Catalina - Capri - 25s International Assocaition Logo(2006)  
Assn Members Area · Join
h.jpg Home.
a.jpg Association Forum
s.jpg Ships Store
c.jpg Cruising
r.jpg Racing
t.jpg Technical Tips
g.jpg Photo Gallery - New
o.jpg Boat Search - Updated
m.jpg Manuals & Brochures
3rdrpt.jpg Swap Meet
l.jpg Links
f.jpg Officer Flag Line & Staff
b.jpg Bylaws & Constitution
 
1.jpg Members Area
1.jpg Join the Association
 
Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.
 
Association Forum
Association Forum
Home | Profile | Register | Active Topics | Forum Users | Search | FAQ
Username:
 Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

 All Forums
 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Sealing ports		  New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Author Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  

steephen
Navigator

Member Avatar

100 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/23/2004 :  15:59:11  Show Profile
Stephen Z here again.

Time to repair those leaky windows. I have heard that Boat Life was a good product because it isn't actually an adhesive (I'm talking about between the outside aluminum flange, and the outside fiberglass). Then I was told about simple pure clear (100%) silicon from the hardware store, for basicially the same reasons but a third the price. Any opinions?
Second, there's some delamination in the wood core between inner and outer fiberglass, usually hidden by the window flanges. The two-part epoxy they sell to flood this does not look like it's going to like going in upside-down. Any other, less fluid, products to recommend? How much of the delaminated ply should I bother to carve out of there?

Thanks again.

"Little Wing" C-25, 1980
Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
499 Posts
Response Posted - 03/23/2004 :  16:29:19  Show Profile
Stephen, There is a better solution to sealing the windows then the heavy silicon you can get from the hardware store. Go instead to your local automotive supply house and purchase a specifically designed silicon sealer made for leaking windows in RVs. It comes in a small tube and very fluid so that it will penetrate the leaky window gaskets. Just run a bead around the window, no mess. Somebody else will probably be able to jump in here and give you the exact name. You can use it either between the glass and the frame or the frame and the fiberglass. This stuff really makes sealing the leaks simple.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

steephen
Navigator

Members Avatar

100 Posts
Response Posted - 03/23/2004 :  19:16:55  Show Profile
Ed:

Thanks. Hopefully someone will know the name of the other stuff. I've already pulled the aluminum flanges off, so I will end up putting Boat Life or silicon between the fiberglass and the flange before re-installing. I'd like to use the stuff you mentioned to seal up the tiny beading between the glass and the aluminum (on the outside of each window).
Still seek advice on the wood delamination between the fiberglass walls around each window.
Thanks again to all.

Little Wing (#1667)
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1772 Posts
Response Posted - 03/24/2004 :  10:27:45  Show Profile
<font color="blue">Hopefully someone will know the name of the other stuff. I've already pulled the aluminum flanges off, so I will end up putting Boat Life or silicon between the fiberglass and the flange before re-installing. I'd like to use the stuff you mentioned to seal up the tiny beading between the glass and the aluminum (on the outside of each window). - Stephen</font id="blue">

Hi Stephen,

I've used "Permatex Auto Glass Sealer" ... it is just like Ed described ... it wicks into the space around the frame and does a good job of sealing small leaks with minimal effort. You can find it at any auto parts store, and I also bought a tube at WalMart.

BTW, when I rebedded my windows, I used a silicon sealer around the aluminum frames. Someone once suggested using a sort of "putty tape" instead ('don't know what else to call it). I haven't found that thread, but as I recall this sealing "tape" is also found at auto parts stores and RV supply houses. If I ever rebed my windows again, I'm going to look for that "tape."

'Hope that helps ... good luck!
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1893 Posts
Response Posted - 03/24/2004 :  13:06:00  Show Profile  Visit Leon Sisson's Homepage
Buzz & other leaky port sufferers,<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">...sort of "putty tape" ... found at auto parts stores and RV supply houses.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">That's what I used, and it has worked great. It's similar to kids' modeling clay, but stronger and stickier. It came in a roll layered between wax paper, like two-sided tape. The stuff was dirt cheap, and seemed to be such a generic commodity that there wasn't even a brand name on it. One of the big advantages (besides keeping water out) is that the port assembly can be removed in the future without much risk of damaging it.

-- Leon Sisson

P.S. Edited in response to "<b><i>...bubble gum from your shoe...</i></b>" comments. There might well be more than one tape-like product out there. I've had several of my ports back out, and the RV putty tape I used wasn't much more messy to clean up than oil-based modeling clay. It was a whole lot easier to remove than any marine sealant I've ever squeezed out of a tube (or cussed at with a razor scraper in my fist). --L.S.
Edited by - Leon Sisson on 03/24/2004 15:59:48
Go to Top of Page

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 03/24/2004 :  13:41:25  Show Profile
I think the PO used this stuff on the windows of my boat, and when I was cleaning up the frames during a rebed, this stuff was like removing bublegum from your shoe.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3323 Posts
Response Posted - 03/24/2004 :  13:47:02  Show Profile
I agree with Don's quote. I had exactly the same experience and I definitely wouldn't use it!
Derek
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page

John Mason
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
687 Posts
Response Posted - 03/24/2004 :  15:31:11  Show Profile
BoatLife LifeSeal is an adhesive. It's part polyurethane/part silicone - the benefit is that it can be used on plastics. LifeCaulk is also an adhesive. It's polysulfide.
Edited by - on
Go to Top of Page
  Previous Topic Topic Next Topic  
 New Topic  Topic Locked
 Printer Friendly
Jump To:
Association Forum © since 1999 Catalina Capri 25s International Association Go To Top Of Page
Powered By: Snitz Forums 2000 Version 3.4.06
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.