Window Leaks - Sliding windows, metal frame

[USAFRet]

Hi folks,

I discovered my windows leak while washing the boat this weekend. My wife found the wall fabric in a storage closet wet a few minutes after I was finished. They are narrow, 10ft long by 5' high sliders with metal frames. I'm guessing this was a problem with the previous owners because we found mold on the wall fabric and on some boxes in that closet.

I'll try to get closeup pictures of the tracks this week, but in the interim:

The tracks don't appear to have any silicone sealant around them. They don't look like they have been repaired. They appear to be rotted, but I may be seeing engineered cuts/drains so I don't want to go nuts with sealant until I know.

For permanent repairs - Are there seal kits I can purchase to simply swap out the seals?

[waybomb]

Really need to see pix of what you describe.

We've had three Carvers, and all had the same type of windows. A black frame screwed to the side of the hull, with felt type runners. Those runners are replaceable. But first check to see if the frame is draining.

There's a 2-3" long slot through the black frame at the base of the track, and can be seem from the outside of the boat. In between each track is another slot. These slots get built up with crud. A wire and alot of water cleans them out, and then the problem goes away.

If it's leaking through the frame / hull side, simply unscrew all the screws, pry the frame away from the boat, clean out all the old caulk, and apply new caulk. BUT - before you pull the frame away, run masking tape all the way around, about 1/16" away from the frame. Also all around the frame all the way to the edge of the side. This way, when you tighten up the frame against the hull and the caulk squishes out, you simply run your finger all the way around, remove the tape, and you have a perfect looking caulk job.