We spent the night on the boat during the rain last night to see if we have any leaks. We have two windows that leak a little and one chin plate. This is a 1980 30ft Catalina. I'm pretty handy and fix most things but I was just wondering what is the best sealant to use. Everybody talks about 5200 but I've heard that it's not flexible enough. Why not 100% silicone? What would you use. Thanks Greg
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No To 5200..
DO NOT USE 5200 ON ANY PORTLIGHT YOU EVER WANT TO REMOVE AGAIN!! You can get 100% Silicone from Home Depot and such places..thats the stuff to use.As for the Chain Plate..I have had awsome results with Silk-O-Flex.In both instances,make sure you remove all of the old sealant. Fair Winds>>> David
DO NOT USE 5200 ON ANY PORTLIGHT YOU EVER WANT TO REMOVE AGAIN!! You can get 100% Silicone from Home Depot and such places..thats the stuff to use.As for the Chain Plate..I have had awsome results with Silk-O-Flex.In both instances,make sure you remove all of the old sealant. Fair Winds>>> David
DOW 795
Find an industrial construction supply and see if they sell DOW 795. It is a great product for this application. It is the product that Hunter uses to hold in their large panaramic windows. This stuff is used to glaze windows in sky scrapers too.
Find an industrial construction supply and see if they sell DOW 795. It is a great product for this application. It is the product that Hunter uses to hold in their large panaramic windows. This stuff is used to glaze windows in sky scrapers too.
I hate to say it...
...because I have such a low opinion of West Marine (prices are high) but they're the best place to go because they're all over.If none in your area you can mailorder from them or from Defenders..link below. Good Luck >>>David
...because I have such a low opinion of West Marine (prices are high) but they're the best place to go because they're all over.If none in your area you can mailorder from them or from Defenders..link below. Good Luck >>>David
It depends
If your portlights leak you are going to have to remove them and really fix them at some point so you might as well do it now. Nothing looks less "bristol" than a boat with caulk all over its portlights. Older Catalinas use a frame around the portlights while newer Catalinas use Dow 795 to seal the Lexan right to the cabin. Both items can be gotten from Catala Direct which, in my opinion, is a wonderful source for Catalina owners. In any case, do the job right and you will be glad you did. We removed and resealed all the portlights on our 1986 C22 a few years ago. Took several hours but it worked and they looked great. My two cents.
If your portlights leak you are going to have to remove them and really fix them at some point so you might as well do it now. Nothing looks less "bristol" than a boat with caulk all over its portlights. Older Catalinas use a frame around the portlights while newer Catalinas use Dow 795 to seal the Lexan right to the cabin. Both items can be gotten from Catala Direct which, in my opinion, is a wonderful source for Catalina owners. In any case, do the job right and you will be glad you did. We removed and resealed all the portlights on our 1986 C22 a few years ago. Took several hours but it worked and they looked great. My two cents.
Thanks
Thanks Randy I found a place close by that carries Dow 795 in various colors. I will stop tomorrow and pick up a couple of tubes. Sounds like this stuff will work on chin plates too.
Thanks Randy I found a place close by that carries Dow 795 in various colors. I will stop tomorrow and pick up a couple of tubes. Sounds like this stuff will work on chin plates too.
Prep!
Greg, you must remove all of the old sealant. It may look like it should stay there but you must remove it. It is a tough job requiring a razor blade. Then use lots of blue masking tape around the portlight on the inside and outside. Also tape the portlight lexan itself everywhere you do not want the 795. Do that now while the windows are still in place. This stuff is effective and it is also A BIG MESS!!! Use lots of tape!! Preparation is everything with this job. Do one window at a time. Put down a healthy bead of the 795, don't skimp. Then place the lexan and put in the screws. I worked inside while my wife worked outside cleaning away the excess 795. This is a two person job. You need to move quickly as the 795 will start to cure and you want to be done before that happens. Once it starts to cure, stop and trim excess later with a razor. Your best bet is place the lexan and then wipe away the excess without dallying. Did I say to use lots of blue tape? If you tape well and move with precision the job will look great and wont leak a drop.
Greg, you must remove all of the old sealant. It may look like it should stay there but you must remove it. It is a tough job requiring a razor blade. Then use lots of blue masking tape around the portlight on the inside and outside. Also tape the portlight lexan itself everywhere you do not want the 795. Do that now while the windows are still in place. This stuff is effective and it is also A BIG MESS!!! Use lots of tape!! Preparation is everything with this job. Do one window at a time. Put down a healthy bead of the 795, don't skimp. Then place the lexan and put in the screws. I worked inside while my wife worked outside cleaning away the excess 795. This is a two person job. You need to move quickly as the 795 will start to cure and you want to be done before that happens. Once it starts to cure, stop and trim excess later with a razor. Your best bet is place the lexan and then wipe away the excess without dallying. Did I say to use lots of blue tape? If you tape well and move with precision the job will look great and wont leak a drop.
Thanks Randy
We have the aluminum frame port lights but I'm sure the procedures is the same. Thanks again for the heads up on prep and characteristic's of 795. This will help allot.
We have the aluminum frame port lights but I'm sure the procedures is the same. Thanks again for the heads up on prep and characteristic's of 795. This will help allot.
Pirate Dude
I dress up like a Pirate at Holloween (and any other chance I get during the year) and that pic is of part of my outfit..and one of my weapons of choice,a Blunderbuss.
I dress up like a Pirate at Holloween (and any other chance I get during the year) and that pic is of part of my outfit..and one of my weapons of choice,a Blunderbuss.
LancerDude is no pirate
I know pirates. Some of my best friends are pirates. None of them wear silly orange clothes and a bandana. LancerDude, you are no pirate. You must immediately go see the Pirates of the Carribean trilogy and reform yourself before you are forced to walk the plank. You are a scallywag!
I know pirates. Some of my best friends are pirates. None of them wear silly orange clothes and a bandana. LancerDude, you are no pirate. You must immediately go see the Pirates of the Carribean trilogy and reform yourself before you are forced to walk the plank. You are a scallywag!
True To History..and "The Code"..
Actually,thats not a very good pic of me.And,it's not orange..it's VERY bright Red with alot of Lace.I generally wear a hat (also VERY bright red) not the bandana,it was just handy when that pic was taken.You really should see the 17th century Boarding Sabre,Dueling Pistol and the Blunderbuss that go with it when it's all togeather..and..lastly...SMILE when yoou call me a Scallywag...or you'll face worse than Stranding. LOL Enjoy & Fair Winds>>> David
Actually,thats not a very good pic of me.And,it's not orange..it's VERY bright Red with alot of Lace.I generally wear a hat (also VERY bright red) not the bandana,it was just handy when that pic was taken.You really should see the 17th century Boarding Sabre,Dueling Pistol and the Blunderbuss that go with it when it's all togeather..and..lastly...SMILE when yoou call me a Scallywag...or you'll face worse than Stranding. LOL Enjoy & Fair Winds>>> David
Ek, NautiDuck (Randy K)
I don't remember any pirates coming from your neck of the woods? It be! But there be pirates in NJ... Therefore if it is anyone that be a pirate, it be me! But LancerDude does have a nice puffy shirt... Ek, it should be white, it should be!
I don't remember any pirates coming from your neck of the woods? It be! But there be pirates in NJ... Therefore if it is anyone that be a pirate, it be me! But LancerDude does have a nice puffy shirt... Ek, it should be white, it should be!
White is for Toilet Paper..
..obviously..there are those who dont know thier Pirate History..Red..and "fluffy" are perfectly acceptable..and historically correct...not to mention...I JUST LOOK GOOD IN IT. Not just any Dude can wear Red..AND Lace and look this good. LOL
..obviously..there are those who dont know thier Pirate History..Red..and "fluffy" are perfectly acceptable..and historically correct...not to mention...I JUST LOOK GOOD IN IT. Not just any Dude can wear Red..AND Lace and look this good. LOL
Re: White is for Toilet Paper..
Err, it be true. The lad be tellen the truth, be he. List of Pirate Clothing The following list details the items of pirate clothing and some interesting facts and information about various items of Pirate Clothing: Motley clothing - bright mis-matched colors Bandana - A pirate clothing item which kept the sweat out of the pirate's eyes Tri-cornered hat - made of various materials including leather Doublet or coat - Expensive item of pirate clothing. Long clothes, including the doublet were a style of pirate clothing best suited to land. Decorated with ornate braids and fabrics Breeches - trousers were generally only worn by English pirates Knitted caps called Monmouth caps Waistcoats - flamboyant addition to pirate clothing
Err, it be true. The lad be tellen the truth, be he. List of Pirate Clothing The following list details the items of pirate clothing and some interesting facts and information about various items of Pirate Clothing: Motley clothing - bright mis-matched colors Bandana - A pirate clothing item which kept the sweat out of the pirate's eyes Tri-cornered hat - made of various materials including leather Doublet or coat - Expensive item of pirate clothing. Long clothes, including the doublet were a style of pirate clothing best suited to land. Decorated with ornate braids and fabrics Breeches - trousers were generally only worn by English pirates Knitted caps called Monmouth caps Waistcoats - flamboyant addition to pirate clothing
Don't use epoxy!!!! 
The aftermarket window in our head leaked terribly and last year during a torrential all day downpour I had enough and grabbed a tube of epoxy....'cause it works under water (duh)....and filled every nook and cranny of that darn portlight. Now I have a leaky, aftermarket head portlight that doesn't open and will remain in place long after a nuclear attack. I think that was a result of desparation mixed with rum. OK, maybe it was just the rum. It's always the rum. Jack Manning s/v Victim of Fate Atlantic City, NJ
The aftermarket window in our head leaked terribly and last year during a torrential all day downpour I had enough and grabbed a tube of epoxy....'cause it works under water (duh)....and filled every nook and cranny of that darn portlight. Now I have a leaky, aftermarket head portlight that doesn't open and will remain in place long after a nuclear attack. I think that was a result of desparation mixed with rum. OK, maybe it was just the rum. It's always the rum. Jack Manning s/v Victim of Fate Atlantic City, NJ
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