Three of the six windows on our '76 C27 that we just got leak when it rains. Any advice or tricks on repairing the windows?? Thanks George
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L
L-Seelig
That was this years pre-seasn project.
I wanted to tint my windows and thought it would be easier if I took them out to do it and I needed to fix the leaks anyway... I thought wrong. Don't get me wrong; it was not a bad idea just not that easy. When you take the windows out of the boat, make sure you have someone outside standing in front of the window so you don't lose it over the side. The window frames split and there is a seal around the glass. Getting them apart was a snap. Putting them back together was another story. I found after the first one if I used a little dishwashing soap as a lubricant it went a little better. The seals are available at Catalina Direct for about $30. The interior rubber, inside the cabin between the window and frame, is mainly cosmetic and costs about the same. (Be very specific with CD when you order to make sure you get what you need.) Use the butyl rubber sealer for the outside, between the frame and the outside bulkhead, it is easier to apply and makes for a better seal. I got mine from an RV supply. After you have reset the windows just take a razor or sharp knife and cut away the excess sealer that pushes out when you screw the frames back in. If you have any more questions e-mail me at lysle_s@hotmail.com It's really not that hard but a little cussing may occur. Just make sure the kids or those with sensitive ears are off somewhere else when you go to put them back together. Lysle
I wanted to tint my windows and thought it would be easier if I took them out to do it and I needed to fix the leaks anyway... I thought wrong. Don't get me wrong; it was not a bad idea just not that easy. When you take the windows out of the boat, make sure you have someone outside standing in front of the window so you don't lose it over the side. The window frames split and there is a seal around the glass. Getting them apart was a snap. Putting them back together was another story. I found after the first one if I used a little dishwashing soap as a lubricant it went a little better. The seals are available at Catalina Direct for about $30. The interior rubber, inside the cabin between the window and frame, is mainly cosmetic and costs about the same. (Be very specific with CD when you order to make sure you get what you need.) Use the butyl rubber sealer for the outside, between the frame and the outside bulkhead, it is easier to apply and makes for a better seal. I got mine from an RV supply. After you have reset the windows just take a razor or sharp knife and cut away the excess sealer that pushes out when you screw the frames back in. If you have any more questions e-mail me at lysle_s@hotmail.com It's really not that hard but a little cussing may occur. Just make sure the kids or those with sensitive ears are off somewhere else when you go to put them back together. Lysle
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John M.
Effective window seal w/o lots of work
I've used Capt.Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure with great success - am too lazy to disassemble windows! Stuff works for about 3-4 years in So. Fla. heat, and LOTS of rain. Try west marine or BOAT US.
I've used Capt.Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure with great success - am too lazy to disassemble windows! Stuff works for about 3-4 years in So. Fla. heat, and LOTS of rain. Try west marine or BOAT US.
G
George
Catalina Direct's approach
Talked with Catalina Direct about there window seal stuff. Essentially they sell the window gasket that the glass goes into as a kit that runs about $30 and is enough to do all the windows on a C27 and is the "functional" part of the window repair. They also have another kit (about $30) that is the cosmetic insert for the inside of the windows, that makes them look nice but is not "functional" in the sense of keeping leaks out. They also recommended the use of sealant ($14 for a tube that should be enough for all the windows), and acknowledged that a lot of people don't realize that the gasket alone won't do the job. According to the guy I spoke with, if you imagine the gasket as "u" shaped, you need to put sealant on both outside edges/walls of the U gasket, and then also run a bead down the inside bottom of the "u" to seal the glass. Sounds like a plan to me. . . . . I think I will take some masking tape and run strips top to bottom across the window and about 3" each above and below to avoid the flying/falling window problem. There is probably some merit to the idea for my wife and daughter to be elsewhere, but then I wouldn't have my "co-captain/Commodore of the Fleet" and little 18 month old deckhand available to help with the job . . . I'll keep you posted on how it turns out. I will have to say that getting this '76 C27 to restore and enjoy is already becoming an adventure. . . .
Talked with Catalina Direct about there window seal stuff. Essentially they sell the window gasket that the glass goes into as a kit that runs about $30 and is enough to do all the windows on a C27 and is the "functional" part of the window repair. They also have another kit (about $30) that is the cosmetic insert for the inside of the windows, that makes them look nice but is not "functional" in the sense of keeping leaks out. They also recommended the use of sealant ($14 for a tube that should be enough for all the windows), and acknowledged that a lot of people don't realize that the gasket alone won't do the job. According to the guy I spoke with, if you imagine the gasket as "u" shaped, you need to put sealant on both outside edges/walls of the U gasket, and then also run a bead down the inside bottom of the "u" to seal the glass. Sounds like a plan to me. . . . . I think I will take some masking tape and run strips top to bottom across the window and about 3" each above and below to avoid the flying/falling window problem. There is probably some merit to the idea for my wife and daughter to be elsewhere, but then I wouldn't have my "co-captain/Commodore of the Fleet" and little 18 month old deckhand available to help with the job . . . I'll keep you posted on how it turns out. I will have to say that getting this '76 C27 to restore and enjoy is already becoming an adventure. . . .
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Nate Jackson
easy fix
I did this project on a c-25 last year. look carefully at the seal on the outside of the boat, it probably contains some silicone type sealant already... take a knife, and carefully score the sealant on the edge by the rubber, going under the rubber to cut out a "V" shape of the silicone sealer. glass_________ silicone___ <new sealer goes in here rubber______< knife cut after you make this cut around the circumference of the window, carefully pull out the silicone. most of it will come out in a continuous strip if you are careful. gently pull back the rubber with your fingers and scrape the old silicone off the window carefully. then go to an auto parts store and buy some silicone windshield sealer (about 3 bucks). one tube will do 1 or 2 windows. put masking tape on the window and the seal to guard against over-run of the sealant.after you apply the sealant, push it in with a fingertip or tool and form a bead like around your bathtub. let it dry and remove the tape, and no leaks. about 1/2 to 3/4 hours per window. 15 minutes for the last couple. nate
I did this project on a c-25 last year. look carefully at the seal on the outside of the boat, it probably contains some silicone type sealant already... take a knife, and carefully score the sealant on the edge by the rubber, going under the rubber to cut out a "V" shape of the silicone sealer. glass_________ silicone___ <new sealer goes in here rubber______< knife cut after you make this cut around the circumference of the window, carefully pull out the silicone. most of it will come out in a continuous strip if you are careful. gently pull back the rubber with your fingers and scrape the old silicone off the window carefully. then go to an auto parts store and buy some silicone windshield sealer (about 3 bucks). one tube will do 1 or 2 windows. put masking tape on the window and the seal to guard against over-run of the sealant.after you apply the sealant, push it in with a fingertip or tool and form a bead like around your bathtub. let it dry and remove the tape, and no leaks. about 1/2 to 3/4 hours per window. 15 minutes for the last couple. nate
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Jon
Check out Trailer Sailor
Check out www.trailersailor.com A little while ago a post was made that described the job very accurately. Good Luck with it....
Check out www.trailersailor.com A little while ago a post was made that described the job very accurately. Good Luck with it....
M
MJ
Where is the leak?
The leak could be at 1. the glass/sealant interface or 2. the exterior window frame/deck interface. I have had both over the years. The glass/seant is easier to fix in that you don't really have to dissemble the window unit. The frame/deck leak was more difficult in that the window had to come out and you have to re-bed the frame. I think Catalina used a product called "Sikaflex" to bed the windows. It is industrial sealant used on construction jobsites. I got the stuff from Catalina Direct, but ended up not using it. You really don't need it. Good luck.
The leak could be at 1. the glass/sealant interface or 2. the exterior window frame/deck interface. I have had both over the years. The glass/seant is easier to fix in that you don't really have to dissemble the window unit. The frame/deck leak was more difficult in that the window had to come out and you have to re-bed the frame. I think Catalina used a product called "Sikaflex" to bed the windows. It is industrial sealant used on construction jobsites. I got the stuff from Catalina Direct, but ended up not using it. You really don't need it. Good luck.
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