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Old 28-07-2013, 23:15   #1
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Window Bolts and Nuts

Hello Cruisers,

I am fitting new windows to the boat. Using 8mm clear perspex, replacing the old 4mm which was truely stuffed. Also replacing all 160 stainless 3/16" bolts.

Due to the extra thickness of the new windows, the dome nuts that used to be on the outside are now just slightly proud of the cabin sides. I wonder if there is any problem in reversing the setup so the screw heads are on the outside and the nuts are on the inside, the screw heads would sit nice and flush. (FWIW, the screw heads are the flat round type that provide plenty of contact area for the perspex with or without a washer so strength should be the same. The window mounting structure is designed with external wave impacts in mind.)

It seems like a no brainer, but I looked around at other boats near mine and could not see any where the dome nuts were on the inside, which got me worried. Am I missing something subtle?

Matt
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Old 29-07-2013, 00:24   #2
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Re: Window bolts and nuts.

cant see a problem - my heavy weather windows are screwed from the outside in. Like you say - they are designed to withstand pressure, the bolts just hold it in place. If there's any concern you could back it up with a glue instead of silicone - just be a pain next time they have to come off but...
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Old 29-07-2013, 00:27   #3
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I've had good success with Lifeseal. It adheres to plexiglass and fiberglass better then silicone but can be removed much easier then 5200.
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Old 29-07-2013, 01:32   #4
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Re: Window bolts and nuts.

Reassuring to hear someone else has their bolts that way round, thanks.

I didn't know about Lifeseal, but I do now, thanks, looks interesting. I am already using Sikaflex 295, which is sort of a glue I think, UV stabalised. The description is very similar to that of Lifeseal on the respective web sites. Bit of a bugger to remove, but then, I am hoping the new windows will give me at least ten years. The warranty says 30 years without yellowing... we shall see.
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Old 29-07-2013, 11:15   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GILow View Post
Hello Cruisers,

I am fitting new windows to the boat. Using 8mm clear perspex, replacing the old 4mm which was truely stuffed. Also replacing all 160 stainless 3/16" bolts.

Due to the extra thickness of the new windows, the dome nuts that used to be on the outside are now just slightly proud of the cabin sides. I wonder if there is any problem in reversing the setup so the screw heads are on the outside and the nuts are on the inside, the screw heads would sit nice and flush. (FWIW, the screw heads are the flat round type that provide plenty of contact area for the perspex with or without a washer so strength should be the same. The window mounting structure is designed with external wave impacts in mind.)

It seems like a no brainer, but I looked around at other boats near mine and could not see any where the dome nuts were on the inside, which got me worried. Am I missing something subtle?

Matt
As noted in another thread, try Dow 975. It is made for this job. Be careful in drilling holes and screwing things down. Acrylic expands and contracts ALOT with heat and cold. Tight screws or bolts can crack your windows.
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Old 29-07-2013, 12:06   #6
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Re: Window Bolts and Nuts

The holes for the screws need to have clearance for a 25% heat expansion . You'll want to use washers between the perspex and the panhead screw. But making the screw holes oversize like this did work on our perspex windows (on our first Insatiable).

There's another thread about this on the forum now, something about "sexy windows". The discussion is about how to do it without screws.

Finally, Matt, I hope you've access to a reasonable nuts and bolts store!

Ann
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Old 29-07-2013, 16:08   #7
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Re: Window Bolts and Nuts

Quote:
Originally Posted by bstreep View Post
As noted in another thread, try Dow 975. It is made for this job. Be careful in drilling holes and screwing things down. Acrylic expands and contracts ALOT with heat and cold. Tight screws or bolts can crack your windows.

Very good point on the expansion, I had forgotten about that, thank you.
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Old 29-07-2013, 16:09   #8
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Re: Window Bolts and Nuts

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Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate View Post

There's another thread about this on the forum now, something about "sexy windows". The discussion is about how to do it without screws.

Ann
Now why on earth didn't I think of using that as a search term before now....?
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Old 29-07-2013, 16:10   #9
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Re: Window Bolts and Nuts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate View Post

Finally, Matt, I hope you've access to a reasonable nuts and bolts store!

Ann
Yep, and buying them in packs of 100 each gets a 25% discount too.
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