elgiri
New Member
Posts: 2
Jeanneau Model: SO 37
Yacht Name: El Rubicon
Home Port: St. ives
Country: England
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Post by elgiri on Oct 7, 2015 15:59:04 GMT
Hi All, I have to replace the side port lights on the coachroof for our SO37, she is a 2004/5 model and the windows can be purchased from Jeanneau at great cost. There appears to be little if anything on undertaking this job, but it would seem that it can be done by anyone with some degree of knowledge and diligence in insuring the bed is spotless before a sealing the new windows in.
for removing I am under the impression that the best way forward seems to be cheese wire the old crazed windows out and then thoroughly clean the bedding area.
for inserting the new windows there is a special primer and bonding agent that comes with the windows, my question is how do I secure the windows whilst the bonding sealant goes off.
any suggestions most welcome as will be performing this job with some hesitancy as cannot face a future of dripping windows or constant worry that they may just drop out.
many thanks
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Post by sailby2 on Oct 8, 2015 11:11:39 GMT
Elgiri,
I replaced my windows on my last SO37 so I am familiar with what you are facing. Here are a few thoughts and lessons learned: The gentleman helping me with the job used a sharpened putty knife to cut the sealant when taking out the old windows. We taped the outside around the windows with painter's tape to prevent scratching the fiberglass. Once the windows were out, all the cabin top surfaces used for mounting were cleaned of old caulk and sanded down smooth. Jeanneau recommends using the original caulk they use (Sikaflex 295i UV) and the Sikaflex prep solution. If you use the windows supplied by Jeanneau they have a trough cut in to the back that is used to lay the caulk in. There is room for two beads of caulk and with good reason, i.e. if you use one, the windows will inevitably leak after you install them! I tried to go cheap on the caulk and did not buy enough. Buy more than you need. It is way better to have spent a few Pounds/Dollars more and not reach the end than to not have enough caulk. I recall thinking it takes about two tubes per window.
Prior to putting them back on, I taped around the window edges with painter's tape as you will get caulk on the cabin top no matter how careful you are! Once you get them set in place, I used large (45-55 LB) dumbbells to apply pressure to the windows. The dumbbells were placed upright standing on edge with one end leaned up against the windows. I padded the deck and windows with old towels so as not to scratch them. This worked great to keep the pressure on the windows for about 3 days. To finish off the job, I ran a very small bead of caulk around the windows. The factory did not do this originally but I thought it might help keep water from migrating in. You can't see it since the windows are flush with the cabin top.
After all that work, I ended up with scratch free and leak free windows. Big job but worth it.
Regards,
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elgiri
New Member
Posts: 2
Jeanneau Model: SO 37
Yacht Name: El Rubicon
Home Port: St. ives
Country: England
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Post by elgiri on Oct 8, 2015 11:52:23 GMT
Thanks for the info, it is along the lines of what I had envisaged and a good tip with the tape and use of dumbbell to retain window in place whilst the bonding agent cures. Sounds quite do-able if approached logically and glad to hear you were happy with the outcome.
planning to rip the old windows out sometime around Christmas, will try to take some pics to help any other poor souls that need to replace crazed windows, it's sharing the knowledge that makes these forums worth being part of.
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