Does the rather large portholes makes the vega vulnerable in case of a knock down or if a wave crashes on the doghouse?would you recomand to reenforce for an north atlantic crossing?any idea?
vega2055
vega2055
portholes
- Thread starter patrice bissonnette
- Start date
I'd say yes, those windows are vulnerable. Ann Miller in her fateful Atlantic
crossing in a Vega was thrown over and did break one, flooding the interior and
causing more damage to engine, electronics, food, and everything else than you'd
ever want in the middle of the ocean.
I'm planning this too and would be interested in others' plans and ideas. I've
seen plans for bolting brackets into the cabintop to which heavy plywood storm
shutters can be attached when needed, but these are inelegant and make a lot of
holes in the fiberglass--and look ugly when the shutters are not in use. Anyone
found a good solution for the Vega?
Tom
V 1240 Allegro
patrice bissonnette wrote:
crossing in a Vega was thrown over and did break one, flooding the interior and
causing more damage to engine, electronics, food, and everything else than you'd
ever want in the middle of the ocean.
I'm planning this too and would be interested in others' plans and ideas. I've
seen plans for bolting brackets into the cabintop to which heavy plywood storm
shutters can be attached when needed, but these are inelegant and make a lot of
holes in the fiberglass--and look ugly when the shutters are not in use. Anyone
found a good solution for the Vega?
Tom
V 1240 Allegro
patrice bissonnette wrote:
Tom,
I have Anne's book as well and that part of the book is not funny.
Through Steve in the UK there are new stronger windows available with
aluminium frames, I am planning those in the future.
Steve, what is your opinion about those new windows, strong enough or
better to have storm shutters as well?
kind regards,
Rob
I have Anne's book as well and that part of the book is not funny.
Through Steve in the UK there are new stronger windows available with
aluminium frames, I am planning those in the future.
Steve, what is your opinion about those new windows, strong enough or
better to have storm shutters as well?
kind regards,
Rob
Can't remember who's boat I saw this on - 1/2 inch tinted plexiglass
cut slightly oversize and through-bolted on the outside with 1/4X20 SS
button heads and sealed appropriately. (Original glass windows
removed) Very strong, inexpensive and not too bad looking. You could
improve the looks with varnished teak framing or (Like on Lorna Doone)
custom made SS frames.
Then there is the straight forward apporach taken by those Wild
Vikings on Berserk - Plywood.
Chuck
cut slightly oversize and through-bolted on the outside with 1/4X20 SS
button heads and sealed appropriately. (Original glass windows
removed) Very strong, inexpensive and not too bad looking. You could
improve the looks with varnished teak framing or (Like on Lorna Doone)
custom made SS frames.
Then there is the straight forward apporach taken by those Wild
Vikings on Berserk - Plywood.
Chuck
Don't do it! The problem is thermal expansion. The ports are about 50 inches
long. The plastic epands and contracts as it heats and cools (as do all
materials) The fibreglas does also but to a different degree. This has
caused seals to shear and ports to leak. Drill holes have to be drilled
oversize top prevent cracking around the edges. It can be done but not in
the way you are proposing. If you're handy with tools and want to try I'll
be happy to write more on it. Plan on using Lexan instead of plexiglas. Its
about 20 times stronger. The other way is to contact Steve about the
replacement ports they sell. Walt, Lyic
long. The plastic epands and contracts as it heats and cools (as do all
materials) The fibreglas does also but to a different degree. This has
caused seals to shear and ports to leak. Drill holes have to be drilled
oversize top prevent cracking around the edges. It can be done but not in
the way you are proposing. If you're handy with tools and want to try I'll
be happy to write more on it. Plan on using Lexan instead of plexiglas. Its
about 20 times stronger. The other way is to contact Steve about the
replacement ports they sell. Walt, Lyic
Well, I can't be certain about the material used; could have been Lexan, or something else. I haven't tried it myself either but I was considering it. Thanks for the warning.
So back to Steve. Are your windows strong enough or should we look for a better solution?
Chuck
"walt/judy brown/allore" bestvega@... wrote:
So back to Steve. Are your windows strong enough or should we look for a better solution?
Chuck
"walt/judy brown/allore" bestvega@... wrote:
Our new boat "Tarka the Otter" has storm windows appled to the
outsides of the cabin trunk. You can barely see them in the picures
on my website.
On the profile image. There is a strip of plywood above and below the
rear windows. A plexiglass window storm window was then through
bolted. I can supply a better picture if required.
I am going to remove them for now as they are all glazed over and
cannot see through them.
Alan Critchlow V 1639
outsides of the cabin trunk. You can barely see them in the picures
on my website.
Tarka the Otter
www3.sympatico.ca
On the profile image. There is a strip of plywood above and below the
rear windows. A plexiglass window storm window was then through
bolted. I can supply a better picture if required.
I am going to remove them for now as they are all glazed over and
cannot see through them.
Alan Critchlow V 1639
Relay for Steve Birch:
Hi
Cant post to the Yahoo at the moment as I am in the workshop and using
different PC but can still read everything. Could you post the
following as an answer about the Vega Windows etc.
The new Aluminium Framed Vega windows are very tough indeed. The frame
is built in such a way to ensure the window frame is larger than the
hole thus it cant be pushed directly in like the Series 1 and Series 2
Vegas (Series 3 have glass slightly larger than the hole V3100 - 3450)
as their glass is actually smaller than the hole. This is the problem
that hit (literally) Anne Miller and Berserk when hit by an enourmous
wave. In the case of Berserk they even had plywood storm covers on
the outside with just a small opening for light but even this was
enough area to push the window staright in.
The new Vega Windows are made from even stronger glass, cannot be
pushed in due to the frame construction. I cannot vouch for how strong
they are as I dont want to actually go sailing in a hurricane if I can
avoid it but so far (touch wood) we have not had any push-ins. If I
intended to cross oceans and expected to encounter vary hard weather
then I would also add storm boards.
I hope this answer is OK but if anyone wants further information then
dont hesitate to contcat me at:
steve@...
Happy Christmas and fine sailing to allSteve birch VEga "Southern Comfort" V1703
Hi
Cant post to the Yahoo at the moment as I am in the workshop and using
different PC but can still read everything. Could you post the
following as an answer about the Vega Windows etc.
The new Aluminium Framed Vega windows are very tough indeed. The frame
is built in such a way to ensure the window frame is larger than the
hole thus it cant be pushed directly in like the Series 1 and Series 2
Vegas (Series 3 have glass slightly larger than the hole V3100 - 3450)
as their glass is actually smaller than the hole. This is the problem
that hit (literally) Anne Miller and Berserk when hit by an enourmous
wave. In the case of Berserk they even had plywood storm covers on
the outside with just a small opening for light but even this was
enough area to push the window staright in.
The new Vega Windows are made from even stronger glass, cannot be
pushed in due to the frame construction. I cannot vouch for how strong
they are as I dont want to actually go sailing in a hurricane if I can
avoid it but so far (touch wood) we have not had any push-ins. If I
intended to cross oceans and expected to encounter vary hard weather
then I would also add storm boards.
I hope this answer is OK but if anyone wants further information then
dont hesitate to contcat me at:
steve@...
Happy Christmas and fine sailing to allSteve birch VEga "Southern Comfort" V1703