1985 GB42 center windshield glass replacement

[rgano]

As a result of Hurricane Sally, a family member without current access to the internet has need to replace the center opening pane of his GB42's windshield. Does anybody know the details of the mounting of this glass in the frame?

 

[Giggitoni]

Rich, I’m going down to do a few chores on my ‘86 GB42 tomorrow evening. I just replaced the piano hinge on the center window about a week ago. I’ll take a good look and report back this weekend.

 

[rgano]

One thought we have at this point is that the glass may remove from the back side. Thanks for your response.

 

[Giggitoni]

Check the condition of the piano hinge. It may be time to replace the hinge (don’t wait until it falls off like I did!). That way the window could be taken home and glass work done on a bench in the shop.

 

[rgano]

That's his plan.

 

[Brisyboy]

Rich, I’m going down to do a few chores on my ‘86 GB42 tomorrow evening. I just replaced the piano hinge on the center window about a week ago. I’ll take a good look and report back this weekend.

Not wanting to hijack the thread but......................

Re replacing the piano hinge- when you did yours, did you place any form of waterproof flexible barrier (a strip of vinyl?) under the hinge to stop it leaking. If I get a blast of spray at the top of the window it comes through via the piano hinge. If not, does yours ever leak?

 

[Giggitoni]

Not wanting to hijack the thread but......................

Re replacing the piano hinge- when you did yours, did you place any form of waterproof flexible barrier (a strip of vinyl?) under the hinge to stop it leaking. If I get a blast of spray at the top of the window it comes through via the piano hinge. If not, does yours ever leak?

I used butyl tape.

 

[Brisyboy]

I used butyl tape.

Hey, thanks Giggitoni,

Just to confirm - did you run one strip of butyl under both sides of the tape so when the window opens the tape bends in the middle (and stops any water getting through the hinge joint? Must admit I hadn`t thought of butyl but if it is as I think you have done it - great idea.

 

[Westiculo]

On our 1985, the glass was stuck to the surface of the frame with silicone - nothing simpler. Just pry it off.



Instead of butyl we used thin epdm rubber strips from mcmaster carr. Screwed them on just like you said, so the screws on both sides of the hinge go through the rubber and it bridges the gap underneath the piano hinge. We did this on our forward deck box, works great.

 

[Choices]

On mine there was a frame inside the outer frame holding the glass in. It is screwed in. Will be at boat tomorrow and can take pictures of needed.

The entire assembly can slide out and be taken to a shop. The swivel was two pieces of aluminum like bolt track interlocked.

I replaced the rubber with a gasket from Steele rubber products. While there it is a great time to refinish the interior frame and rechaulk it.

Also rechromed the window braces.

It is now bullet proof.

 

[Choices]

Pictures at "grandbankschoices". I think it is 2nd refit the hard part.

 

[Giggitoni]

Hey, thanks Giggitoni,

Just to confirm - did you run one strip of butyl under both sides of the tape so when the window opens the tape bends in the middle (and stops any water getting through the hinge joint? Must admit I hadn`t thought of butyl but if it is as I think you have done it - great idea.

I used a single strip of butyl tape under each stationary section of the hinge, not over the entire hinge. However, I used a pvc (plastic like) hinge rather than stainless steel, so I didn’t have the problem of sealing the “bending” part of the hinge.

 

[Brisyboy]

Thanks guys for giving your thoughts - I think I will go with a single strip of thin rubber screwed under each length of the hinge and under the join - this should keep the water out. The rubber should last as it is up under the flybridge overhang and never exposed to direct sunlight.

cheers

 

[firstbase]

......However, I used a pvc (plastic like) hinge rather than stainless steel, so I didn’t have the problem of sealing the “bending” part of the hinge.

Ray, I'm not getting this part. You don't happen to have a picture do you? I r not to brite tonight..!

 

[Giggitoni]

Hal, I’ll be doing some work on the boat tomorrow evening. I’ll post a photo.

 

[koliver]

Opening?
When I bought this boat, there was a SS bar connected to the central window, but the window didn't actually open. After a couple of hears, I realized that in a hot climate, but without Air Conditioning, some might want that window to open. Where I live, that was never going to be an issue, and since that part of the deck (where the opening hardware was located), was precious, I pulled that thing off and got rid of it.
My middle window was varnished shut, still is.

 

[83GB]

The person in the original post here.... The glass appears to come out from the back after removing wood strips on all 4 sides holding it in.... Where does one buy the piano hinge? Mine is shot so should replace it now.

 

[firstbase]

The person in the original post here.... The glass appears to come out from the back after removing wood strips on all 4 sides holding it in.... Where does one buy the piano hinge? Mine is shot so should replace it now.

The hinges are available "everywhere". TO my knowledge there is nothing special about the one used on a GB window. Lowes, McMaster-Carr, Grainger, etc.

 

[firstbase]

Hal, I’ll be doing some work on the boat tomorrow evening. I’ll post a photo.

Thanks Ray. Appreciate it.

 

[Giggitoni]

Rich,

If I were to replace the glass in the center window, like Choices said above, I would remove the strips from the inside of the window frame and remove the glass. The outside is finished and angled. Probably have to carefully drill out bungs to get to the screws.

Hal, 83GB, and Brisyboy,

I bought the piano hinge from McMaster-Carr. Their p/n 1588A731. McMaster-Carr describes it as, “Plastic piano hinge without holes, white, 2” overall width”. They sell the hinge by the foot. I ordered four feet. Cost was $26.36 USD. I could have got by with three feet...but then I wouldn’t have anything to throw away!

The first photo is the finished hinge in place. The second photo shows detail of the hinge itself. The window can only open up about 30* from the closed position. Which is about right because the windshield wipers and horn won’t allow any further.

I used a plastic hinge bedded with butyl tape because it’s easier to work with than stainless steel (drilling holes) and because it occasionally must be removed in order to get larger stuff out of the boat...like trying to squeeze a 19”-diameter water heater through an 18”-wide saloon door. Ask me how I know!

 

[firstbase]

Rich,

If I were to replace the glass in the center window, like Choices said above, I would remove the strips from the inside of the window frame and remove the glass. The outside is finished and angled. Probably have to carefully drill out bungs to get to the screws.

Hal, 83GB, and Brisyboy,

I bought the piano hinge from McMaster-Carr. Their p/n 1588A731. McMaster-Carr describes it as, “Plastic piano hinge without holes, white, 2” overall width”. They sell the hinge by the foot. I ordered four feet. Cost was $26.36 USD. I could have got by with three feet...but then I wouldn’t have anything to throw away!

The first photo is the finished hinge in place. The second photo shows detail of the hinge itself. The window can only open up about 30* from the closed position. Which is about right because the windshield wipers and horn won’t allow any further.

I used a plastic hinge bedded with butyl tape because it’s easier to work with than stainless steel (drilling holes) and because it occasionally must be removed in order to get larger stuff out of the boat...like trying to squeeze a 19”-diameter water heater through an 18”-wide saloon door. Ask me how I know!

Thanks! Looks nice, like the white look....

 

[DennisB1]

After reading about the piano hinge on the opening window, I looked at my 1990 49 classic. It has a hinge that is continuous with no leak paths. The metal is rolled and the window part slides into the mounting which allows the water to flow to the sides and drains. It does not have a pivot pin of the typical hinge. I could take a picture if any one has interest.

 

[83GB]

A picture would be good

 

[DennisB1]

Opening Cabin Window continuous Pivot to allow window to open on 1990 Grand Banks 49

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=109040&stc=1&d=1603052553

The pivot rolls in two cupped tracks rather than than a piano type hinge. The picture is an end view which shows a removable screw which when removed would allow the window frame assembly to slide out. This minimized the leak potential of the basic piano hinge.