side windows in a boat,

[hubris 1]

i want to remove the side windows in my blackfin and replace them. should i go with the frameless idea? alot of grinding and glass work, or is there a company that will make new frames with smoked out glass "non sliding" that can go back in same openings? trying to weigh the options. thanks.

[Capt.Troy Crane]

Hubris,
I am considering doing the same to my 35 Bertram, have a friend that works in one of the local boat shops and he is doing one on an older boat at this time. The wood built boats are a lot easier to do than the fiberglass rigs are that we have but he is going to give me some ideas. It will be late winter or early spring before I get going but I'll keep you informed as we go.

I do know that on the carolina boats all they do is build a frame around the glass and it is actually held in with a sealant, like phenoseal or something like it and it works well for them.

good luck,
Troy

[TROPHY SPORTFISHING]

Troy did mine a few years back and used ss track but put solid no sliding windows in then caulked the outside seam with black sikaflex no leaks in the past few years.

[Storm]

Diamond-Seaglaze makes superior quality aluminum framed windows. They are expensive but top quality. The company will need a tracing of your window cut-out. Turn around time from start to finish is at least a month as I recall.
The glass is manufactured in various thicknesses and various tints. If you can find a distributor in your area they will probably help you with sizing and any other decisions you might need to make. The windows clamp on so no drilling is necessary. Butyl tape is used to seal the frames. The tape comes in a coil and is commonly used for automobile windshields. You can buy the tape at Napa. The frames come in black or white and there are several paint choices. I think I have the basic white powder coating. Diamond-Seaglaze has a site on the web which might give you some ideas. Storm

[ShaneS]

Aluminum 2000 of Lancasrter PA does a great job. I have a set in my 33 Egg. Here is their web site. http://www.aluminum2000.com/ They are ight in your back yard.

[trollman]

Originally Posted by Storm

Diamond-Seaglaze makes superior quality aluminum framed windows. They are expensive but top quality. The company will need a tracing of your window cut-out. Turn around time from start to finish is at least a month as I recall.
The glass is manufactured in various thicknesses and various tints. If you can find a distributor in your area they will probably help you with sizing and any other decisions you might need to make. The windows clamp on so no drilling is necessary. Butyl tape is used to seal the frames. The tape comes in a coil and is commonly used for automobile windshields. You can buy the tape at Napa. The frames come in black or white and there are several paint choices. I think I have the basic white powder coating. Diamond-Seaglaze has a site on the web which might give you some ideas. Storm

hubris, i agree with Storm. diamond seaglaze is the Bomb. if you use SikaFlex caulking at all, as Trophy mentions, make sure you go with the type that has the UV protection, there are many different types of SikaFlex not all UV rated. actually, Ocean Yachts stopped using Sikaflex because of all the "bleeding" complaints by their owners and they now use a product mfgr'd by Bostik in massachusetts. i can get the name if you need it.

Trophy Sportfish, do you experience that black "bleeding" issue at all?

[hubris 1]

i located both company's. i like the fact that aluminum 2000 is in lancaster. i'm going to remove the old windows and take them out there. they both seem like pretty good products. thanks for the insight on the running of the silkaflex, ive seen that on boats.

[Wasabi]

American Marine down in south Florida made the original windows for the Blackfin. They still have the templates. I had a set of side windows made for mine with extra dark lexan. Mine are sliders but they make them both ways.

Cheers.

[Capt.Troy Crane]

WOW,
great info Hubris, thanks guys, i think i'll check them out also. Good luck on it and take some pics when you get going on it , i'd like to see them.

Jay, who cut your glass for you ????

Troy

[hubris 1]

i'm glad i asked. i'll let you know. by the way, where are you in the outer banks. i'm going to leave my boat in pirates cove next year for at least june july and a little august.