1984 Hunter 31 - Need Help Installing new Windows

[anelso29]

Hi everyone,

I am a first-time boat owner and recently purchased a 1984 Hunter 31. I have her on land in the Chesapeake in MD.

I need to replace the plexiglass and frames for the Port and Starboard main porthole/windows. As seen in the images posted below, there are significant cracks, so they need to go.

I need help with figuring out who I need to reach out to purchase new plexiglass. OR if there are any other Hunter owners out there who may have some spare windows. I appreciate any help and guidance here I can get.

 

[sail sfbay]

Congrats on your new sailboat!!

Do a search on this forum on "replacing fixed portlights" and you will find plenty of threads on this subject like Advice on replacing crazed and cracked portside fixed portlight on Catalina 310. You can purchase replacement lens from you local retail plastics supplier or online supplier like Taps Plastic.

 

[anelso29]

Congrats on your new sailboat!!

Do a search on this forum on "replacing fixed portlights" and you will find plenty of threads on this subject like Advice on replacing crazed and cracked portside fixed portlight on Catalina 310. You can purchase replacement lens from you local retail plastics supplier like Taps Plastic.

Thank you so much!

 

[kloudie1]

Those aren’t the original ones. The windows have too many screws and were tightened too much. I suggest new plexi mounted with 3M VHB tape and perimeter sealed with 795. No screws .. The prep work is really important to do and the cabin side and plexi should be primed with 3M #94 . I did mine a year ago and they are fine.
congratulations on the boat.

 

[anelso29]

Those aren’t the original ones. The windows have too many screws and were tightened too much. I suggest new plexi mounted with 3M VHB tape and perimeter sealed with 795. No screws .. The prep work is really important to do and the cabin side and plexi should be primed with 3M #94 . I did mine a year ago and they are fine.
congratulations on the boat.

This is great advice and guidance. I really appreciate it! I just need to find a place to order the new plexiglass from. Thank you!

 

[HMT2]

I had a local window shop cut mine by matching the plexiglass when I took one off

 

[Capt Robbie]

Those are not original
If the frames are still good you can try tap plastics they fabricated lots of miscellaneous items over the years and reasonable prices.
The original windows where made by mark plastics, however I believe they are out of business. I don’t think they could have helped you anyway because the previous owners modified the openings. The original windows had a tapered forward section and the end was squared. Similar to the h34 widows. I replaced mine about nine years ago and mark plastics used tempered clear glass instead of acrylic. Acrylic and plexiglass will scratch and dull over time vs glass is more durable, however the only big downside is that it can shatter. Anyway it’s worked well for me and other boats have used tempered glass for years.
Hopefully this helps

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Call the forum store and see if they have a copy of your build list for the boat. Hunter use screws temporarily until the Dow 795 cured and then backed the screws out filling back with 795. I have seen boats where left in but the hole was much larger than the screws except for the head to allow for the window to allow for expansion or shrinkage depending on the weather. With the screws you cannot over tightened.
@kloudie1 gave good advice. Former Hunter employee owns this site

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

Hunter use screws temporarily until the Dow 795 cured and then backed the screws out filling back with 795.

Thanks for bringing this up once again, Dave. There seems to be a plethora of people who are dead set against using screws as a temporary means of holding the acrylic in place until it sets, sometimes for a period of months given the width of the seating ledge.

The results are near invisible when the holes are sealed with 795 as shown:

And when you compare using screws to this insane offering (start at (g)) from someone claiming to be a associated with Catalina:

.............. this really shows what drugs can do to your brain .

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I was a Catalina dealer to. Some did screws temporarily too as I showed them. No comment on the above as I knew everyone at that plant

 

[jmce1587]

The original fixed windows were made by Mark Plastics in Corona, Ca. Google the contact info. They don’t have much of a website. On my 84 H31 the fixed windows were encased in a frame that followed the angular point On the exterior hull. Yours don’t look like original so you more than likely can remove frame, replace port and use the tape ment above by Kloudie. Another H31 owner in the site, “Northshore“ recently redid his ports. Suggest sending him a PM and he can provide details. His came out really nice and look similar to yours.

 

[mjsb]

I replaced the sidelights on my H31 circa 87, I had a shop here in Tampa copy the units. Installed with 3M VHB tape and Dow 795. All is good again.
I also reshaped the interior rectangle to follow the triangular exterior. Either way a suggestion would be to oversize the new polycarbonate by 1" in both horizontal and vertical this would allow for a more full surface to install 1" tape, have the poly sealed by heat on the edge and then 795. I have no screws showing on the inside I have used PVC trim to complete the job.
I also foamed the area on the side wall around these units that had shown signs of rotting, I cleaned out as much of the damaged plywood as a 1/2" spade bit and a right angled drill would allow. It's now tight no leaks.
Did the same with all of the side lights, after removing the port lights. Used Sika Flex to install the lights, it's a urethane caulk, better than silicone as the silicone doesn't like the sun.

 

[anelso29]

Hi everyone!

So sorry for the delay here. I am very thankful for all of the help with this issue! I think I have a resolution now.

I will be getting new windows from Maritime Plastics & Fabrication out of Annapolis. Small shop but reasonably priced. I will NOT be screwing the new windows. Before doing anything, I will ensure I have the proper tools and materials to get a water-tight seal between the new plexiglass and the boat hull.

 

[anelso29]

The original fixed windows were made by Mark Plastics in Corona, Ca. Google the contact info. They don’t have much of a website. On my 84 H31 the fixed windows were encased in a frame that followed the angular point On the exterior hull. Yours don’t look like original so you more than likely can remove frame, replace port and use the tape ment above by Kloudie. Another H31 owner in the site, “Northshore“ recently redid his ports. Suggest sending him a PM and he can provide details. His came out really nice and look similar to yours.

This is good info! Thank you for providing this.