1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: Installing the Aft Enclosure Glass

The aft enclosure glass got delivered back in early November 2013, but we were wailing away on the final steps of the exterior paint job and I didn’t have time to install it. Then I had to remake the tent in preparation for winter, which took a goodly bit of time. Then winter 2014 hit with a vengeance, with weeks of brutally cold temps, snow storms, ice…you name it.

Yeah…I know…I’m a wimp. lol

Anyway, we got a break in the weather, so I took advantage of a 60°F weekend and got the windows installed in the aft enclosure.

First, tape off the exterior window opening

I have a bunch of leftover 3M 1/2″ fine line tape, which works well for protecting the paint from the sealant.

2) Run a bead of Boat Life polysulfide around the window frame, then place spacer blocks

The spacer blocks help ensure that there’s an adequate gap to allow for expansion between the glass and the frame.

3) Place the glass in the frame and moosh it into place with clamps

Tapered blocks cut from scrap 2x4s press up against the glass. This window was particularly challenging because I had to warp the glass to the frame, which had a curve in it. The frame has a curve in it because the SMIB fabricator who built my aft enclosure twisted some of the panels when he welded them all together. Not a problem…tempered glass reportedly takes curves rather well.

4) Use a plastic spreader to remove excess caulk

Then repeat for all the other windows

I’ll remove the clamps next weekend, then razor off the bit of rubber that remains on the glass.

Next up on our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer Refit: Window Pains III–the Evil Helm Window Frames