Hi all,
I am thinking about replacing my windows on my Cav 32. The perspex is all crazied and they look like crap, BUT they dont leak!!!
Anyone had any experience with replacing these seals or know who may be able to replace them, competently? I
Another option would be to get rid of the aluminium frame and go with a slightly larger piece of Perspex but I think I'd like to keep the boat looking original but it would be one less place for water to get in.
If I stay with the frames I would consider reanodizing them.
Any thoughts are welcome, Mike
The "coastal passage" has an article on window fitting, I followed it exactly for my boat, I used tinted I think it was plexiglass I can't remember but 5 years and they look exactly the same no leaks or deterioration (touch wood of course) 
In 2016 I had new frames made up, exactly the same as yours (through a boat yard at McCarrs Creek, but done by guy who advertises occasionally in Afloat). Three years later they were leaking again.
Just gone through the process again with the local shipwright but have gone with Perspex this time. I think they look good, but I have kept the originals in case the next owner wishes to revert to original.
Pretty straightforward to do it yourself. Grippys Rubber has the glazing wedge profile. Take a bit of the old rubber with you.
PM me if you want more details
Thanks all for your replies,
yes that is peeling window tint, not bad for 15 years. If you look closely you can see the crazing. Why, does it matter???
Bullrout, I have read the coastal passage article many times trying to get the guts up to tackle this job. The perspex supplier recommended against the tape and sealant method, he reckons if there was any curvature in the hull there would always be some "pull" away from the hull. Although the 2 front windows have no curvature the saloon windows have some, a small amount, about 10mm from centre out . I intend to use 6mm polycarbonate. He recommended the sealant and a few screws method. I have no experience in this area and can only listen to his advise.
Troubadour, this is my preferred option. I've pulled apart the frames to have a look. Cleaning up the frames will take a bit of effort as someone has had a go at them before and the frames have a mixture of silastic and what looks to be dried up hard as f@#k mastic. I'll give it a go and see how it turns out. I would like to get the frames reanodised and for that I think they'd need to be pretty clean.
Has anyone had any experience with reanodizing these types of frames?
Anyway, many thanks to all who replied, Mike
They will probably acid dip them before re-anodising. It will clean off any old residue, but if there is any existing corrosion (pitting, joins, around screw holes, etc) it may make these areas worse.
Thanks Azure,
I took a frame to an anodizer, they said exactly the same as you. In the end it was decided to leave the frame as is.
Thanks for the reply, Mike
