dry mount them to be sure you have the tape in the right spots. Have some mineral spirits and lots of paper towels handy for cleanup. Apply 1/4"x1" Dow to the deck, tool with putty knife where needed. (marking a couple of the screw holes so you can find them after the bedding covers them, it will make it easier to hit the screw holes when remounting the window). Do not put your knee in the bedding and spread it all over the deck while mounting the window, s**t! Do not over tighten the screws and squeeze out the bedding material, just snug enough to start to squeeze a little. Clean up and come back the next day and tighten a little, then the same thing the next day. (the screws are just to hold the window in place while the silicone adhesive is drying so do not overtighten or the window will warp, crack, and or leak) (I did mine in cool weather so it took quite awhile to dry.) Mask and paint on the silver 1" faux window frame and you are done. If I was replacing both windows I would not paint the trim, I like it better without it but since I was only replacing one window I painted it to match. I ordered the new window from Hunter owners.com and after receiving the wrong side first they replaced it right away and the correct window fit perfectly and all the holes matched perfectly. The November rains have arrived and my boat is dry and I am enjoying sunsets though my window minus the crazing! I am sure others have used other bedding materials and I suspect if the surfaces are properly prepaired they would work just as well, I decided to go with the hunter recommended Dow 795 charcoal silicone.
