Opening Sliding Windows.
The sliding windows on my 2003 32' Tug are very difficult to open.
When we try to slide back the window, they tend to cock at a slant
instead of staying correctly aligned top to bottom. I presume this is
because the sliding felt at the bottom is worn out and not holding the
window straight. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and was
able to remedy it. I am hoping so! Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Don Albanese
2003 32' #228 Annie
Vermilion, Oh
Hey Don!
Not sure if the archives here are searchable, but definitely has been discussed. In our case, the problem was dirt/pollen/growth in the lower track. I spent some time with hot water, soap, toothbrushes, etc. and made a custom “tool” from a bamboo chopstick that would let me scrape all the way into the corners of the channels. This did pretty good, windows are useable again. On one of them, I also disassembled the window (removed the slider and the upright, plus the fixed glass pane). It’s relatively easy to do this. That one works like new, because I could clean it out much more thoroughly. But the quick fix gets you 90% of the way there. In either case, be ready with some paper towels or terry, etc. to catch water inside the boat as you wash/flush.
Cheers and good luck!
Ben
On Jun 22, 2026, at 08:25, Don Albanese via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
The sliding windows on my 2003 32' Tug are very difficult to open.
When we try to slide back the window, they tend to cock at a slant
instead of staying correctly aligned top to bottom. I presume this is
because the sliding felt at the bottom is worn out and not holding the
window straight. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and was
able to remedy it. I am hoping so! Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Don Albanese
2003 32' #228 Annie
Vermilion, Oh
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
Oil
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 8:25 AM Don Albanese via Sentoa <
sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
The sliding windows on my 2003 32' Tug are very difficult to open.
When we try to slide back the window, they tend to cock at a slant
instead of staying correctly aligned top to bottom. I presume this is
because the sliding felt at the bottom is worn out and not holding the
window straight. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and was
able to remedy it. I am hoping so! Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Don Albanese
2003 32' #228 Annie
Vermilion, Oh
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
--
Timothy Grady
I use silicon spray..
Dave Kircher
Sparrow, NT32-288
Bainbridge Island, WA
On Jun 22, 2026, at 8:58 AM, Timothy Grady via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
Oil
On Mon, Jun 22, 2026 at 8:25 AM Don Albanese via Sentoa <sentoa@lists.sentoa.org> wrote:
The sliding windows on my 2003 32' Tug are very difficult to open.
When we try to slide back the window, they tend to cock at a slant
instead of staying correctly aligned top to bottom. I presume this is
because the sliding felt at the bottom is worn out and not holding the
window straight. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and was
able to remedy it. I am hoping so! Thanks in advance for any guidance.Don Albanese
2003 32' #228 Annie
Vermilion, Oh
_______________________________________________
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To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org--
Timothy Grady_______________________________________________
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We have a 2003 32 nordic Tug and I could not get the windows open UNTIL someone on this site said that Simple green worked. And it does!! In no time we were in business!
Carol Hamilton
DECOY II
NT32 - 23l
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 22, 2026, at 11:41, Ben McCafferty via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Hey Don!
Not sure if the archives here are searchable, but definitely has been discussed. In our case, the problem was dirt/pollen/growth in the lower track. I spent some time with hot water, soap, toothbrushes, etc. and made a custom “tool” from a bamboo chopstick that would let me scrape all the way into the corners of the channels. This did pretty good, windows are useable again. On one of them, I also disassembled the window (removed the slider and the upright, plus the fixed glass pane). It’s relatively easy to do this. That one works like new, because I could clean it out much more thoroughly. But the quick fix gets you 90% of the way there. In either case, be ready with some paper towels or terry, etc. to catch water inside the boat as you wash/flush.
Cheers and good luck!
Ben
On Jun 22, 2026, at 08:25, Don Albanese via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
The sliding windows on my 2003 32' Tug are very difficult to open.
When we try to slide back the window, they tend to cock at a slant
instead of staying correctly aligned top to bottom. I presume this is
because the sliding felt at the bottom is worn out and not holding the
window straight. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and was
able to remedy it. I am hoping so! Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Don Albanese
2003 32' #228 Annie
Vermilion, Oh
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
Good call! I’m using that next time instead of soap!
b
On Jun 22, 2026, at 11:26, Dwight Hamilton via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
We have a 2003 32 nordic Tug and I could not get the windows open UNTIL someone on this site said that Simple green worked. And it does!! In no time we were in business!
Carol Hamilton
DECOY II
NT32 - 23l
<71t+yauwQIL.AC_SX679.jpg>
Sent from my iPad
On Jun 22, 2026, at 11:41, Ben McCafferty via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
Hey Don!
Not sure if the archives here are searchable, but definitely has been discussed. In our case, the problem was dirt/pollen/growth in the lower track. I spent some time with hot water, soap, toothbrushes, etc. and made a custom “tool” from a bamboo chopstick that would let me scrape all the way into the corners of the channels. This did pretty good, windows are useable again. On one of them, I also disassembled the window (removed the slider and the upright, plus the fixed glass pane). It’s relatively easy to do this. That one works like new, because I could clean it out much more thoroughly. But the quick fix gets you 90% of the way there. In either case, be ready with some paper towels or terry, etc. to catch water inside the boat as you wash/flush.
Cheers and good luck!
Ben
On Jun 22, 2026, at 08:25, Don Albanese via Sentoa sentoa@lists.sentoa.org wrote:
The sliding windows on my 2003 32' Tug are very difficult to open.
When we try to slide back the window, they tend to cock at a slant
instead of staying correctly aligned top to bottom. I presume this is
because the sliding felt at the bottom is worn out and not holding the
window straight. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and was
able to remedy it. I am hoping so! Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Don Albanese
2003 32' #228 Annie
Vermilion, Oh
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
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Hello Tuggers.
Our 1997 32-100 has two vertical lift windows that were sealed shut when we purchased it 15 years ago.
After the posting below I decided to see if I could open them.
The following worked for me.
I applied lots of liquid dish soap all around the frame and added a little water using a small spoon
to get it into the area. I then used a small brush and rubbed it around that area. It took a bit of the application
of water plus dishwashing liquid. After about 1 hour of leaving them I then lifted firmly and the windows opened.
I then cleaned the surrounding area and sprayed in some silicone lubricant.
Brian Dodsworth. MV Tanguer
From: "South East Nordic Tugs Owners' Association, SENTOA" sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To: "South East Nordic Tugs Owners' Association, SENTOA" sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
Cc: "Don Albanese" skipper41@gmail.com
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2026 8:25:14 AM
Subject: [Sentoa] Opening Sliding Windows.
The sliding windows on my 2003 32' Tug are very difficult to open.
When we try to slide back the window, they tend to cock at a slant
instead of staying correctly aligned top to bottom. I presume this is
because the sliding felt at the bottom is worn out and not holding the
window straight. I am wondering if anyone else had this issue and was
able to remedy it. I am hoping so! Thanks in advance for any guidance.
Don Albanese
2003 32' #228 Annie
Vermilion, Oh
Sentoa mailing list -- sentoa@lists.sentoa.org
To unsubscribe send an email to sentoa-leave@lists.sentoa.org