Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all!
We have an older 480 ,hull #67, and everything seems to happen to us. Well maybe not everything but plenty of stuff. We repowered two years ago with Yanmar 40s and are now told we did not service our engines properly so the warranty is void. OK, always read the instructional book cover to cover. Expensive mistake.
My question is has anyone had leaky aft cabin windows? Ours are intact, seemingly, but when I was detailing the hull I noticed some of the sealant would kind of rub off on my rag. I love the looks of the slanted cabin windows but even when we were buying our boat I wondered if they were going to be problematic.
I am hoping e everyone says they are rock solid and there have been no incidences of leaks or outright failures. After hearing that a salty dog went down due to faulty escape hatches, I wonder if our windows are dangerous.
Any thoughts?
What error did you make with regards to the Yanmar warranty?
Hi, we have hull 69. Also a 480.
The sealant in our windows is starting to breakdown too. I am told that it will be a very very long time before it is an issue. In the interim, the top 5mm of black sealant can be removed using a rotating rubber wheel and replaced. If you do use a rubber wheel, be careful not to overheat the fiberglass. . Just like when you are polishing. The sealant of choice has changed from sickerflex to fix15. … well it has in Australia. Fix15 is used to hold glass windows in high-rise buildings.
"Catching up " a newer 500se had someone run an aluminium dinghy into one of his slanted windows. It was laminated 6mm light grey tinted. Carl can tell you about the removal process, but suffice to say, they are stuck in well. I had a spare made from his cracked old window. When I went to dispose of his old window, I was really surprised how strong a broken window was. The lamination really held it all together.
It was interesting how Carl’s new window was installed. It was set in place with sealant, then the next day sealant was used to fair it in.
After playing with Carl’s broken window, and how well they are stuck in, a little surface UV damage on the exposed edge of the sealant in your windows shouldn’t be an issue. But speak to a professional window guy.