Sliding Windows

[bob conway]

Any suggestions how to make the side windows slide more easily? Mine are getting harder and harder to slide.

 

[Kamalani]

Bob - we had the same problem on our R-21EC, only, the windows stuck firmly shut as well. We discovered that a can of McLube (by Harken for sailors), worked wonders. spray the catch on both the window and the frame, and also the "fuzzy" track on top and bottom. this does not leave an oily mess, and a few applications will most likely help a lot.
Alex, "Kamalani"

 

[j&lgray]

We have the same experience on the Laurie Ann. We use a Q-tip to swap in Dawn soap in the tracks and work the window back and forth and then all is good. We do a re-application every month or so. No big deal.

 

[JamesTXSD]

I clean out the window tracks on Wild Blue with vinegar water, then spray them with Liquid Rollers. It works well and doesn't seem to accumulate the crud that some products do. I try to rinse the windows and tracks after each day in the salt water, but that isn't always possible. The Liquid Rollers makes a real difference and lasts quite a while.

Best wishes,
Jim B

 

[LADY JANE]

Our New R-21EC has the same sliding window problems as stated by others. They jam, like Gorrilla Super Glue was poured directly into the tracks. I've heard of a few 'non-stick' things that might work, but haven't really found anything that works that great for salty sliding windows (like a hot knife thru butter for example). What is the procedure for requesting a Manufacturer's corrective action for this non-sliding Slider malfunction? It is obviously a common problem among us. Frozen windows or doors can break if and when pryed upon. Injuries take place when doors & windows don't work correctly. Any boat model with sliding doors or windows (esp. in salt water) may have this potentially intermittent condition. Jammed open Sliders are certainly weather / security threats. What is THE Manufacturer's Official FIX for inop sliding windows, Please? [Safety is not expensive, it's Priceless]

 

[baz]

I've had our R25 (Classic) for 5 years now and all windows slide open without issues. The one sticky one is the port side navigator's window. My trick is to never close it completely with the latch lock. This seems to resolve any difficulty opening it.

I kind of like that the windows require some effort to open as this safeguards them from being opened by small children who like to touch everything. They have to request assistance from an adult which makes this safer IMO.

 

[walldog]

I've had our R25 (Classic) for 5 years now and all windows slide open without issues. The one sticky one is the port side navigator's window. My trick is to never close it completely with the latch lock. This seems to resolve any difficulty opening it.

I kind of like that the windows require some effort to open as this safeguards them from being opened by small children who like to touch everything. They have to request assistance from an adult which makes this safer IMO.

If Gil had to ask your assistance everytime she wanted to open her window, your attitude may change... :lol:

 

[baz]

Herb: You must have not understood my post saying there's no issue opening the port side Nav's window. It's never closed with the latch lock so it's very easy to open. Gill (not Gil BTW) can open it without issues. 🙂 So Gill never has to ask me for help since, but as you say, if she did have to, then yes, my attitude would change and I would jump into action while she took over as the 'lookout'. :lol: Early on with the R25 this window was a dog when the latch was full engaged, but that's no longer the case and Gill would ask for help at times.

 

[LADY JANE]

Is there a home remedy or dedicated product that alleviates salt in a stuck sliding window channel?

 

[walldog]

Once you get the window open, take a stick of wood that will fit in the channel where the latch goes. Pry the channel apart slightly. The channel does not let the latch completely disengage from the channel. It holds the top of the latch so that it cannot go up high enough to completely release. This has worked on every window we have had that sticks. No worries about shutting them too hard now.

Not saying you do not have to keep the channels clean, but not the real issues with sticking windows on our tugs.

 

[dante3756]

After trying several fixes, I used just 1 application of Liquid Roller (used to spray on boat trailers). No problems in over a year. Available at most marine supply stores.

 

[Boont Boater]

Good suggestions. Cleaning the window track needs to go on my maintenance list.

Port Navigator's window was a problem on our C-Dory and it did the same thing on our Ranger 29 but this time I caught it rather then seeing it disappear over the side 😛 . FYI replacement handles are available from Canada.

I tried using epoxy to secure it but that didn't last. Any suggestions on how to secure the window handles once they come off? I can't remember what I used last time - I think some fancy tape that came with the handle.

Jeff

 

[pugtug613]

This is one of very few complaints about Rangers. I spent well over $100K on a boat and I have to tweak my windows to get them to operate smoothly. I think the factory should do something permanent. I fixed mine with Gorilla tape! 125K and I used Gorilla tape!

 

[Boont Boater]

Hey PugTug,

So you are saying that there is a Gorilla tape that is sticky on both sides?

Maybe that's what Diamond Sea Glaze sent me with the new latch.

Jeff

 

[pugtug613]

No, I never had my handles fall off. I got my windows to open and close w/o getting stuck by putting Gorilla tape over the outside edge of the latch. It seems to get stuck in the track. The Gorilla tape acts like a "ramp" to let the latch move passed the frame smoothly. My point was this has been happening for a while. Just do a search on this thread. Usually the port side, the windows get stuck. People say "bend the frame" "use a piece of wood to force it open" "don't close it all the way".
COME ON! THESE BOATS ARE NOT CHEAP! Pry it open with a piece of wood!!!
It just gets my juices flowing. I will fix mine permanently over the winter, but I shouldn't have to.

 

[Levitation]

Yeah Pug. Just think of it as the Tug cachet.
Like driving a classic Jag . . . that won't start if it is raining . :mrgreen:
The original denny-o wood tool resides in the glove compartment. It came out of the scrap box so the cost is low.
I spoze I could do some inlays on the sides with exotic wood and some ivory salvaged form old piano keys and give it 15 coats of varnish (wet sanded between coats) to get that $100,000 look to it - or not.
Keep your weather channel clean and lubricated and a 4 inch piece of wood handy.
There are more momentous issues to contemplate - like having to change the shear pin on the aft thruster, eh.

 

[jroyle]

COME ON! THESE BOATS ARE NOT CHEAP! Pry it open with a piece of wood!!!
It just gets my juices flowing. I will fix mine permanently over the winter, but I shouldn't have to.

I'm pretty sure Ranger doesn't build these windows, why not contact the manufacturer of the windows?..

 

[LADY JANE]

Thanks WALLDOG, You've got the right idea for loosening a Tugs' super tight sliding windows. I used a wooden doorstop wedge like you said, and tapped it into the opened window channel. Then I pryed the channel apart until it was slightly wider than the too-tight sliding window...and voila!

 

[dante3756]

I used Liquid Rollers a year ago and the window that had been sticking is still working well. Liquid Rollers is typically used on boat trailers to make the boat slide up the trailer easier. Available at most boat supply companies.

 

[walldog]

Thanks WALLDOG, You've got the right idea for loosening a Tugs' super tight sliding windows. I used a wooden doorstop wedge like you said, and tapped it into the opened window channel. Then I pryed the channel apart until it was slightly wider than the too-tight sliding window...and voila!

Yes, keeping the tracks clean is one thing, but in my case the latches were not releasing fully because the channel was compressed, possibly during installation, but more likely through stressing of the cabin walls while being trailered, lifted on a sling, or plowing through heavy seas.