F32 leaking windows

[bshive95]

Hoping somebody has dealt with this before. My 73 F32 has leakage coming into the cabin area, seems to concentrate near the outside corners of the front salon windows. Visual inspection of the frames doesn't show any apparent openings for water to come in, but I've heard that F32's are notorious for leaky windows.

Anybody got experience with this? Also, the side sliding windows have come out of their plastic slider channel. Those side windows look like they simply unbolt but not sure on that one either

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

[Barrie]

I'm not sure if your window frames are the same as My 1977 Tri Fly. I had extensive damage in the wood below the window corners.
I removed the frames (and everything else) and can tell you that even if they are sealed to the exterior of the boat. they can still let plenty of water in.
The frames are kinda a "H" shape and welded at the corners, only welded on the horizontal section of the H<. A little sealer was on the vertical sides (flanges) but this is where it was leaking.
Water hits the windows, runs into the tracks and then runs out the corners both in side the boat and outside. If the drain slot on the outside of the window frame is restricted in any way = problem x10

The best solution I could see was be sure the frames are welded on both the vertical and horizontal water tight or add sealer to the frame corners.

In this picture you can see the frames with the drain slot far right. The next frame to the left you can see the inside corner that if not sealed will leak

This is the little factory weld, just on the horizontal part of the frame

This is a rear window, but the damage was all the same


Hope this helps

[Barrie]

Unless you're referring to the windshield, the never mind......lol

[Reel Easy]

Mine were leaking at the bottom of the frame, the butyl tape was dried out. And the windshield needed re sealed. The vent window still leaks a little. Have someone run a hose on it till you see water. If its the frame you'll have to drop the headliner to loosen the nuts. Then you can clean out the old butyl and replace it. As for the side windows. Beacon marine sells plastic for them that is similar.

[K4282]

look into captains creak, its a penetrating epoxy sealer, i plan to try some on my windshield, only leave in rough seas and not at rest

[Misty]

Large sheets of visqueen taped over the window with a trojan logo drawn freehand can be a head turning look.

[WayWeGo]

look into captains creak, its a penetrating epoxy sealer, i plan to try some on my windshield, only leave in rough seas and not at rest

I think you might be referring to Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure, which looks to me to be a water based latex rubber product. Our boat came with a lot of gelcoat cracks, and I used Captain Tolley's on them as a stop gap measure, along with treating all the stanchion bases and rub rail hardware. It seems to have done a good job, but is a bit messy to use. It is quick to apply and would be a good treatment for windows until you have time to remove them and fix permanently. I think you would have to do a few coats every year with the Captain Tolley's to keep the windows from leaking if it is a seal issue. It wouldn't fix any big leaks as it works by capillary action.

[K4282]

WayweGo, that is indeed the product