Window Thickness [Fixed Portlights]

[mtullier]

Hi,

Does anyone know the thickness of the original acrylic windows?

Thanks,
Mike

[Roger Blake]

Suggest you indicate what year ('87?) of your boat and the manufacturer of the port/window.

[mtullier]

1987 C34 -  Fixed cabin windows: 2 port and 2 starboard

[Ron Hill]

Mike : Don't know the answer.
Those fixed side windows are Catalina, why don't you ask them?   A thought

[Rick Johnson]

Mike, according to Catalina the fixed windows are 1/4" Plexiglass.  If you are going to replace them, send me your email address and I'll send you the information I got from Catalina.

Cheers,

Rick

[mtullier]

Thanks,  I took a guess and purchased a 1/4" sheet of acrylic.  I wanted to match the window thickness on the hatch doors I built.  Decided I would buy enough to replace the windows also.

[Susan Ray]

Wow..nice hatch doors..would you post a pic of them in place? Mahalo.

[Ron Hill]

Mike : In my limited experience (only 21 years) with fixing things on a C34 & reading about other Catalina's; I want to warn you that replacing the fixed side port is one of the more tricky items to get right.  The problem is that there are two curved surfaces.  One vertical and one horizontal, making it difficult to get the new lens in place with out squirting out all of the caulk in the center portions.
 
At one time I recall seeing a Catalina drawing of their recommended method of how to do that job.  If your's aren't leaking, very unsightly or cracked; I'd seriously think about just leaving them alone.  
A thought

[mtullier]

Ron,  Thanks for the warning.  Rick sent me the Catalina procedure with a drawing of the jigs for holding the window while the caulk is drying.  I will tackle at least one window.  If all goes well with the 1st, the remaining windows will be put on the to do list.  I'll keep everyone updated and post "What not to do when replacing your windows".   

[Rick Johnson]

Ron, you are correct.  Catalina recommends 3/8" x 1/2" pieces of 1/8" form to act as spacers.  It's in their documentation.

Cheers,

Rick

[Ken Juul]

I struggled several years ago removing and resealing my one leaking window 3 or 4 times.  I was at a Catalina Rendezvous, Gerry Douglas was hosting a "common maintenence" forum.  He was talking about sealants and mentioned in passing that only straight silicone will stick to plexiglass.  Resealed one last time with the right stuff and hasn't leaked since.  I didn't know about the foam trick, I just gooped the silicone on.  Bit of a clean up issue after drying.

[Stu Jackson]

The very first time we were at anchor on our boat purchased in July 98  during the "rainy season" here in October of '98 we discovered a deluge over the nav station coming through the fixed port.  All we had on board at the time was a tube of silicone, so I put on my foul weather gear, removed the portlight and the screws, and globbed it on, and reinstalled the port light.  Hasn't leaked since.  No special tools, either.

[Albreen]

Don Casey offers a helpful little tip about sealants - you can find it at this web site: http://www.boatus.com/howto/howto_lib.htm

Don Casey Tip #45
Sealant Shorthand
What type sealant to use can be confusing. Here is the code:

* Use silicone to electrically insulate dissimilar metals and to bed plastic.

* Use polyurethane only to join components that will NEVER need to be disassembled.

* Use polysulfide for everything else.

There are exceptions, but following these three rules will avoid most wrong-choice problems.

Thanks Paul.  Added to the wiki.  KJ

[Mike and Joanne Stimmler]

At one time I recall seeing a Catalina drawing of their recommended method of how to do that job.  If your's are leaking, very unsightly or cracked; I'd seriously think about just leaving them alone.  
A thought

Wow Ron, this must be a dozy of a job.
This is the first time on this board that I've ever seen you discourage someone from tackling a project.
And I was just starting to get my courage up to try this one.
You realize I'll be in therapy for a long time now.                      

[Ron Hill]

Guys, Susan & D. Gill : All I'm trying to tell you is that replacing the fixed side port lights is not a simple task. 
I surly wouldn't take on that job for just cosmetic reasons !!  A thought