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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/11/2003 : 22:59:07

My 1978 forward ports are leaking. I pulled the one over the head off today. The aluminum frame is badly corroded. What I did for now is clean out the frame as best I could, caulk the sliding glass closed and put it back on. I'd like to replace the entire window and frame on both sides, ideally with opening ports, and ideally under $100 each.

The outside measurement of the oval frame is 7" x 16". Does anyone know how big is the actual hole and what size port is needed? West Marine and Boat US have some generic frames.

This item is not in the Catalina Direct catalog. Where can I get a decent window and frame?

By the way, I put new weather striping in all windows today. I am surprised that Catalina used such cheap and awful windows and frames. I was also surprised to see that the cabin structure has very thin fiberglass and a thin plywood core.

Even though the windows leak, the plywood core is OK due to keeping the boat in a climate with such little rain and humidity all these years.

Thanks for your help.

PS. Sailnet has a Bomar hatch which seems to be a close fit at $112.

http://www.sailnet.com/store/item.cfm?pid=27331

I'll call CD tomorrow.

Indiscipline 1978 FK SR #398

Edited by - JimB517 on 11/11/2003 23:56:02

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2003 : 23:51:17

I'm pretty sure that Catalina Direct offers a replacement window even though it may not be shown in their catalog. I saw a poster report here that it takes a little 'rasp' work to enlarge the opening a bit.

I too was surprised at how thin the coachroof sides were... compared to the rest of the boat which IMHO is fairly substantial. I guerss it's part of what defines the C25 as a 'Coastal Cruiser'. I don't think that structure would take too many breaking waves.

I examined the 'glazing' channel pn my leaking windows and decided that it was ok.
Simply re-bedded the window frames into the openings with boatlife or 101... all leaks stopped.

There is 'putty strip' available from most RV suppliers is supposed to make the re-bedding easier. It appears that's what the factory used. (found this out too late for my job).. but perhaps the 101 will outlast that stuff anyway.

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2003 : 00:36:44

Hi Jim. I wonder if the later boats (like mine) have thicker fiberglass/plywood? Maybe I should cut into it and check

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rclift
Navigator

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USA
152 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2003 : 01:51:55

There is a lot of variance (several inches either way) between model years on the size and type of port window which I suppose made it to difficult for CD to stock replacements. I called Catalina Direct and they actually did some research to find a window for me and sent me a list of options. I wish I could find the list now. oh well!

Ray Clift
Buzz, 1361

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2003 : 08:17:12

Hi Gary,

Somehow the syntax of the photo in your signature block changed ... that's why the thumbnail photo of your boat doesn't show up in this thread. The only thing wrong is that you're missing a single diagonal "slash" toward the end.

If you go to your profile and insert a / where I've put the * below, it should work again:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc35b3127cce94ddf43b35f60000001010[*img]

Hope that makes sense ... let me know if you've got any questions!

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2003 : 14:48:16

Lewmar make a good plastic/perspex opening port that will, with some "Sawzall" work, fit that opening. Cost is about $120, but if you plan to replace the window anyway, why not replace with an opening port?

As to the thickness of the coach roof, that is the only area on my boat where, when I bought it, there were serious cracks in the gelcoat. There is a lot of flexing of the coachroof sides because we spend a lot of time atop the coach roof. I think later models (mine is an '81) responded to this problem by becoming thicker. I don't see the alligatoring in the gelcoat on later 80's C25's that I have seen on 70's and earlier 80's. Same holds true for the C27.

Edited by - on

Raskal
Navigator

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USA
162 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2003 : 18:33:38

In the latest Catalina direct catalog they offer replacement forward ports that open, with screens, for around $125 each. I don't have the catalog at hand but it does exist--the ventilation will be worth the extra $25 per...

Rich Kokoska

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.