The never-ending project to fill my hole in the ocean while bailing it out

Preparing for Sailing Season 2011
The Windows Removal and Resealing Project
Part II — The Challenge Continues . . .

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It was with shock and great disappointment that I discovered a serious leak in the cabin on July 12 of last summer, after the first major rainfall since getting Chip Ahoy onto its mooring. During the afternoon of drying everything out and inspecting for leaks, I had to accept that the culprit was probably the starboard window seals -- again and still. The port side windows appear water-tight. This continued all summer.

During a nasty squall and particularly heavy rainfall while on an overnighter out in Misery Island's cove the leaks were obvious, along with an immediate solution until I could do the resealing job over: buckets and pans beneath the windows.

With Chip Ahoy uncovered and a storm front moving in with downpours in the forecast for the next day or two, I covered the cabin with a small tarp to keep the interior dry.  (May 7, 2011)

Though cooler than yesterday's 70s, with an easterly onshore breeze the temperature supposed to reach only the mid- to high-50s, the forecast was for clearing sky, partly cloudy until at least late afternoon. Good enough to jump on removing the windows, and I can always pull the tarp back over if caught in the rain.

I marked around the window frames then also lightly scribed the mark with the tip of an awl, so I'd know where to run the masking tape before I reinstall the windows.

I was surprised by how much easier the windows were to remove. This time I knew "the tricks" and had "the tools" at the ready. They were installed only a year ago, but more importantly -- good news/bad news -- they were apparently not held fast by as much bedding compound.

With them removed, gaps in the compound around the frames were apparent, but I was gratified to find the small wood spacers on the bottoms of each remained intact. While removing the old compound and duct tape residue from around the windows on the trunk, first with the putty knife then acetone, I decided to try filling the small gouge between the windows and where a pop-top snap had ripped out with some gelcoat.  (May 8, 2011)

With this morning's bright sunrise, today looked good for replacing the windows. First I had to scrape off the old bedding compound — which turned out to be the most difficult, time-consuming part of this job so far. It took a few hours to dig it out of the channels with a screw driver before the frames were clean enough. By the time the windows were ready to install the sky had clouded over, a wind kicked up, and showers were in the forecast.

The latest low pressure rain storm moved out to sea and stalled — as usual — where it's spinning back over us and will for the next couple of days — until the next one comes through from out west and pushes this one further out to sea.  This is called spring in New England, aka, Monsoon Season!  Oh well, tomorrow's another day and I'm ready to go when the weather cooperates.  (May 9, 2011)