1970’s Salon window expertise

[acbs38]

1970’s Salon window expertise

Need some serious direction on this one. Working on 41’ 1970 twin cabin. Just spent the first night on her when raining and I was able to pinpoint leakage issues. Main issue is the glass on both sides of salon. I really need to speak with someone on this forum to better understand the engineering behind these window frames, and how they are supposed to function correctly. It seems that the water is building up in the bottom of the tracks and just sitting there? Water is actually getting into the inside track and just sitting there? Any direction on this would be great, and I appreciate it greatly as I bring this old girl back to life little by little!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Sliders or fixed glass?

 

[acbs38]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Sliders!!

 

[acbs38]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

There are 3 tracks, 2 occupied by pieces of glass, and I would assume one track might have originally held a screen?

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

There are 3 tracks, 2 occupied by pieces of glass, and I would assume one track might have originally held a screen?

That is correct. What do you need to know? How to remove the glass?

 

[acbs38]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

I need to know what material should the glass be “running” on . It appears at some time there was a bristle type material on bottom of track. Beyond deterioration at this point. Also how is water infiltrating the very interior track behind a piece of glass in track 2. I’m counting tracks as 1,2,3 from exterior to interior.

 

[Sadey]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

There are plastic glides that the panes slide on or close against all the way around the window frames. There is also felt that the face of the window panes slide against. On our boat there are drains slots at both ends of the window frames. When we purchased Benedetto the aft deck window frames had a full on herb garden growing in the bottom track of the window frames. This prevented the water from finding the gaps in the plastic glides and the drain slots in the window frames. This caused water to back up enough to spill over into the inside of the aft deck bulkhead. Originally I used a scrub brush and water to clean out the garden which solved the water drain issue. I also went to Sam’s and purchased the glide and felt material. You’ll need to know how many feet of felt you need. You’ll also need to know the size of the plastic glide (there are two thicknesses) and total length needed as well.
They say here that the felt slides in easily once the old felt is out and the tracks are free of corrosion and clean. Full disclosure, I have been procrastinating on this project since buying Benedetto. I have the material needed, just dreading the process. Hope this helps.

 

[jmooney]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

I have done this , much easier if the frame is out , as when you have made some new frames. However, most of what I have replaced was with the windows in place . You need to make a tool to help install the fuzzy seals in the tracks . The nylon inserts go in easily. The fuzzy material does not slide that easy in the tracks .

 

[acbs38]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Holy awesome info! Do you know if there is any schematic showing glass, plastic guide and felt? Plastic guide goes around the entire window frame? Felt is between interior and glass?

 

[acbs38]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Thickness of plastic is based on thickness of glass or width of track?

 

[acbs38]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Jmooney do you have any pictures of tool you made? Or showing the process?

 

[jim rosenthal]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

The job is a pain in the neck, or regions south of the neck. Getting the old plastic material out is difficult because it usually breaks into pieces and has to come out a bit at a time. Getting the new plastic and felt in isn't easy, either. The whole thing is best done indoors, if you can, or, if not, in nice weather. Tedious doesn't begin to describe it.

 

[Photolomy]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

How do the windows come out? I assume you have to take them out first? My frames are actually in great shape (fresh water under cover most of its life), but I thought about renewing the felt and track to make them slide smoothly (they work now but a little binding).

 

[oscarvan]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Up and out...... Buy a set of high quality glazier's suction cups.

I was going to remove one of my square ones to get a piece of furniture out as it is the largest "hole" in the salon. Alas the outer one has to come out first and has an aluminum "U" channel on the end of it prohibiting it from going up. I am assuming it is held on with goop of some sort, but it didn't want to come off easily, so I aborted the mission. I would welcome insight into the removal of this piece.

We were able to get the couch out the back deck enclosure onto the swim platform with 4 people.

 

[Photolomy]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Thanks. We actually had the original sleeper on it when we bought it, and cut it up. As far as the window slide handles, I think mine will come off with just some force, one is loose already. I planned on putting them back on with silicone adhesive.

 

[Maurice]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

Just bought a 1973 38' Hatteras FBDC. The windows are quite like those described with three tracks - one for a sliding glass, one for a fixed glass and one for a screen. The windows slide, but the tracks were full of growth from neglect. The openings to drain the water were open so no water building up. It is easy to clean the drain openings. Thought I would have to replace all the slides, but with a very good detailed cleaning and dirt removal and lubrication, they work much better. Took a lot of scraping and vacuuming. New sliders are still needed but not urgent and I will wait another year. The inside frames are bronze and have a high internal wall so very little chance of leaking. I think it is remarkable they have done so well for 47 years, but the first owner (39 years) kept it inside for much of the time and no salt water. Happy to know I can get new sliders ... was worried about that. Best windows I have seen on a boat that old ... ever. Just wish the front windows had an opening. And must do a bit of caulking in the outside corners of the front windows, come spring. Will tape and use Flex Seal liquid ...

 

[jmooney]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

I will send a picture of the tool I made when I get back to Miami next week. The windows remove by lifting them up and then pulling the bottom out . The u shaped channel on the front of the sliding window is held on by various methods. Mine are held by using tape to create a tight fit with the glass . Some people had used a sealant to keep them on . Tap with a wooden block to get them loose . The aluminum frames might have settled, so the middle of the frame might have to be jacked up slightly to remove the glass . As someone above mentioned, a truly tedious task!

 

[MadHatter53]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

On my aft sliders I oversized and added a drain hole. This spring redoing both sides of aft deck are on my list, when we get heavy or southern rain I get some water that gets the carpet wet.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

And Sams has the plastic slides and fuzzies that you need.

 

[whoover]

Re: 1970’s Salon window expertise

The slide and wool replacement will make a world of difference in the operation of the windows. I did mine a year ago and couldn't be more pleased. I had the frames out of the boat. The worst part was getting the old slides our. As Dr. Jim said it breaks into small pieces and had to be pulled out with picks. The old wool pulled out like a zipper, easy. The tool for getting the new wool back in is a paint can opener, the idea of a forum member. The most difficult piece is the one next to the tall inside channel as there is little angle to work the tool in there. The plastic slide can pe pushed down in until it snaps with a block of wood the same width of the channel.Its quite a task but very rewarding when finished.

Walt Hoover