[C320-list] Port windows

[thar...@innovations-plus.com]

I have a 1997 hull 424.

The opening port side windows leak. In addition there is a cream colour insert in side that is cracked.

Has any one replaced the opening port (lewmar) windows?

Ted

Sent from my iPhone

[JJ Morrison]

Yes, there should be articles on the web site describing the repair procedure. It involves removing the gasket between the two halves of the outside frame (dental pick works well for this). Once this is done you use a suitable caulking to fill the gap. I did this 4 years ago and still water tite.
Cheers
JohnM
1999#574

[Doug Treff]

I also made the same repair using this method. I can say that without a
doubt it worked. Try this BEFORE you go replacing the entire window and
see if it solves your problem. If you devote 1 entire day to making this
repair, you could fix all of your windows in one session. Get them all
taped up first and then go around with the caulk and do each one like an
assembly line. I used the white 4200 and it looks factory. You can buy a
cheap set of dental picks at Harbor freight that will help you yank out
the old gasket material.

Below is a link to a blog article from someone who owns a C-36 and
repaired his fixed ports the same way. These fixed ports (like the ones
we have on our C320's) also have the same joint in the frame, though
mine haven't leaked yet. The pictures are very useful and if you've
spent any amount of time studying your ports, you can see that the
repair process is very similar. When you do yours, do it with the window
open, and make sure to tape off the inside of the frame as well as the
mating surface where the window closes and the o-ring to prevent getting
any sealant where it doesn't belong. I highly recommend caulking the
inside as well as the outside. The inside trim frame is only held on
with Velcro and will come off easily with a little tug.

http://blog.taas.it/2013/05/for-catalina-36-ia-community.html [1]

Good luck, and feel free to drop me a line if you have questions, as I
have done all of my windows this way even if they haven't leaked yet.

As for the cracked "insert", I assume you mean this:
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/1517_694/opening-port-replacement-trim-lewmar-5-x-12.cfm

Unfortunaltely, they are no longer available. You'll have to make a
repair of some kind.

---
Doug Treff
Catalina 320 - 1996 - September Song - #350
http://savvysailor.blogspot.com/
do...@treff.us

On 2015-05-20 12:38, thar...@innovations-plus.com wrote:

> I have a 1997 hull 424.
>
> The opening port side windows leak. In addition there is a cream colour insert in side that is cracked.
>
> Has any one replaced the opening port (lewmar) windows?

Links:
------
[1] http://blog.taas.it/2013/05/for-catalina-36-ia-community.html

[Jeff Hare]

Ted,

Many options here as you've already learned. There are 4 simple things you
can do/check and see if this fixes your problems before resorting to
rebedding, because that's often not required.

From your hull number I suspect you have the more rectangular version of the
side opening portlights.

1. Looking at them from the outside, the aluminum frame is composed of a top
piece and a bottom piece. Where they meet on the left and right, you may
see a horizontal black stripe that may/may not still be filled with black
sealant. First thing here is that these need to be sealed to prevent water
from getting in there. When water gets into the frame, it has nowhere to go
but inside the boat.

2. Remove the plastic trim piece on the inside (it should just snap off).
This exposes the clamping bolts that hold the frame snug to the hull. On
our boat, several of these had loosened up to the point where I could just
spin them easily with my fingers. Snug these up but don't be overly
aggressive. Check around the seal for any obvious signs of water intrusion.
If step 1 above needed to be done, and/or the bolts were really loose, this
could easily account for water coming in the frame.

3. The rubber portlight seals are relatively easy to replace if they're
really worn and will stop water coming in through the glass/rubber seal
area. If they don't look in bad shape, wash them with soapy water, and also
ensure that the glass is clean where they meet. Use some plumbers o-ring
grease to lubricate these seals and make a clean fit. Dirt on the windows
will allow water to weep in, so always try to keep the glass and rubber
seals clean and lubricated.

4. Your boat may have dogs that can be adjusted somewhat for closing the
windows. If they don't close tightly, then the dogs may need to be adjusted
slightly to apply more pressure. If they cannot be adjusted, then new seals
will solve this problem.

Only if these things don't solve the leak should you attempt to re-bed them.
The bedding may be fine, but one or more of the above might be causing the
leak and they're much easier to fix. Lewmar came and did a full
presentation of how to fix leaks in these different portlight styles when we
were at the San Diego Coronado regatta. There may be documents on the
website related to fixing leaks here, but I cannot remember offhand.

Good luck!

-Jeff Hare
#809

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-list [mailto:c320-lis...@lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
Of thar...@innovations-plus.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 12:38 PM
To: C320...@Catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] Port windows

Sent from my iPhone=

[thar...@innovations-plus.com]

Thanks Doug, Jeff and John for the solution.

I completed the four windows in the cabin ( 2 port and 2 starboard).

It rained last night and no leaks.

Kind regards.

Ted Harrison
Hull 424

Sent from my iPhone