I am looking to buy a 322 and the windows are all covered with a white haze. Does anyone have suggestions on how to replace the windows, especially the 2 that bend on each side of the companionway? Are there replacement parts available? Is there a company that can manufacture these windows? Thanks. I am not going to purchase the boat until I can verify that I can indeed replace these windows. thanks, Alan
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Check locally
Alan, If Rudy can't help out, then it might be worthwhile to see if there's a local supplier of Lexan products who can fabricate new windows using the old curved ones as templates. It'd be a damn shame if your purchase of a 322 fell through over the window issue. It's one fine boat, and you'd be very happy sailing her. Pete s/v EmmieLou (O-322) Little Silver, NJ
Alan, If Rudy can't help out, then it might be worthwhile to see if there's a local supplier of Lexan products who can fabricate new windows using the old curved ones as templates. It'd be a damn shame if your purchase of a 322 fell through over the window issue. It's one fine boat, and you'd be very happy sailing her. Pete s/v EmmieLou (O-322) Little Silver, NJ
Pledge?
Have you tried cleaning them with Pledge? (yes the household furniture polish) You may not have to replace them. Ed K
Have you tried cleaning them with Pledge? (yes the household furniture polish) You may not have to replace them. Ed K
322 Windows
Alan, One of my friends just bought an 86 O'Day 272 with windows in that condition. That 322 is a nice boat. I remember going inside the 322 at the Boston Boat Show when they first came out, and was amazed at how spacious the head area was in this boat which included a shower. One of the salesmen at the marine dealership where I bought my O'Day through at the show, also bought a 322, and he loved this boat. If the Pledge doesn't work for you, Pete's suggestion is a very good one. I had a broken lens on my forward hatch and I went to a nearby factory that had the lexan and he cut it for me while I was there. I only had to use an adhesive on my lens, but someone on this forum pointed out not too long ago, that if you intend to screw the window to your openings, you should make the screw holes a fraction wider, or the Lexan will crack due to temperature changes. Mine are held on with wood screws, and thank God, I've had no cracks, but I have seen some O'Day boats with similar windows and cracks at the screw holes. It's worth the effort and this boat is too good to pass up if the rest of it is in good shape. Joe
Alan, One of my friends just bought an 86 O'Day 272 with windows in that condition. That 322 is a nice boat. I remember going inside the 322 at the Boston Boat Show when they first came out, and was amazed at how spacious the head area was in this boat which included a shower. One of the salesmen at the marine dealership where I bought my O'Day through at the show, also bought a 322, and he loved this boat. If the Pledge doesn't work for you, Pete's suggestion is a very good one. I had a broken lens on my forward hatch and I went to a nearby factory that had the lexan and he cut it for me while I was there. I only had to use an adhesive on my lens, but someone on this forum pointed out not too long ago, that if you intend to screw the window to your openings, you should make the screw holes a fraction wider, or the Lexan will crack due to temperature changes. Mine are held on with wood screws, and thank God, I've had no cracks, but I have seen some O'Day boats with similar windows and cracks at the screw holes. It's worth the effort and this boat is too good to pass up if the rest of it is in good shape. Joe
Windows -Try a little 'elbow grease'
Window replacement on the 322 is a do-able job, but having done same on an O'Day 240, I recommend that you initially attempt to polish off the fog/haze.(I believe that the windows on the 240 were the largest one-piece-ers that O'Day used, and were pushing the limits of expansion and contraction of the plexiglas - fiberglass interface. The only reason that I chose replacement over buffing, was that the window on my boat developed a large crack.) If you do decide to replace the window, be sure to use special drill bits, made for plexiglass, to drill mounting holes, else the holes will chip and develop cracks leading to failure. The bits are available from US Plastics. (See link below.) There may be other sources. Also, I've heard that, in a pinch, a dulled normal drill bit could be used, but why risk it?
Window replacement on the 322 is a do-able job, but having done same on an O'Day 240, I recommend that you initially attempt to polish off the fog/haze.(I believe that the windows on the 240 were the largest one-piece-ers that O'Day used, and were pushing the limits of expansion and contraction of the plexiglas - fiberglass interface. The only reason that I chose replacement over buffing, was that the window on my boat developed a large crack.) If you do decide to replace the window, be sure to use special drill bits, made for plexiglass, to drill mounting holes, else the holes will chip and develop cracks leading to failure. The bits are available from US Plastics. (See link below.) There may be other sources. Also, I've heard that, in a pinch, a dulled normal drill bit could be used, but why risk it?
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