Message 19 of 19
Posted by member colin and angela on Monday 1 July 2024

The windows on our MS18 were leaking, when we got the boat up here last year, the front cabin window was covered in blue tape, I presume to stop the ingress of water, this wasn't present when we previously saw it.

I had other more important things to get on with, so really didn't get around to remowing this tape until late last year, All the rubber seals on the boat appear to be in good condition, ie, they are not cracked or perished in any way which is the way they seem to go, Problem is, there are large gaps where the seals meet, as if they were stretched when cut and fitted and have since crept back. (evident on other Hardy's)

There is some slight crazing to the perspex, never seen one that hasn't been this way - however, in my opinion, not bad enough to warrant replacement, all the Pilot house windows are of course toughened glass - but the seals also have gaps.

As most will know from around July last year, it never stopped raining, so every time we visited the boat, it was a question of pumping the water from the bilges, she's on the hard so the water has to have been coming in the windows, however, the bulkhead carpet surrounding the front window was damp, so this was deemed the main culprit, so, on one of the days without rain in it (it was forecast but didn't arrive) I painstakingly removed all the blue tape and glue residue from the rubber seal and surrounding fibreglass and cleaned it as best I could, then ran a clear silicone bead along the top edges of the rubber seal. The gap in the rubber was at the bottom and now not sealed with any tape, so I had purchased some self adhesive rubber tape, cut a large patch and stuck it over the gap on the outside (boy the glue on this stuff was very high tac - get it in the wrong position and its permanent!

A week later after significant continuous rain storms, we were pleased to note that the front window sealing had worked perfectly, evident by the now dry bulkhead carpet surround and almost total lack of water in the bilges.
Indeed over the wet/stormy winter months, this has continued to be the case. Minimal water ingress was noted on the other windows, upon inspection, the rubber window seal holds the glass slightly outboard of the fibreglass.
I have taken the time to cut and fit the rubber tape patches to cover the joins on all windows, both inside and out, not only looks better than the gap but also helps to keep the rain out!

The inserts to the rubber seals have seen better days and show weathering to the material they are composed of, so I really could do with replacement inserts if I can find them!

I am just amazed at how watertight this little Hardy is, having owned two previous boats over the years, none were so watertight. Having gone to great pains to fit an automatic electric bilge pump alongside recommissioning the original manual pump, both of which work fine, I have yet to need to use them as the most I get out of the bilge is a tea cup full usually removed from the saloon floor access hatch with a sponge!

Happy Days!

Col (& Angie)

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Message 17 of 19
Posted by member Roger Piper on Monday 26 March 2007

Stan Nesbitt or Dominic Gibbin Am about to replace windows in motor sailer 20. On removing window I see a thin film of black flaky substance and assume it is a mastic or sealant. Did you use a sealant , and if so what was it ? Regards Roger Piper

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Message 15 of 19
Posted by member Howard Dearman on Friday 2 March 2007

I fitted sliding windows to my seawings 194 last winter. For a few hundred pounds it has transformed my enjoyment of using the boat by removing the feeling of being cramped and cut off from the outside. I removed one window to make a template and the only difficult part was in aligning the screw fixings on the front lower edge.

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Message 13 of 19
Posted by member Dominic Gribbin on Thursday 10 March 2005

Hi Chris A quote from Stan Nesbitt's earlier advice on this matter 14 Nov 04 Regards, Dominic. ''On the outside of the window retaining rubber there is a 'filler strip' which you need to remove first by prising the end out from the mould ing and then pulling the filler strip out all round the window. The perspex will now be easily removable outwards whilst leaving the rubber window moulding in place. Take the old window to a perspex stockist (Look in Yellow Pages under plastics windows - perspex) and get him to cut you a new one to match the original. Taking it to a 'Marine' company will mean paying probably four times the price for the same thing. This is easily inserted into the original surround rubber. The more difficult part begins now! You'll need a special insertion tool to get the filler strip back in. You may be able to borrow one from a xcoachbuilder, a car windrcreen firm or similar (Including caravan repairer. Otherwise you'll have to buy one. There are a couple of firms who advertise in Practical Boat Owner under 'Fitting out' suggest you try 'Seals + Direct' on 0845 226 3345. They can also supply a new window rubber and/or the filler strip if the old one is in poor condition. Come back to me on the website if you need any more info''. Stan Nesbitt

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Message 11 of 19
Posted by member Julie on Friday 27 August 2004

I have a Hardy seawings 254 and this is also a pain for me when entering my berthing due to small space, I find extra weight in bow area slightly helps, if you find a better solution contact me many thanks Julie

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Message 9 of 19
Posted by member Chris Rendell on Friday 4 July 2003

I have just bought a Hardy 20 Family pilot and I'm having troble with slight leaks in two of the 3 cabin windows ( front and starboard sides ) I'm reluctant to take the windows out without having new rubber sections to replace . Any thoughts

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Message 7 of 19
Posted by member Paul Douglas on Sunday 12 May 2002

Hi Jon Yes, it would be interesting to see the pics of your Hardy modifications. I may try for a fridge under the helm seat some time in the future, and would be interested. I'm currently shifting the batteries to a purpose made vented, sealed locker under the front bed base, to shift the weight forward and central (they're on the 'drivers' side at the moment), and also throw the rear locker spare for me to refit the webasto diesel heater that the previous owner had fitted. regards Paul

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Message 5 of 19
Posted by member Paul Douglas on Saturday 27 April 2002

Hi Jon I was tempted to change the windows for the sliders but I thought they might be a tad expensive ? Wow, I wouldn't class myself as a cabinetmaker ! I put it down to marvelous gadgets like routers and radial saws etc.. I find a can get a good result fairly quickly, which spurs me on. I've just added a few more pics showing my new passenger seat/galley modifications. Good luck with your Hardy. regards Paul

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Message 3 of 19
Posted by member Paul Douglas on Tuesday 26 March 2002

Thanks Brian, yes it's kept me out of mischief for the past few months.... It was the conservatory actually, but yes, I was under threat if the carpet was marked ! Good luck with your Hardy acquisition this year. Regards Paul

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Message 1 of 19
Posted by member Brian Sweeting on Saturday 23 March 2002

Paul, you appear to have been busy this past winter. I take it that Sarah doesn't mind you oiling your woodwork in the lounge judging by the picture of the new cockpit pieces. ) Anyway, good job, well done. I am hoping to acquire a Hardy this year and as it won't be a new one it is good to see what can be done to revive an older boat. Brian

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