Hello all, I have a '87 Post 43 Sedan we recently purchased. The previous owner removed the sliding window sections and re-bedded and replaced with two piece stationary glass. I have no issues with this upgrade and love it. The question I have, is that another 43 post owner in my marina wishes to do the same to their boat and the marina service manager contacted me inquiring the particulars of this, as the other Post owner would like them to do the same. I unfortunately was not able to get much info from the previous owner of our boat to share. Has anyone done this similar project and have knowledge as to what was done in this procedure and can share? Below is a photo of my boat and the salon window for reference. Thank you, Jamie
We've had several discussions on this recently. Go to the search feature and type in "Window". There's a few relative threads starting on the 2nd page. Here's one to get you started: https://www.yachtforums.com/threads...ild-on-luhrs-34-tournament.33420/#post-299978
Sliding windows on boats are a great feature...at the boat show. Keep in mind that the fiberglass walls are continually flexing with every wave you hit, and that hole in the wall is a weak point. Not bad when you have a hunk of glass holding the frame and wall steady, but what happens when that window is slid back and no longer supporting the frame and wall. When the window is removed the hole may or may not resemble the shape it had when the boat was built. So the same window may or may not fit back in. Good chance the next sound you'll hear is the Sawzall; next comes the fiberglass guy. You don't want someone's first attempt at changing one to be on your boat.
As a matter of fact if I were to change out the windows on the side of my boat I'd probably bring in a guy from an RV/motorhome company. They've got a whole lot more experience in this than any marina I can think of short of some place like Dereckter's.
I did this project myself on my 43. I posed this thread: https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/salon-window-replacement-sliding-to-fixed.24663/#post-221575 give you some idea what I did.
How's that holding up 5 years later? Two concerns I would have are the 1/4" gap all around and how the sealant holds up over time, and being vulnerable to a blow in if a wave or person goes against it with it being mounted from the inside.