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Leaking window

Printed From: myHanse.com
Category: Hints & Tips
Forum Name: 300 / 301
Forum Description: 300 & 301 Hints and Tips
URL: https://www.myhanse.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14958
Printed Date: 27 March 2026 at 03:29
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Leaking window
Posted By: sailingfree
Subject: Leaking window
Date Posted: 19 January 2025 at 21:42
Sadly one of the cabin windows has developed a leak on dragonfly. Has anyone resealed the aluminium framed windows and if so is there anything I should look out for?

Pete



Replies:
Posted By: mjo
Date Posted: 30 January 2025 at 12:22
If it isn't the aluminium frame itself and only the rubber seal which is between frame and glass, it is quite easy to replace. 

Take the old profile to the shop, in my case it took the 3 attempts to get the right profile. I finally got some support from GEBO (manufacturer, gebo.com) with the correct reference and supplier.

Martin


Posted By: stownsend
Date Posted: 29 May 2025 at 07:25
Hi All

All 3 of mine are now starting to leak in heavy rain, looks like it pools at the base and then drips down.  I've checked out IM Product's website, the UK dealer ..  https://www.improducts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/parts-for-Gebo-hatches-and-portlights-april2009-1.pdf" rel="nofollow - parts for Gebo hatches and portlights april2009 1.pdf  and found this document with part numbers on.  



Out of interest, before I strip and measure them, which one did Gebo suggest and any good suppliers?

Cheers

Stu


Posted By: sailingfree
Date Posted: 29 May 2025 at 15:35
Hi all,

I finally bit the bullet and pulled the window apart. Sadly contacting  Gebo or their local distributors was no help at all. From the outside it looks like the seal had failed at the bottom near the gap in the frame.

On Dragongly (2002 301) the front starboard window was leaking, so I undid the cross head self tappers on the inside and gently pried the inner from away from the window. This came away quite easily. The inner frame was split at the bottom where the leak was and had corroded slightly. You can see here where the old sealant on the outside had failed and was letting water in.



Next was a thin layer of what looked like platsic film which kept the black rubber sealant from sticking to the inner frame.



The frame didn't appear to have any pre-moulded seaing rubbers to I guess the Gebo site refers to other windows. I also found that the outer rim was still well stuck to the hull so I didn't remove that from the hull.

The sealant looks like a butyl rubber which was still quite sift and could easily be scraped and cut away to let me pull the window glass out. This is with the old sealant still in place at the bottom.




and with the old sealant removed.



As the old sealant looked like it had been gunned in I bought some Arbo mast BR - Sealing Compound for windows from the local chandlers. Beware, this is messy stuff and old clothes and gloves are essential!

After cleaning the old sealant out I gunned in a good thick bead making sure it filled the sealing groove on the outer rim and I had a good bead where the glass would fit against the outer rim.

This is what I used for sealing: https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Arbo/mast-BR-Sealing-Compound-Grey-380ml/CJ5

I used some flexible tape to make a similar gasket to the old film and put the inner rim back using the same self tappers. I made sure that the glass started to press gently against the bead but not so tight it forced all the sealant out.

Cleanup took a while using white spirit and lots of paper towels and I left it for a few days to let the sealant skin over. I also tightened the fixing scres very slightly so the now cured bead of sealant is under gently compression.

After some recent heavy(ish) rain, the window is now sealed up nicely and I don't get drips any more. I hope that helps.

Pete






Posted By: Bitbaltic
Date Posted: 30 May 2025 at 21:05
Thanks for this detailed description Pete. Mine aren’t leaking yet, but they are weeping some silvery silicone stuff on the outside which I have heard is the precursor to failure. It is great to have a detailed description for when the time comes.

-------------
Hanse 301 'Karisma' | https://sailingkarisma.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow - https://sailingkarisma.wordpress.com/


Posted By: Martin&Rene
Date Posted: 31 May 2025 at 09:34
Minor leaks can sometimes be cured with 

captain tolley's creeping crack cure

https://captaintolley.com/" rel="nofollow - https://captaintolley.com/


-------------
Martin&Rene Hanse 341 Dipper Wheel steering, 3 cabin layout, normally based in Scotland


Posted By: stownsend
Date Posted: 03 June 2025 at 22:27
Thanks all, on checking the drips it was the port lights, both the gebo in the heads and cabin as well as the vetas port light in the cockpit. The gebo deals are no brittle where exposed and the vetas one I think is loose by the hinges as well as the seal starting to go brittle.

I’m awaiting a reply back from IM products as the uk dealer before I try gebo directly but not holding out much luck based on previous comments.

Cheers

Stu



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