1987 O'day Windows

[AlastairLC]

My 1987 O'day 322 has black tinted plexiglass windows except for two panels on the starboard side and one on the port. These are white. (You can just see them in my avatar image.) My question is: did that model year come that way or did something happen to them? I'm trying to find out as I'm thinking of replacing them with black ones. Thanks.

 

[Pat]

I've sailed many times on an O'Day 302, and there are no white panels or hatches on the 302....I'm nearly certain the 322 is the same....You should call Rudy at D & R Marine to verify....his O'Day shop is in Assonet, Massachusetts...I assume you are not talking about the opening hatches...just the whole piece dark plexiglass hatches...good luck! Pat...my spell-check is going
crazy...Pat

 

[AlastairLC]

D&R has replacements only in black.

 

[Brian S]

I think that over time, the plexiglass chalks and whitens, as well as checks and cracks. I've never seen any pictures of these later model designs (with the futuristic cabin look) that have not looked like one big black window from a distance. A few years ago I went to Holden Beach, NC with friends for vacation. I was super excited driving to the house, as I went past a 192 sitting in the driveway in front of a house. ('Cos I have a 192.) I later talked to the guy, and he had the boat since he bought it new in '86. His windows were all faded and chalky looking and terrible. I'm very glad I took the trouble to replace mine a few years ago.

 

[Pat]

We bought our 272 LE new in 1986 and the hatches are all their original color, i.e. black...we've cleaned them at least once a year but they still look like new... our beckson opening port in the cockpit is white, but the other opening ports are all dark or black. Pat

 

[AlastairLC]

Thanks for the responses. What I can't figure out is why some windows are jet black and some are chalky white, with nothing in between. Maybe they all turned white and a prior owner replaced some with black? Weird!
The only thing I don't like about the black plexiglass is that it gets really hot in the Arizona sun. You can literally burn your hands on the companionway hatch slats!

 

[Tally Ho]

My 1988 O'Day 322 is pictured below. The windows are all black.

As noted above, D&R Marine has replacements.



Greg

 

[AlastairLC]

Thanks Greg. Yes, so far I have not been able to find any photos of O'days with any white windows. Maybe a prior owner thought they'd be cooler (?). Time to replace them with D&R's black ones I think.

 

[AlastairLC]

Turns out D&R can't make the doglegged aft windows anymore.
Has anyone removed these (to replace or reseal)?
The top portion isn't a window so I'm thinking of replacing just the side portion with a flat plexiglass panel and leaving the top exposed but I don't know yet what's under there.

 

[njlarry]

Almost any local glass and mirror place can make you a new fixed portlight using the old as a template. Lots of prior posts in the oday forum section. Good luck.

 

[AlastairLC]

My plexiglass guru says it would be next to impossible to get the bend just right so the two legs of the dogleg would fit flush.
If my experience with the forward windows holds true, the aft windows will break apart into small pieces when removed, hence no template.

 

[Pat]

the white hatch you are referring to....is it in the cockpit, or was used by O'day to create an opening port.?..my windows/hatches are all black except the white Beckson in the cockpit which is white....there are many specialty plastics, and glass companies in Wichita that work with the aircraft plants here in Wichita ......they have done wonders for me and my boat
hatches/ both plexiglass and lexan, as well as other materials....I think the shop I use is Aircraft Specialties. I'll run by the building at lunch and check on the actual name....very talented people make parts for all these aircraft of every size... They are also surprisingly happy to help .....Pat

 

[AlastairLC]

Thanks Pat. Here's what it looks like:

 

[Tally Ho]

Thanks Pat. Here's what it looks like:View attachment 139529

Did you add that portlight on the bulkhead? My 322 does not have one there. I do have one in the cockpit (low on the starboard side) that opens into the rear berth.

So D&R no longer carries the angled windows that wrap up over the head and rear berth? Too bad...I guess I better take good care of mine.

Greg

 

[AlastairLC]

Hey, Greg. I added that port recently. There were two round holes there where instruments used to be, plus a small cigarette lighter type hole. As my new instruments are wireless and at the helm, I decided to replace the three holes with a flush Lewmar port. It lets more light into the aft cabin.
I'm working on replacing the angled windows with two flat panels and some kind of molding in between. (Still don't know how mine turned white.)

 

[Tally Ho]

It looks nice.

 

[Apex]

some

Hey, Greg. I added that port recently. There were two round holes there where instruments used to be, plus a small cigarette lighter type hole. As my new instruments are wireless and at the helm, I decided to replace the three holes with a flush Lewmar port. It lets more light into the aft cabin.
I'm working on replacing the angled windows with two flat panels and some kind of molding in between. (Still don't know how mine turned white.)

someone likely used a solvent or harsh cleaner on the window.

 

[Mickstr]

Hey, Greg. I added that port recently. There were two round holes there where instruments used to be, plus a small cigarette lighter type hole. As my new instruments are wireless and at the helm, I decided to replace the three holes with a flush Lewmar port. It lets more light into the aft cabin.
I'm working on replacing the angled windows with two flat panels and some kind of molding in between. (Still don't know how mine turned white.)

Hey Alastair. Did you ever do something with the aft window? I'm currently working with Rudy to get a new one. His old supplier wasn't making them anymore. I sent him my own one to use as a template, but we're struggling to get the right bend..

 

[AlastairLC]

Hi Mickstr. I waited and waited for Rudi to come through on that (usually he’s pretty good). I finally gave up and had two pieces made for each window and joined at the angle. I’ll take a photo tomorrow and post it.

 

[AlastairLC]

Sorry. Forgot to take the photo today.
Shall try to remember to take it Thursday and post it then.