Replacing cabin side window /gunwhale coring on F-26

Codger · Post by **Codger** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:41 am

The side windows in the cabin of my F26 were loose and leaking water. Some of the mounting screws came loose from the core material being rotted.

I'm looking to have to recore the area of the side windows to be able to properly mount back tightly. I did a search on the site but did not find any detailed info from somebody that may have done this before.

The interior was pretty nasty when I bought the boat, so in anticipation of doing this repair I pulled out the headliner and all the vinyl/cloth that was stapled around the sides of the cabin. In the process, I found the leaks from the windows rotted out some of the trim wood inside the cabin and some spots in th core of the gunwhales. I also have soft spots in the roof corners from the front rail screws being loose and leaking.

The boat is getting hauled out next Friday for the winter, and I'm hoping to be able to be able to repair the fiberglass and coring for the windows, corners of the roof, and gunwhales during the offseason (at least when the outside temps are moderate). I can refinish the interior next summer as I have time when the boat is in the water.

The roof spots that are soft are about 8" x 8" in area and are readily accesible. Repairing those areas appears pretty straightforward to me right now.

The window framing doesn't seem like it will be too bad to get at, but the spots on the gunwhales have me concerned.

This will be my first time working with fiberglass, so I guess I will have to do some "learning on the job".

I'm sure others have had to do similar repairs. Any pointers? Thanks!

trojanmanXS · Post by **trojanmanXS** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:07 pm

in the process here of doing the windows. I removed the walnut trim framework inside and under that is 1/2"ply thats attatched to the fiberglassagain behind the laminate trim and inside the cabin area. once these are gone and the window is removed it should show the core with mine it was never glassed fully around the body , I was able to plow out the core and refit new plywood up in there. thats as far as Ive made it no inside reassemble yet. "killing mice prior to new insides" good luck

Codger · Post by **Codger** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:18 pm

trojanmanXS wrote:in the process here of doing the windows. I removed the walnut trim framework inside and under that is 1/2"ply thats attatched to the fiberglassagain behind the laminate trim and inside the cabin area. once these are gone and the window is removed it should show the core with mine it was never glassed fully around the body , I was able to plow out the core and refit new plywood up in there. thats as far as Ive made it no inside reassemble yet. "killing mice prior to new insides" good luck

I have the walnut framework off and the 1/2" ply. The core on mine is also not fully glassed, so I could try to clean out the old wet wood and then insert new plywood. Maybe that would be easier than cutting off the inner fiberglass and fiberglassing new wood back in.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:56 pm

Try the link below, I think it covers the cabin window topic. Also, before you replace the wood, be sure the pocket that you're stuffing the new wood into is clean and dry including any old wood edge that the new wood will butt up against. Then use West System Epoxy with the silica filler and bond the new wood into place.

http://www.trojanboats.net/wforum/viewt ... eplacement

Hope this helps