Is there a process to re-caulk around fixed round glass porthole on bow?

ZZ13

ZZ13

Well-Known Member
Nov 25, 2009
5,329
Lady's Island, SC
Boat Info
2001 400 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins 450 Diamond
My 300DA has two fixed round glass portholes on the top of the bow near the windshield. They have about a 3/16 recessed ring around the outer edge of the glass that is filled with caulk. Looks like its getting time to re-caulk them. First, is this bead of caulk cosmetic (just fills a recessed gap between glass and gelcoat) or functional (is its purpose to keep water out of the cabin)? Second, do I just pull out the old caulk, clean, and fill with new - or is there more to it than that?
 
It holds the glass in and will leak (ask me how I know) - Make sure you use non yellowing silicone (again, ask me how I know) - It is a real pain in the ass getting it to look good - Im contemplating making a "mask" out of contact paper so I can get a factory look - good luck
 
I would remove and rebed the entire thing...
 
Bill, I had a leak on my starboard side porthole, when I finally figured out where it was coming from, I pulled that insert down and called my windshield buddy and he came out and he re-sealed it from the bottom with the thick black caulk he uses for his windshield business. Hasn't leaked since.

You just have to pull out the little plastic covers to access the three phillips screws. Unscrew them and gently pull the trim down and you'll have access to the bottom of the glass. Some say it's best to do it from the top side, but when you pull that trim down, you'll see that it doesn't matter and is probably easier from the bottom too.

Good luck
 
Thanks for the responses. So my interpretation of all the posts is that the actual water seal is from a bed of caulk that the glass is sitting on between it and an underside overlap from the hole cutout. Thus the exposed caulk I am seeing from up top is essentially the excess caulk to the side of the glass and mostly cosmetic filler. Plus as filler I guess it prevents a water pooling location.

Is that correct?
 
ZZ13 said:
Thanks for the responses. So my interpretation of all the posts is that the actual water seal is from a bed of caulk that the glass is sitting on between it and an underside overlap from the hole cutout. Thus the exposed caulk I am seeing from up top is essentially the excess caulk to the side of the glass and mostly cosmetic filler. Plus as filler I guess it prevents a water pooling location.

Is that correct?
Click to expand...

We had Prince William re-caulk both of our skylights on our 2010 350 because we had a leak in the headliner that was messing with some if the cabin lighting. The caulk on the top had pulled away from the fiberglass and caused a small gap.

I was there when they fixed it. It took two and a half tubes of caulk and it was some special caulk. Thankfully they did it under warranty because they told me it was about $180 worth of caulk. (Maybe it's magic caulk)

At least on my boat what you see on top is definitely the water seal. They never removed the glass. Just the bed of caulk all the way around and then refilled it.
 
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