Cruising Concepts Windows

[foolproof]

Hello All:

Recently I asked on the Catalina 30 forum if anyone had dimensions of the windows in a 1976 C30, as I wanted to make some curtains. No one had the dimensions I was looking for, so I called Mike at Cruising Concepts to see if he could help.

Mike took the time to actually get on his computer and look up the dimensions that I was looking for. It was about three years ago when I bought my windows, and he remembered me! I told him that I absolutely love the windows in my boat. I replaced the leaky, original aluminum frame windows because A) they leaked horribly and B) I wanted a more modern look.

The new windows did everything I wanted. They look awesome and everyone at my marina complements the boat...they say it looks like a much newer boat than it is. The best part, though, is that they don't leak! I know there are ways to seal the aluminum frame windows, but I really like the way the new windows look and fit.

At any rate, I guess this post has turned into a testimonial. Cruising Concepts sells all manner of cool stuff for our boats, and the quality is top notch. I wish I could buy it all now, but will have to pace myself for now.

Attached is a picture of my 1976 Catalina 30 showing off the Cruising Concepts windows.

 

[jrowan]

Your newer sails also make your boat look a lot younger / newer & well kept too.
If I were to spend a lot of money on an older Catalina (which I have done so 3 times)
I would first put the money into new sails. This makes the biggest improvement on performance by far. You can only do so much with old, worn out sails. Stained canvas doesn't do much for looks either.
I also know that the original glass ports that Catalina uses get a bad rap,
but I must say that they are in general a heck of a lot more durable then their Lexan or plexiglass counterparts. I've had boats with both and every yacht I ever owned that came with Lexan were always cracked in the center due to flexing, shrinkage & temperature / UV damage. Glass windows can always be caulked, over & over again when necessary.
Cracked plexi can only be replaced in order to keep the weather out. Mine don't leak (much!) & I tinted ours for privacy & it gives the boat a more modern blacked out porthole appearance without the expennse of replacement. However I did replace the forward ports to operable ones for better ventilation. The Lewmars are a great improvement & add a touch of big boat class. I don't believe that the Cruising Concepts forward ports are operable? That is a real drawback for something so expensive as repacement ports.
If I were to replace the cabin ports I think that I would spring for operable ports as they add so much more valuable ventilation that you can't get too much of. Let us know in a few years if your ports ever crack as I'd love to know their long term reliablity after years of wear.

 

[foolproof]

So far three years and holding up well. The boat was on a stand for two of those, and this season sailing. I'll keep you up to date.

 

[jrowan]

Do your forward ports open / operate, or are they fixed?
I was also wondering if you have ever replaced you bowsprit?
I know that many others have replaced the sprit as it has to endure a ton of stress
from the forestay, etc.

 

[foolproof]

All of the windows are fixed. I could buy an opening port for the head, but so far haven't.

As far as I can tell, my bow sprit is original. When I re-did the boat I sanded down to good wood, and found it to be in great shape. I refinished it and put it back on, and looks good so far. I know that tension is important, so I was careful setting up the stays correctly.

 

[Lost Parent]

Do your forward ports open / operate, or are they fixed?
I was also wondering if you have ever replaced you bowsprit?
I know that many others have replaced the sprit as it has to endure a ton of stress
from the forestay, etc.

I got the two front opening window and they made a big difference but the are windows mfg by someone else and then cut into Cruising Concepts Windows
If I installed all these windows again i would drill a small hole in each end and then screw the window into place and then remove the screws and seal the holes after about a week , withe the cabin top on such a curve the windows did not want to stick in place on two of them and I had to redoe them , but they are great windows , vey happy:dance:

 

[foolproof]

I'm with you, Lost Parent. If I were to do it again I would use a screw in each corner to hold the window down flush with the skin, but I would leave the screws in and seal them after a day or two.

Who made your opening ports, and how much were they? I might be interested if the price is right!

 

[Lost Parent]

Got them from Cruising Concepts when I got my windows

 

[jrowan]

Guys I would be VERY wary of drilling into any type of Lexan or plexiglass type material. We replaced all of the original ports in our family's O'Day 34 years back because they cracked. After having the ports custom made in new Lexan (expensive) they cracked again within a year due to hull & deck natural flexing. Any cracks appeared right where the screw holes were located. The screws create uneven stress points in the material that will cause a future stress fracture, kinda like a fault line along the screw holes. I would stick to using foam tape or adhesive glues to affix the plastic lense to the opening, if you want them to last. This is why I like glass portholes. I think they're a lot more durable in the long haul. My 2 cents worth.