Replacing Window Gaskets On Older C-Dorys

[rcwass]

I have a 1990 Cruiser. The grey window gaskets are shrinking in the corners and need replacement. This is an OLD thread but it was never answered. I have a source for replacement gaskets if they are still available, American Marine Products of Pompano Beach Florida.

My Question is: Does anyone know how to remove these windows?
I've removed the inner ring but the window won't remove from the inside. C-Dory told me not to remove the window from the outside but the adhesive is so strong I'd damage the window frame even if I tried. These windows are different from the windows of today so I'm talking about the silver aluminum framed windows of 1990. All Fixed Windows.

[cemiii]

I have an 87 Angler. Last summer my pilot window cracked in the heat and I needed to replace the safety glass. As I remember it was quite an ordeal prying and razor blading the frame out. But it did come out without noticeable damage to the FG.

The fortunate part of it was I was dealing with a window that was already broken so saving the frame was my only concern. I dread the thought of trying to remove a half dozen good windows without breaking any. And yes, almost all of mine have also got gaps in a couple corners.

If you find a good way to do this, please let us know.

Chris

Here's another concern you may or may not be facing yet. The colored Gel coat on my oldie has been polished so many times it is wearing thin enough in places that you can see the underlying roving pattern in some areas.
Is there a repair procedure for that other than paint?

[Sea Wolf]

rcwass-

Hopefully, you'll get a specific, workable, answer on this, but I think it may just be one of those situations where it one simply can't remove something without pretty much destroying it to the point it has to be removed and then replaced.

Maybe a simpler solution would be to carefully fill in the space left by the shrunken gasket/molding with a clear filler, be it silicone, acrylic, or whatever. It's certainly worth a try if the situation in paragraph one is true.

Good Luck!

Joe.

[cemiii]

I did that (Silicone) on a few of mine. Ugly, but keeps the water out.

In my memory, I'm thinking that it might be possible to just pull out those seals without removing the frame (just pressure seated). I certainly could be wrong here, memory isn't what it used to be. And if that is the case, I would have thought C-Dory would have told you so. I guess it also depends on how the replacements are constucted as well.

Can anyone confirm this one way or another?

Got to agree with Wolf that on these older boats some things you just have to learn to live with some makeshift workarounds and envy the guys with the new ones.

Chris

[Azul]

I am currently researching C-Dory with the idea of purchasing in the next twelve months. Does C-Dory still use this style of window or have they changed to one that does not have the seal problem? If they have changed windows, what year was the change? I've looked at a number of older boats around town and see that shrunken seals is a common problem.

BTW: I've been lurking on this board for awhile. It's a great site and I am impressed with the depth of knowledge and the amount of information that everyone shares.

[rcwass]

Azul,
CDory has changed window manufacturers. The older window frames are plain aluminum frames while the newer windows are all white painted aluminum frames. I replaced my center front window a couple years ago with one that opens. The new window has corners that a more round and not as square as the older window so it's not an exact fit but close enough so it doesn't show from the outside nor leak. I'm not sure what year CDory made the change.

I also didn't have much of a problem removing that old window. The two rear windows and the door window I've had no luck with. I need to replace the gaskets in the right, left windshield windows, the two rear windows, The side rear windows and the door window. So I need help!

[Cview]

I faced a similar problem on my 1990 C-Dory, C-View. The gaskets were unsightly and had pulled out of some of the corners. I removed the gaskets - you can just pull them out. The glass is held in place with adhesive/sealant on the inside. The only method I could come up with to clean them was to perform wet sanding with wet/dry sandpaper. It took about a half hour for each gasket. I think they were stained by mildew.

After cleaning, I reinstalled the gaskets. I kept the gap at the top of the window where it is somewhat protected by the overhang of the cabin top. This works in my desert climate, but you might want to put a dab of silicone in the gap. The gap on my windows is about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.

I looked around, but did not find any replacement gasket that I thought would work.

Hope this helps.

[cemiii]

Thanks for confirming that C-View. I thought they were removable. rcwass, I can't believe C-Dory did not know/tell you that. As C-View mentioned, that means it is not that big a job to move the "shrinkage" to the top gap if one wishes. On mine the rear windows would never leak because they basically never get wet with an overhead sealed edge bimini. A top gap, up front, would be unlikely to leak as the brow eye extends well over, and the window frame drip line would drip over the glass. But a little sealant couldn't hurt for strong winds, or something. The angler, of course does not have the 2 extra side windows.

Still this is not an aesthetically attractive situation, so if anyone comes up with a source for replacement seals please post and let us know.

Azul, that item would not be a big factor in my purchase decision (price adjusted of course).

rcwass, if you have pictures and a source for your openable window conversion, I, for one, would love to have the info.

Chris

[rcwass]

CView,
Can you do me a favor? Go to www.americanmarine.com and look under Window. Click on Mariner Fixed. At the bottom of the page, click on replacement Gaskets. Where you had the old window gaskets out, can you tell me which profile on that page matches the gaskets you removed, if any.
You said you pulled the gasket out from the outside. Then can I assume it will snap back in place with a little pressure?
I appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Dick

[Captains Cat]

The samples I got a couple of years ago were from American Marine. the TP-240 seemed to be the closest fit. I never did the job though, sold the boat instead (I know, too radical! ).

Charlie

[cemiii]

OK, pulled an end out, now just need to silicone back in. You can see last silicone shrinkage gap repair.

Looking at this picture I can't help but wonder if I could have replaced the glass without frame removal? Oh well.

Definitely looks like either TP-240 or 139 (I can't tell that minute size difference. Would be great if you could get an inch or two sample of each before purchasing.

Chris

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[rcwass]

Great picture. Thanks. I'll order up a couple samples and let you know what I come up with. Thanks again. The picture tells it all.

[Cview]

rcwass - Sorry for the delay in responding. I couldn't convince myself that any of the gaskets on the American Marine site were the correct one. If you get samples and determine that one is correct, please let us know.

As I stated in my earlier post, my gaskets looked pretty grungy, but I was able to restore them with wet sanding. I soaked the gaskets overnight in water and then went to work. It takes a while, but sanding takes off the top layer that is stained revealing a fresh gray surface. It takes off the 'skin' on the plastic and it may get dirty faster, but it restored the gaskets to a degree that I found acceptable.

There may not be a true replacement gasket and replacing the windows would be very expensive.

Tony

[rcwass]

I ordered replacement gaskets from American Marine Products, www.americanmarine.com. I ordered gasket number TP-240. I measured and ordered 53 feet for my 1990 22ft Cruiser adding a little extra to the order. They charged me 1.25/ft plus SH totaling $82.11. The old gasket and new gasket have the same size foot which is pressed in between the window frame and glass. Any other size wouldn't stay. No adhesive used by C-Dory or me. The portion of the gasket seen from the outside is a little smaller on the new gasket but looks OK when installed. The new gasket comes in White or Black. It's critical when installing the new gasket to clean the track out good including excessive seal used to hold the glass in. During installation of the gasket, the window glass seal was never broken and the glass remaind in tact. It took a little pressing to get the new gasket seated especially in the corners but not bad. If I could figure out how to post pictures I would post them.

[BBlalock]

rcwass How has the window seal held up so far? I hoped to see your results before contacting American Marine about the TP-240 seal.
Benton