Leaking Portals - new pics

[Flightsport]

I am trying to figure out what the heck to do with the leaking windows on my 1977 Columbia C-26T. I took off the inside retainer hoping that the windows would easily come free for me to remove and re-bed. Not the case. As you can see from these pictures, there is very old bedding in 5 of the 6 windows. My question is this, can I get away with just caulking/sealing the hell out of these, as they lay, or, like I presume, must the windows be removed? Removing the window scares the hell out of me as I'm afraid of breaking something and having a much larger problem on hand. Any thoughts, tips, suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

Mike

[poopdeckpappy]

I would flood the outside of the window to see if it is the outside bedding is leaking, if it is, then I would work on removing the window very slowly; I used the wide end of a small catspaw and very slowly broke the seal around the port ( working it all the way around )

If the outside isn't leaking, it could be just condensation getting behind the inside trim over time ( looks like you might have slick walls )

[sailak]

I had the same fears last year when the port over the galley was leaking...however I fear the admiral more than any project so removed and rebedded the porthole.

I used a wide putty knife and worked it under the frame on the outside. I used a heat gun and carefully warmed the area to "loosen" the sealant. Ended up being painless to get the porthole out.

[Flightsport]

Thanks guys. Slick walls? If that means moisture running down from the through-deck bolts on the top of the cabin, I agree. I am working on removing the mast step bracket and resealing and caulking in and around the bracket and screws. It does seem like water is getting into the ceiling, running down and hitting the window frames. I think I just gotta bight the bullet and yank the portholes.

[poopdeckpappy]

Originally Posted by Flightsport

I think I just gotta bight the bullet and yank the portholes.

Probably the best thing

[sawingknots]

if the cauking if 3-m 5200 you have a job on your hands,your most likely going to destroy the window removing it. i would research new windows before i attempted.btw liquid dish soap helps as much or more than anything

[ambianceack]

My wife and I just did all four of ours and it was quite difficult. In addition to the wide putty knife, we also used a utility knife to cut away what we could and that seemed to help. The key was an adhesive remover, sprayed it on and let soak, that really loosened the port lights. We rebedded using butly tape and 4200 adhesive sealant with UV inhibitor. We then went on and did both jib tracks. Good luck.

[ambianceack]

In addition we epoxied the core seam of the window to prevent water from entering the core and possibly damaging the wood. I think we got that idea from someone on this site.

[donlofland]

I recently rebedded my Catalina 27 deadlights, which at the factory were bedded with butyl tape. I went around the outside frame with a putty knife and mallet, loosening a little bit of the frame at a time, and then they popped out easily.

I think I see a bead of bedding in one of your pics, and probing that should give you an idea if it's rock hard 5200, or something softer and easier to work with.

[SailingWebGuy]

I would tear them out (but I'm new to this stuff). I have a Catalina 30 whose windows were leaking very badly. Once I removed them, I noticed that the wood between the fiberglass was damp and starting to rot. The outer and inner fiberglass was starting to separate and not sturdy at all.

I let the wood dry out, removed the really bad stuff, then used 610 to firm and seal everything up (not the windows...just the structure). Also bought a rebuild kit for the windows.

I guess my point is that I wouldn't have know of the damage to the structure if I hadn't removed the windows completely.