[C320-list] Port windows

[tharrison at 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

> On May 20, 2015, at 1:29 PM, "Jeff Hare" <Catalina at thehares.com> wrote:
> 
> 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-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com] On Behalf
> Of tharrison at innovations-plus.com
> Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2015 12:38 PM
> To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
> Subject: [C320-list] Port windows
> 
> 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=
>