Mac 26X front window replacement
-
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:23 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Mac 26X front window replacement
We purchased replacement windows from Blue Water Yachts for our MacGregor 26X. They came with installation instructions that specified to install the new windows with lots of black silicone. While we installed the windows as per instructions, working with silicone was messy and we still had leaks afterwards.
In the end we found a better, simpler and cleaner way to install them is with Butyl tape from an RV store. We laid a 1" wide strip of butyl tape on the window flange, then placed the window on top of the butyl tape and installed the screws (not tight, just snug). No leaks, no mess, and the ability to remove the windows relatively easy again if and when needed.
In the end we found a better, simpler and cleaner way to install them is with Butyl tape from an RV store. We laid a 1" wide strip of butyl tape on the window flange, then placed the window on top of the butyl tape and installed the screws (not tight, just snug). No leaks, no mess, and the ability to remove the windows relatively easy again if and when needed.
- kmclemore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6037
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Tohatsu 50D -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
Yes, I'd imagine that would work quite well. That's what we used to use at Lotus Cars to install windscreens, which in that car were a structural element as well.
-
- Engineer
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Tue Nov 10, 2015 5:51 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Downtown Chicago, 2001 26X, 2001 50 Hp Nissan (NS50D2)
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
I just discovered that same problem but I am going to just seal around the edge with a bead of silicone but I wish i thought of this the other weekend would have saved a lot of headaches.Andysigrist wrote: ↑Sun May 12, 2019 7:13 pm We purchased replacement windows from Blue Water Yachts for our MacGregor 26X. They came with installation instructions that specified to install the new windows with lots of black silicone. While we installed the windows as per instructions, working with silicone was messy and we still had leaks afterwards.
In the end we found a better, simpler and cleaner way to install them is with Butyl tape from an RV store. We laid a 1" wide strip of butyl tape on the window flange, then placed the window on top of the butyl tape and installed the screws (not tight, just snug). No leaks, no mess, and the ability to remove the windows relatively easy again if and when needed.
-
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2021 4:46 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: San Diego
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
Did you happen to take any pictures of how you applied the tape? Also, did you not need silicone at all and no leaks?
I'm wanting to replace my windows, as well. Thanks!
I'm wanting to replace my windows, as well. Thanks!
-
- First Officer
- Posts: 269
- Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2016 8:35 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Erie PA
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
Although i know it's the old standard, I haven't had great luck with butyl tape (sealing flat glass windows in houses and buildings). It tends to dry out and lose it's seal after baking in the sun.
I highly recommend using Dow Corning 795 instead of just a regular black silicone. The 795 bonds WAY better than most sealants to acrylic or polycarbonate and remains quite stretchy and flexible for many years. Plus it is slow cure so working time is longer and it smells (and tastes) much better than the vinegar smelling regular silicone.
*I don't eat silicone but have many years experience of weather sealing glass and aluminum framing and saliva works well to aid in tooling the finished bead.
When resealing windows with silicone, prep is 90% of the project. Properly clean and degrease with acetone for fiberglass and denatured alcohol for acrylic then dry fit and pre-tape everything (window and frame, inside and out) with 2" painters tape prior to even touching the sealant.
I highly recommend using Dow Corning 795 instead of just a regular black silicone. The 795 bonds WAY better than most sealants to acrylic or polycarbonate and remains quite stretchy and flexible for many years. Plus it is slow cure so working time is longer and it smells (and tastes) much better than the vinegar smelling regular silicone.
*I don't eat silicone but have many years experience of weather sealing glass and aluminum framing and saliva works well to aid in tooling the finished bead.
When resealing windows with silicone, prep is 90% of the project. Properly clean and degrease with acetone for fiberglass and denatured alcohol for acrylic then dry fit and pre-tape everything (window and frame, inside and out) with 2" painters tape prior to even touching the sealant.
1987 26D - Three Hour Tour; 1998 26X - to be named
- Inquisitor
- Captain
- Posts: 924
- Joined: Mon Apr 23, 2007 5:24 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: North Carolina Mountains
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
The worked with Lotus part.
Cool!!!!
Odysseus, expert on the Siren's call
- kmclemore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6037
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Tohatsu 50D -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...."
I've had a somewhat 'varied' career, you might say, in my 65 years.... welder, body & paint man, founder/owner of a vintage car restoration shop, managing a wholesale tool warehouse, super-car mold designer and builder, senior consulting systems engineer for IBM (from which I retired for the first time), global director of technology for a major Pharma (from which I retired for the second time), director of STEM education for a high school... and now... finally... retired for the third and final time!....... it's been a trip.
- NiceAft
- Admiral
- Posts: 6157
- Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2005 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Upper Dublin,PA, USA: 2005M 50hp.Honda4strk.,1979 Phantom Sport Sailboat, 9'Achilles 6HP Merc 4strk
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
Kevin,. finally... retired for the third and final time!....... it's been a trip
Don't retire from this site; I know where you live
Besides, you don't want to see Russ cry.
Ray ~~_/)~~
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
Butyl tape is more expensive than silicone, and its effectiveness depends greatly on the quality. I have always installed windows using silicone and have never encountered leak problems. Maybe you don't have much experience using silicone, or you missed some steps, for example, degreasing glass. I sometimes have to work with car windows as well. At the beginning of summer, I installed a car shade for baby on the rear window so my son could sleep peacefully even on sunny days. Now I'm thinking about getting the same for my sailing boat.
Last edited by Namideev on Tue Aug 23, 2022 5:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Highlander
- Admiral
- Posts: 5982
- Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:25 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Maccutter26M 2008 75HP Merc. 4/S Victoria BC. Can. ' An Hileanto'ir III '
- Contact:
Re: Mac 26X front window replacement
when I had to reseal a front window on my I deglazed both the fiberglass & plexiglass edges & for ur Info silicone comes in diff grades of use & adhesive strengths for this job u need the highest quality which will b the strongest adhesive strength & will absorb vibration & still flex with boat hull flexing movement without breaking it's seal so do ur homework by checking out each manufacture's spec. sheets , may not b avail in ur local auto or hardware store or marina u may have to go to a commercial establishment & hope u do,nt have to buy by the caseload !Namideev wrote: ↑Sat Aug 20, 2022 1:50 am Butyl tape is more expensive than silicone, and its effectiveness depends greatly on the quality. I have always installed windows using silicone and have never encountered leak problems. Maybe you don't have much experience using silicone, or you missed some steps, for example, degreasing glass.
Butyl tape is usually cheaper to buy at RV stores
J