Leaking windows on Sun Odyssey 51

[richpt]

The large overhead windows set into the deck on my SO 51 are leaking and I'm trying to figure out the best way to fix it. (They're each the size of a large hatch but fixed in place). The existing acrylic panels are screwed down and sealed round the edge with silicon. It doesn't work. One possible fix is to simply remove all the old sealant, and rebed and reseal the existing panels but there are so many ways for water to get through this system that it might not be leak-free for long. An alternative would be to get new acrylic panels and instead of drilling a lot of holes for screws, simply fasten it down with double sided tape between the deck and the edges of the window (filling the old screw holes in the deck with epoxy beforehand) and then presumably put sealant over the join. This would seem more water-tight but I gather the double-sided tape makes an almost permanent bond that would be very hard to remove in future.

Does anyone have any experience of sealing windows like these? Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

[MalcolmP]

Sealants have improved considerably since when the SO51 was built. Would be worth asking Sikafex and Bostik tech teams their recommendations. Double sided tape does not sound robust enough in my view.

Different boat and system but worth looking at this hints and tips article www.jeanneau-owners.com/hintsandtips/so42dswindows.html

Do let the forum know how you progress and take photos too, this is an inevitable problem that will probably face many of us.

Good luck.

[bratwurzt1]

We’ve had the same problem with our SO 35. I used clear Lexel sealant last year and it stopped the leak but they have appeared again this year but very small. I think the only true fix is to replace.

[anniet]

Jun 8, 2018 9:41:47 GMT richpt said:

The large overhead windows set into the deck on my SO 51 are leaking and I'm trying to figure out the best way to fix it. (They're each the size of a large hatch but fixed in place). The existing acrylic panels are screwed down and sealed round the edge with silicon. It doesn't work. One possible fix is to simply remove all the old sealant, and rebed and reseal the existing panels but there are so many ways for water to get through this system that it might not be leak-free for long. An alternative would be to get new acrylic panels and instead of drilling a lot of holes for screws, simply fasten it down with double sided tape between the deck and the edges of the window (filling the old screw holes in the deck with epoxy beforehand) and then presumably put sealant over the join. This would seem more water-tight but I gather the double-sided tape makes an almost permanent bond that would be very hard to remove in future.

Does anyone have any experience of sealing windows like these? Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.

[anniet]

We have leaking port lights on our 1990 sun odyssey 51 and are trying to purchase new seals - have you had any joy with your port lights?

We also have leaking Goiot hatch handles - has anyone tried to dismantle these handles?
regards Annie T