"Skylight" Leaking - 2006 290DA

[Nacho Boat]

I have a 2006 290DA. The bow has two fixed skylights, and one hatch. My port side fixed skylight (triangular in shape and about 18" long) developed a leak over the weekend. Has anyone had any experience with correcting this?

Do I need to remove the old adhesive and reglue the window?

The glass is recessed, so there is a small "moat" around the skylight. What would be the best sealant to use to help dry this opening?

Any and all help appreciated! Thanks!!!!

 

[Groucho]

Oh Oh...I was hoping this wouldn't happen...
Pete...I would call Sea Ray and see if they would fix it under the hull warranty. I Know..I know...some are going to say it isn't the hull...But Sea Ray may fix it.

 

[JV II]

If you can, remove the inner frame to see exactly where the water is coming from to be sure it is not traveling from somewhere else. It is possible for water to be coming in through the glazing, but be sure before you start digging out the old stuff. That would be a chore. How does it look from the outside? Any dry rot, cracks, gaps?

 

[boatmailster]

I have a 2006 290DA. The bow has two fixed skylights, and one hatch. My port side fixed skylight (triangular in shape and about 18" long) developed a leak over the weekend. Has anyone had any experience with correcting this?

Do I need to remove the old adhesive and reglue the window?

The glass is recessed, so there is a small "moat" around the skylight. What would be the best sealant to use to help dry this opening?

Any and all help appreciated! Thanks!!!!

cut out old sealant between glass and deck, but don't remove glass. clean it out with acetone, you may want stick rag between glass and fiberglass and clean all possible dirt collected around glass.
tape around glass edge and deck to keep job neat. use good quality marine silicone to seal gap between deck and skylight. you may want to force silicone deep into gap using narrow tip on silicone tube.

 

[skolbe]

I thought I had a leak in a skylight- it was the rails for the sunpad. It was dripping at the skylight.

 

[JV II]

That would be 3M 4000 in a caulk gun. It is too thick in a tube to flow well and the tubes hold more air, causing bubbles as it cures.

 

[Nacho Boat]

If you can, remove the inner frame to see exactly where the water is coming from to be sure it is not traveling from somewhere else. It is possible for water to be coming in through the glazing, but be sure before you start digging out the old stuff. That would be a chore. How does it look from the outside? Any dry rot, cracks, gaps?

Mike - Did you ever see this on your old 290?

The sealant/adhesive around the glass looks anything but weathertight (it is dried out and starting to crack....to be honest, I was surprised that these have been weathertight as long as they have).

I do not understand the concept of placing a recessed area (it looks like a castel moat) around the glazing. :huh: This area looks like a great spot for water to accumulate and leak into the boat.

 

[JV II]

I have these on my 330 as I did on the 290. The sealant is recessed. I believe this is for 2 reasons. One is the application, two is the shrinkage. I have not had any leaks on either boat through the sky lights, but I did once through either the windshield or wiper. The wiper motor died, so that may be related. The water came in just over the galley stove during heavy seas and wind giving spray over the bow. It fried my Blackberry as it was plugged into the outlet behind the stove. That's why I say take off the frame and check to be sure the leak is coming in around the skylight first.

If you do recaulk, tape both sides of the joint, fill it to the top and trowel it level to the surface with a plastic putty knife. Use the 4000. TAKE THE TAPE OFF BEFORE IT CURES or you will have the tape glued to the sealant. It is shiny gloss white and will stay cleaner than the original stuff.

 

[Dave S]

I am not necessarily suggesting this as a fix, but there is an automotive silicone specifically made for windshield or glass leaks. It is very thin and runny so when it is applied it will seep into cracks to stop leaks. It is available at most automotive supply stores.

Dave