I posted on this a couple years back - leaking frames and crazed old plexiglass window material, my M17 from 1974. I pulled out the frames, opened them up (two small pop-rivets) and removed the old plexi and the remains of some kind of tarry black sealant on cabin opening edge and frames. I took them to a local glass shop that had some expertise on this (e.g. boat & trailer windows/ports). They recommended 3/16 tempered "safety" (laminated) glass, saying for a piece that small it was at least as strong/sturdy as any of the plastics and also would not scratch like the plastics, or haze/craze over time. I don't recall for sure but it might have even cost less than the plastics. Wasn't more by any significant amount, for sure. They cut & installed & sealed in the glass & re-riveted the frame. You could just take them the still-riveted frames with old plastic in them and they could open up and clean, would probably charge something for that though. The only complaint I had was, whoever did the sealing job the first try did a sloppy job, not a nice clean fillet/bead. I took them back and pointed it out and they re-did it no extra charge and a much better job. I reinstalled the frames, bedding/sealing with butyl tape. Not a drop comes thru since then and I have lovely crisp clear easy to clean no scratch portlights. So that's one option, and I can recommend it, I'm quite happy with it. cheers, John On 3/27/21 10:06 AM, Henry Rodriguez wrote:
I ditched my frames and attached new windows directly to the fiberglass using vhb tape and Dow 795. This was over 5 years ago and they have not leaked a drop.. The method is described here:
https://www.boatworkstoday.com/videos/installing-new-fixed-portlights/ and here:
https://www.thecoastalpassage.com/windows.html
Henry Monita
On Sat, Mar 27, 2021, 11:33 AM Rob Bultman <rob.bultman@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Folks,
I have a leaky port window on my 1977 M17. These windows have the two-part aluminum frame with the exterior frame holding the "glass" and an inner frame which screws into the exterior frame from the inside, holding the window in place.
I managed to get the window out of the hull and the "glass" out of the frame. The window glazing that holds the glass to the frame is very brittle and in one location completely gone. The exterior frame that holds the glass has a single cut in the frame that allowed the window to be removed with a little force applied to open frame.
I'm looking for a replacement for the window glazing. Is there a recommended source for this? Would something like this work?
https://www.amazon.com/Gray-Glazing-Vinyl-Glass-Thickness/dp/B00O8ZUM6K?th=1
I also saw this kit from Catalina.
https://www.catalinadirect.com/shop-by-boat/catalina-25/hatches-ports/gasket...
If the glazing is not a watertight seal and some sealant is still required, I don't know how I could seal it without making a huge mess, given that the window frame is a single piece with the one slit.
At this point I'd like to retain the original aluminum frames and window, but I'm open to suggestions. I've seen the replacement project on Audasea on the photo site. I saw another (non-M boat) where spacers were used to push the window away from the outer edge and butyl caulk used as glazing and sealant in the space created by the spaces. (I think the spacers were temporary.)
Thanks in advance for responses.
Regards, Rob M17 FIN
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