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V Berth Skylight

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captain bucknut
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/27/2025 : 10:39:13

1985 Catalina 25 swing keel

My skylight in the deck over the vberth is cracked (again) I�ve replaced it a couple times. Has anyone just filled this in with epoxy? I�m thinking to gouge out some of the core (like when filling in deck through bolt holes to redrill etc.) and allow for some of the epoxy to fill in the gaps and make for a solid plug in the deck.

Imma just use total boat epoxy. Just looking to see if anyone has had a good or negative experience.

Wnccat25
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts

Response Posted - 03/29/2025 : 06:05:27

My glass was smaller than the hole. The glue held it with some room for movement! Try not to step on it.

INDIAN, 89 Catalina 25,wing keel,short rig, classic. W-NC

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1773 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2025 : 14:20:59

Check out mass Marine parts in Quincy MA (https://massmarineparts.com/) I have been there several times and have purchased C-25 parts (aluminum windows, hatches, etc.) before. they part out boats and have literally millions of parts for all types of boats. The owner is very user friendly, knows what seems to be every boat ever made, and they ship anywhere. When i was there they had a trailer of just Catalina 22 through 30 parts. Another for larger Catalinas. Ditto for Pearson, Hunter, etc., etc. I could spend days there looking around. BTW they also have used sails, winches, and cushions. You might want to call and then send a picture of your skylight/hatch so he can see if he has one.

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9076 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2025 : 19:41:43

If you've ever slept there in a warm summer night, you would not think of permanently eliminating that hatch. At anchor, it forces air through the cabin. For resale, it would be missed.

You apparently know the sources for replacements... Now, how is it that it gets busted so often? Have you thought about one without the clear "skylight"?

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3440 Posts

Response Posted - 04/19/2025 : 21:07:46

I never stand or put weight on the hatch. When I have guests I always instruct them not to stand on the hatch. Perhaps when the boat was new, the hatch may have been strong enough to support body weight - not sure. I do not recall any warning (label) regarding not applying body weight to the skylight hatch, however, given the age of these hatches, UV deterioration and any age or cold related deterioration, I would be extremely hesitant to place weight on the skylight hatch. Even being careful, there is always the risk from a guest or myself accidentally putting weight on it but so far, that has not happened.

The plastic/plexiglas/acrylic material may not be the same and of different thickness compared to the cabin port/windows but I know those windows will certainly crack if significant weight from leaning on them etc is applied to them. I cracked one of the cabin ports many years ago. I used silicone glue to seal the crack and plan was to replace it. I was actually able to order from Catalina (the Mfr) a replacement port to the exact dimensions. They indicated I should trace an outline of the all plastic/acrylic port (my '89 has no aluminum frame and so Catalina still supports all acrylic replacement ports). On my website I have some details including a design dwg Catalina furnished for the install process. One thing different from original install was that the original install involved screws but Catalina no longer recommends that as the screw holes were oftentimes subject to cracks. Instead, the design drag indicates that the acrylic is installed with a special glue/caulk - Can't recall the name but it's on the design dog on my website. Since the silicone glues held up fine (only re-applied once) and my port never leaked, I still have not installed the replacement acrylic port - it remains inside my cabin in case I ever get the urge to replace the cracked port.

In regards to the skylight hatches, I believe they are or were at one time made by either Lewmar or Bowmar. Not sure if support is still provided.

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 04/19/2025 21:12:33

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.