|
28-07-2013, 23:15
|
#1
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,126
|
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
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 00:24
|
#2
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: sydney, australia
Boat: 38 roberts ketch
Posts: 1,309
|
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...
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 00:27
|
#3
|
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Hawaii
Boat: CS 40
Posts: 171
|
I've had good success with Lifeseal. It adheres to plexiglass and fiberglass better then silicone but can be removed much easier then 5200.
__________________
Michael Fössl
S/V Second Jump
British Columbia
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 01:32
|
#4
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,126
|
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.
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 11:15
|
#5
|
Senior Cruiser
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: San Antonio, TX/Bocas del Toro, Panama
Boat: 1990 Macintosh 47, "Merlin"
Posts: 2,844
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by GILow
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.
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 12:06
|
#6
|
Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: aboard, cruising in Australia
Boat: Sayer 46' Solent rig sloop
Posts: 28,438
|
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
__________________
Who scorns the calm has forgotten the storm.
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 16:08
|
#7
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,126
|
Re: Window Bolts and Nuts
Quote:
Originally Posted by bstreep
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.
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 16:09
|
#8
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,126
|
Re: Window Bolts and Nuts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate
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....?
|
|
|
29-07-2013, 16:10
|
#9
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: On the boat, somewhere in Australia.
Boat: Swanson 42 & Kelly Peterson 44
Posts: 9,126
|
Re: Window Bolts and Nuts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ann T. Cate
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.
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Rate This Thread |
Linear Mode
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Advertise Here
Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vendor Spotlight |
|
|
|
|