T&T: Sliding Salon Windows

[Bob McLeran]

George, I notice that you're getting some advice about where to purchase 
the channels you'll need. What no one has mentioned is that you cannot 
simply replace the felt - you have to replace the entire channel (with 
lining attached). Actually, the lining isn't felt, at least on the 
windows on the two trawlers I've dealt with - it's more like a heavy 
pile lining the three sides of the channel.

The replacement involves removing the entire window frame and window, 
then replacing the channels with the window inserted, and then replacing 
the frame. Not a little job, but certainly not a major piece of 
construction, either, depending on how your windows are put together. On 
our former boat I replaced one window's channels; aside from the work I 
had to do to repair rotted wood under the window where the channel had 
leaked rain water, the job probably took 6-8 hours.

Need to remove the outer frame, which involved removing bungs hiding 
screws, pry the frame off the exterior bulkhead and then remove the 
channels and glass window itself. If you don't have to do any wood work 
to repair damaged areas and if the exterior frame didn't break when 
being removed, you'd just need to cut the channels to fit and then get 
it all back together again. You'll probably need to refinish the frame 
after replacing the bungs.

You could probably get good advice from the MTOA.

<><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><>
Bob McLeran and Judy Young                  Manatee Cove Marina
MV Sanderling                               Patrick Air Force Base
Defever 41 Trawler                          Melbourne, Florida 



On 11/2/2007 11:20 PM, George Ruelens wrote:
> We have a 1987 Marine Trader with three sliding windows in the salon. The
> felt like material needs replaced in the metal U shaped channel the window
> slides in. Anyone have any suggestions where I can obtain new felt for the
> channel. Also, if you have input about performing the replacement it would
> be appreciated. Thanks,
> George Ruelens
> "Two If By Sea"