Nuticuis 27 - replacement of rubber window seals

[unknown]

I own a Nauticus 27' based in the Cambridgeshire and have been
attempting to replace the perished rubber window surrounds. The
contractor I have used has done a very unsatisfactory job and I now
have much more leakage than I had before and the very nice interior
wooden lining has been badly affected by leakage. He has failed to
make good the defects despite constant requests. He has not yet been
paid.

I have been chasing the contractor to remedy the leaks since October
2005 but of course the winter season makes this work difficult. He did
not use any sealant on the job and having spoken with Seals Direct
they tell me sealant should be used.

I have tried to find an alternative contractor to remedy the faults
but have had no luck in finding anybody. As soon as they hear it is a
boat they lose interest and being overwhelmed with other work are not
keen to tackle something with which they are unfamiliar.

I suspect my contractor may have used the incorrect dimension of
rubbers and certainly the width of rubber used is considerably less
than the original when viewed from the outside of the boat. My
contractor says it is not possible to obtain the same rubbers as were
originally used in 1975 as many fewer such rubbers are now made.
However I understand that the really important measurements are the
widths of gaps in the rubbers which fit the boat hull and the window
frame.

I SHOULD BE MOST PLEASED TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO HAS SUCCESSFULLY
REPLACED RUBBER WINDOW SURROUNDS ON A NAUTICUS 27 OR WHO CAN OFFER ANY
RELEVANT ADVICE OR SUGGEST A COMPETENT INSTALLER WITHIN REASONABLE
REACH OF CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

I look forward to any replies.

Many thanks.


William

[Uncle Marvo]

I was told by Caldwells, who made the windows for my n/b, that sealant
is the kiddie, and no rubbers should be required. If the fitting is the
same, ie rivets, good-grade (marine is tops) clear silicon is the
answer. I have done one window so far and it works beautifully, the
rest of the boat leaks like a sieve. Can someone stop this rain?

[Neil Arlidge]

.......... Can someone stop this rain?

Why?......do you not want to go boating this year? :-)

[Neil Arlidge]

Post by Uncle Marvo
I was told by Caldwells, who made the windows for my n/b, that sealant
is the kiddie, and no rubbers should be required. If the fitting is
the same, ie rivets, good-grade (marine is tops) clear silicon is the
answer. I have done one window so far and it works beautifully, the
rest of the boat leaks like a sieve. Can someone stop this rain?

ISTR that a Nauticus has glass held in by the rubbers, with an expansion
moulding, like old car windows.

As a slug owner I mostly agree with you about our type of windows.
I was present at the fitting of N Bear Nest's windows and assisted the
fitter on the final window fit, we used a thin rubber to cushion the frame
against the final coat paint and LOADS of clear silicon, including some
round each rivet. Even a trip up the Blackwater Estuary (the saltiest in
England) has not started any rust round the windows.

[Dave Larrington]

Post by Uncle Marvo
I was told by Caldwells, who made the windows for my n/b, that sealant
is the kiddie, and no rubbers should be required. If the fitting is the
same, ie rivets, good-grade (marine is tops) clear silicon is the
answer. I have done one window so far and it works beautifully, the
rest of the boat leaks like a sieve. Can someone stop this rain?

It's not raining here, Unc. Have you considered moving somewhere drier,
like the Red Lion?

[Trevor Kenworthy]

Some owners on our Norman website have had similar window problems. The most
surprising solution that appeared from a few was to use RAC Autowindscreens.
They have some "specialist" centres (also try plant division) around where
they have carried out window replacement very efficiently and at "make you
happy" prices. Try tham.

Trevor

www.normanboats.co.uk

Post by Dave Larrington

Post by Uncle Marvo
I was told by Caldwells, who made the windows for my n/b, that sealant
is the kiddie, and no rubbers should be required. If the fitting is the
same, ie rivets, good-grade (marine is tops) clear silicon is the
answer. I have done one window so far and it works beautifully, the
rest of the boat leaks like a sieve. Can someone stop this rain?

It's not raining here, Unc. Have you considered moving somewhere drier,
like the Red Lion?
--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
Tip of the Day: 20%

[Ed Harris]

Post by Trevor Kenworthy
Some owners on our Norman website have had similar window problems. The most
surprising solution that appeared from a few was to use RAC Autowindscreens.
They have some "specialist" centres (also try plant division) around where
they have carried out window replacement very efficiently and at "make you
happy" prices. Try tham.
Trevor
www.normanboats.co.uk

I replaced the rubbers on my daughter's Norman with genuine Robin
Reliant spares - the garage even lent me the tool to ease the edges out.

Half a day's work and no leaks afterwards