New Windows

[jeffmacdonald]

My name is Jeff from Tampa FL and I purchased windows from Cruising Concepts which is a vendor on this website. I got to tell you that this mod has transformed my boats look and stopped the leaks. I cant tell you for how long but they do look great. I am not advertising but I did want to share my experience. The guy wow I bought these from is a real nice guy who is very helpful. I took a couple of pics with my BB and thought I would share. The quality isn't great but imagine the inside without the aluminum trim and just a little color matched trim ring, it opened the cabin up so much. I do have the old windows if there are any takers. They are just heavy and will be costly to ship. Thanks for letting me share my accomplishment. The website for the windows is http://www.cruisingconcepts.com/contact.htm call him, he's a real nice guy. Jeff

 

[Stu Jackson]

Man, nice job! I wonder how long it will take Hermit to figure out he shoulda done this instead of closing up his fixed porltights.

 

[foolproof]

Glad to hear from a window installer

I have the window kit in the garage. I still have some work to do, like removing the old windows, re-painting around the windows (I'm painting the entire boat), then installing the windows. I initially wanted to machine in a relief so that the windows would fit flush, but gave up on that idea because of how extremely difficult it would be to do right. My questions to you: do the windows look OK glued to the outside of the boat, not fitting flush? Do they look like a newer boat up close? How well did your kit fit i.e. did you have to do a lot of trimming of the openings to make the trim pieces fit?

Looking forward to getting done and on the water!

Mike

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Not At All no trimming at all! The plexi overlaps the actual hole size by about an inch all the way around (margin of error). The windows are beveled around the perimeter. Like you I wanted to be inset but the work I don't think would offset the gain. When I removed the old windows I took the opportunity to quickly wet sand that area that runs the distance on both sides. Like you I plan on painting the deck so I wet sanded now. It looks like all I have to do is buff the area and its as good as new! These laid in my garage for about 8 months because I thought it would be daunting. I did these in my slip. Removed one side 1st evening after work, cleaned all residue with Goof Off then I laid windows back in hole. 2nd night I wet sanded entire starboard side placed windows back in holes. 3rd night I placed blue painters tape around area to be caulked (don't forget to clean area well with alcohol provided in kit. By Saturday morning placed all windows in about 1 hour. Repeat steps for Port side. Follow the directions you cant go wrong, your wife or buddy makes things go quicker if they help. I had fun and I am reaping the rewards of a great looking boat. Good luck and call me if I can help further 813-309-8803. Jeff The hardest part is getting started! Cliché isn't it!

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Thanks Stu, it was a great time doing these. I wish I had pics of the inside . If you like the outside you would love the inside.

 

[D.Henk]

Question:

My name is Jeff from Tampa FL and I purchased windows from Cruising Concepts which is a vendor on this website. I got to tell you that this mod has transformed my boats look and stopped the leaks. I cant tell you for how long but they do look great. I am not advertising but I did want to share my experience. The guy wow I bought these from is a real nice guy who is very helpful. I took a couple of pics with my BB and thought I would share. The quality isn't great but imagine the inside without the aluminum trim and just a little color matched trim ring, it opened the cabin up so much. I do have the old windows if there are any takers. They are just heavy and will be costly to ship. Thanks for letting me share my accomplishment. The website for the windows is http://www.cruisingconcepts.com/contact.htm call him, he's a real nice guy. Jeff

Did you find any rot on the cabin sides if si what did you do about it.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

No rot, just a little delamination or separation. Figured it wasn't bad enough to worry about and it would get no worse because I have now sealed it. I thought about gluing and clamping overnight but the trim ring in the kit covers all the imperfections of the hole.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Heres a look from the inside (note how open this looks now)! Again done with a black berry probably not the best quality photos. Note the pleated blinds I purchased on this website as well. Installed last night after work. Easy to install but a bit spendy.

 

[glenn and Ina hanson]

Jeff , I was wondering if you still like your new windows and how were they to install? Thanks, Glenn

 

[Twice Around]

Jeff, i am wondering if you still have your old windows and if you still want to send them off. A few pics to see if they are in any better shape than mine before I pay for shipping would be great!

 

[jeffmacdonald]

To both of the above posts, I love my new windows with no regrets and lots of compliments and it was easy to install! The guy who sold them to me was very helpful (see above link). As for the old ones, I put them out there for about 3 months with no takers untill my wife told me to get rid of them so I took the glass out and got money for them at the aluminum recycling center. I won my first race last weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[foolproof]

I finally got mine installed, and like you, was surprised at how easy it was! With the decks, cockpit and hull finally painted, it looks like a much newer boat now...very clean looking, even from up close. I really love the tinted glass too. Helps keep the sun at bay, and the interior seems to stay much cooler. Definitely a thumbs up!

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Send some pic's! I am getting ready to paint the deck this winter (Florida Winter). I think i will do the hull next year. Any tips and paint choice would be appreciated. Jeff

 

[foolproof]

I used Interlux Perfection for all exterior surfaces. It's a 2 part Polyeurethane that is supposed to wear like iron and have good UV inhibitors as well. I used Mediterranean White for the hull and smooth surfaces, and Matterhorn White for the anti-skid areas, and the contrast is just right for my tastes. The pictures are in-progress pics, so just the coach roof is painted. I will upload more pictures when I can, but you will get the idea from the ones I have posted here.

 

[foolproof]

Here's a couple that actually show the windows.

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Beutiful job! It looks like so much work though. Everything has to come off dosnt it? I guess thats what you have to do to get it to look like that! Did you wet sand everything first. Did you tackle one thing at a time or did you just prep the whole boat then paint the 2 colors in sucsession. How long did the whole process take? I love the windows they look great, good job! Thanks'

 

[foolproof]

I stripped all of the deck hardware off, and re-poured every single thru deck hole with thickened epoxy. I also had to fix a couple areas of delamination and some cracking. I sanded all of the smooth areas, wiped everything down with acetone, then painted the bright white parts. Then, I scrubbed all of the anti-skid areas with dish soap, and rinsed well. I next masked off around the anti-skid areas, and wiped down with acetone again. After that it was a simple matter of painting the gray (actually Matterhorn White). I pulled the tape while the paint was still tacky, and the edges flowed out pretty good afterwards. Incidentally, the Interlux Perfection paint did pretty well, needing only 2 coats of Mediterranian White, and one good thick coat of the gray. I painted everything with a roller, and didn't need to tip off any of it...the lighter shades of Perfection flow out pretty well by themselves. The windows went on after the new paint, so there was no masking involved.

If you're going to paint, I recommend going the distance and pulling all of the hardware, filling all of the holes, etc. It's a great chance to look for and correct any wet core areas, as well as to re-bed all of the deck hardware and fittings.

Good luck and have fun! You will be more than happy with the results you get!

 

[foolproof]

Here are a few pictures I took today of the painted boat. It's not perfect, but it is butt tons better than it was! Notice the port to the left of the hatchway...that is my way of filling extra instrument holes!

 

[jeffmacdonald]

Looks great bro! Like the idea of the port. It was hard to find another round anemometer after my old one died. They all to seam to be going square but my persistence prevailed. I was wondering what I was going to do about the hole, that would have been a good solution if i was unable to find it. Boat looks great, it also looks like alot of work! I noticed the can of energy drink there, thats how you get stuff like that done! I really want to do the deck while she is in the water after Christmass. Thanks for all the info.

 

[joefusa]

looks really great. i notice that you put in a port into the quarter berth as well as the one above the galley. i've always thought about that but was concerned it was a really major job. how easy/difficult was it? was one more difficult that the other? would you do it again based on what you know, forgetting the advantage of having extra available light and air?