Need New Windows in Seattle

Sailin Dog

Sailin Dog

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Mar 24, 2013
21
Newport 33 Seattle
I'm the New proud owner of a 1984 Newport 33 (aft cabin model). She slices like a knife thru a breeze, but her fixed cabin windows leak like there is no tomorrow. Having spent the better part of the last few months "De-Funking" the mildew smell to 75% gone out of the cabin (read lots of air venting, bleach, and shellac on contaminated wood, with of course De-Hu's running 24/7 I want to have new fixed windows made for the cabin. I first contemplated re-embedding them, but the design seems not so great from the get go, and one of the worst offenders has been "jerry-sealed" more than a few times now. This of course had lead to the complete destruction of all the cabin cushions, but that is a project for "after" the windows are replaced. There are six fixed windows over all with 3 different configurations mirroring each Port and Starboard. Does anyone have a reasonably priced recommendation in the Seattle area to contract this with? I just need them built, as I'm confident I could do the install. But since Newport Yachts is out of business, I'm worried about a Grand Expense.

BTW I appreciate everyone's previous advice regarding a Dodger, I had mine done by a local Mom & Pop out of Enumclaw, WA. and it seems to have turned out nice.

Anyway, any help with the Windows before I do the cabin cushions would be much appreciated. Warm Winds and Fair Seas
 

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Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,641
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Carefully remove the existing windows and use them as a template. Any plexiglass shop will be able to make exact copies. I know Seattle will have several so shop around for a good price.
 
Sailin Dog

Sailin Dog

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Mar 24, 2013
21
Newport 33 Seattle
Its not so much the Windows I guess as it is the Frame and Seal thereof. do you think a plexi-glass shop could configure a proper housing for their window as well?
 
Sailin Dog

Sailin Dog

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Mar 24, 2013
21
Newport 33 Seattle
Kind of like buying a new opening Port Lite. I want something that is sealed in an exterior frame, with an Interior flange that can be tightened to it to make the seal with a little 4200 on the outside for encouragement but not making a permanent bond like 5200.
 
Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,641
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Sailin Dog said:
Its not so much the Windows I guess as it is the Frame and Seal thereof.
Click to expand
Sorry, I missed the white frames against the white cabin and they looked to be frameless.

If the port frames are in bad shape, I'm afraid your only solution would be to tear out the old ones and install new ports. You can find a large selection of ports here at the SBO store but finding a usable size may be a bit of a challenge.
 
Sailin Dog

Sailin Dog

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Mar 24, 2013
21
Newport 33 Seattle
Let Me back up a step. The white on white you see is the Tape I bought at Fisheries Supply in Seattle to keep the water out. Yes, they have frames, and a screw in flange on the inside to tighten things up. The shape of these frames will need a shop that can custom bend three different shapes to mirror each, with an adjustable flange on the inside for variable thickness between the 3 different locations. These are Non Operational Cabin Windows. The New Found Metals Port Lites are available at Fisheries and Online for Multiple Boat Dollars Each. While I fantasize about replacing the 4 Opening Port lites I have on the boat, these are the only windows that Don't Leak, and well I only paid 15k for the whole boat, and just recently added ( job finished today) a $3k Dodger, so Boat Dollars being what they are Im hoping to have all six windows with Non Opening flanged frames built at under $300 per to stay in budget. Am I being unrealistic? If so maybe I just take my time removing them and go to town carefully with the 4200.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
i made new ones out of lexan and used dow 795 to bed them the material cost was just at 300.00 make sure you get the uv protected lexan and don't leave any rough edges in the cutting ...you can get 795 in white and it will run anywhere from 6.50 and up per tube depending on who your vendor is ...it took aq little over 1/2 a 4x8 sheet to do them
 
CloudDiver

CloudDiver

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Sep 8, 2014
2,551
Catalina 22 Swing Keel San Diego
DO NOT use 4200! Many people who have leaking windows want to blame the adhesive/sealant for leaking windows. 99% of the time leaks are caused by installation error, a combo of using the wrong type of sealant and incorrect method of installation.

The type of window frame you have is virtually identical to the windows on my Catalina, and on numerous other makes/model boats of the 80's... No doubt they were all made in same factory in the 80's. You don't need new frames or glass. You just need to use the correct sealant and install them properly, in this case the correct sealant is butyl tape. You can buy that from MainSail's webpage and I also believe he has a good hot-to article on installation.

If you choose to do so, two nice upgrades you can make to the windows while they are disassembled; get the glass tinted at any auto-tint place (as dark of a limo-tint as they have), and you can get the aluminum window frames powder coated.

One of the most important thing you MUST do, which also a reason why windows leak when people fail to do this... You must effectively clean off all the old sealant, all of it, not a bit left. A great cleaner for removing adhesive residue of all types is Goof-Off liquid adhesive remove in the big bottle. Its mostly acetone but also has some xylene and MEK in it, but in small percentage of total formula it is not as harsh as those two full strength.

Sailin Dog said:
Let Me back up a step. The white on white you see is the Tape I bought at Fisheries Supply in Seattle to keep the water out. Yes, they have frames, and a screw in flange on the inside to tighten things up. The shape of these frames will need a shop that can custom bend three different shapes to mirror each, with an adjustable flange on the inside for variable thickness between the 3 different locations. These are Non Operational Cabin Windows. The New Found Metals Port Lites are available at Fisheries and Online for Multiple Boat Dollars Each. While I fantasize about replacing the 4 Opening Port lites I have on the boat, these are the only windows that Don't Leak, and well I only paid 15k for the whole boat, and just recently added ( job finished today) a $3k Dodger, so Boat Dollars being what they are Im hoping to have all six windows with Non Opening flanged frames built at under $300 per to stay in budget. Am I being unrealistic? If so maybe I just take my time removing them and go to town carefully with the 4200.
Click to expand
 
Ralph Johnstone

Ralph Johnstone

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Jan 4, 2006
7,641
Hunter 310 West Vancouver, B.C.
Sailin Dog said:
Im hoping to have all six windows with Non Opening flanged frames built at under $300 per to stay in budget. Am I being unrealistic?
Click to expand
I don't think you're going to find anyone who can fabricate frames at a reasonable cost if at all.

Sounds like you're best bet will be, as you've said, to remove the old frames as carefully as possible and reinstall. If they're still in good shape you should be as good as new frames.

Rather than 4200, consider using butyl rubber. Has much better adhesion and just better all 'round. Use plenty of heat (hair dryer) when installing as the frames are relatively weak and the butyl is a little firm when cold. Check out the applicatons in the archives.
 
Sailin Dog

Sailin Dog

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Mar 24, 2013
21
Newport 33 Seattle
Thank You All for the friendly advise. I did purchase new Butyl Tape at Fisheries Supply, and am staying away from the 4200 for this application. Also downloaded the Sail Magazine link. Appreciate everyone's input. Will post pics later this summer for the process.
Warm Winds and Fair Seas
 
Sailin Dog

Sailin Dog

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Mar 24, 2013
21
Newport 33 Seattle
McIntoshUSA said:
Does yours have that nice walk over steps on the stern? If you are not already a member here is a link for the Facebook Newport owners. I have a 1987 Newport 30
https://www.facebook.com/groups/860390570690157/
Click to expand
Dreaming of those stern steps , but nope, just a swing down ladder. Mine is the aft cabin version though with the Nav Station on a long drawer to position when needed. I don't use Facebook, so hope to link with other Sailors here.
Cheers!

Attaching a Pre-Dodger Stern shot pic. image (4).jpeg
 
McIntoshUSA

McIntoshUSA

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Jun 5, 2014
209
Capital Yacths Newport MKIII 30 Punta Gorda, Fl
My nav table is the same way. I would love to have those swim ladder steps myself. Nice boat.
 
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