Pilothouse Windows

stevensibs · Mar 23, 2012

I have the daunting task of removing every window on our trawler; 3 pilothouse windows, 8 salon windows, and 6 aft cabin windows. All have safety glass in great shape, some have sliders with screens. The aluminum frames are mill finish, not too bad shape, and all windows have this beige (probably used to be white) vinyl trim around the perimeter of the frames which needs to be replaced. It's sagging and brittle. I would like to find a vendor who could re-do these window, possible powdercoat or anodize the frames, re-seal the glass and replace the vinyl trim. I can ship them anywhere. Any ideas?

Steve

stevensibs · Mar 29, 2012

Well, things can change rapidly in boat rebuilding. I am scrapping every window on the boat because I have found a manufacturer of marine windows that will provide me with brand new ones with 1/4" safety glass, anodized frames, sliders with screens on some, and the whole cost is less than my budget for refurbishing them all! Not to mention that it took me nearly 2 hours to remove only ONE window, being careful not to to damage them (for refurbishment). Now I can beat them out.

My question is: For the 6 windows in the main salon...tinted or clear? What are on your boats? I figured clear for the pilothouse windows for night vision, but tinting on the rest? And how dark? Solar Grey and Graylite 14 are two choices. Any input will be appreciated.

psneeld · Mar 29, 2012

I would tint all but the front pilothouse and maybe any wing windows you have. Not sure of your tints but up to a medium would be OK with me...especially if you spend more time down south than up north.

What is the window manufacturer as I am about to do 13 windows myself?

Salty Bear II · Mar 29, 2012

I've found a manufacturer for windows in BC. They've done a lot of trawlers and RV's. I was pleasantly surprised with how reasonably priced the were.

psneeld · Mar 29, 2012

Salty Bear II said:
I've found a manufacturer for windows in BC. They've done a lot of trawlers and RV's. I was pleasantly surprised with how reasonably priced the were.

Is the name a secret?

Salty Bear II · Mar 29, 2012

The name of the company is Sunview Industries Ltd in Summerland, British Colombia, Canada. They'll ship all over the place.

BruceK · Mar 29, 2012

Having aluminum windows remade is a good,and economical, solution. You`ll spend as much reviving the old ones, and still have old ones. Give the manufacturer an accurate template in cardboard or light ply to work from,that probably means removing and replacing the old ones pending delivery to keep the openings sealed. BruceK

psneeld · Mar 30, 2012

Salty Bear II said:
The name of the company is Sunview Industries Ltd in Summerland, British Colombia, Canada. They'll ship all over the place.

Thanks!

stevensibs · Mar 31, 2012

The company I'm using is Wynne Enterprises, Inc. Tuscumbia, AL 256-383-5040 http://www.wynneinc.com/
For example, one of my 24" x 30" salon windows with anodized aluminum frame and clamp ring, safety glass, fixed pane no screen is 144.03. Tinting is a little extra. My budget for all the windows on this boat was just cut in half!

markpierce · Mar 31, 2012

psneeld said:
I would tint all but the front pilothouse and maybe any wing windows you have. Not sure of your tints but up to a medium would be OK with me...especially if you spend more time down south than up north.

What is the window manufacturer as I am about to do 13 windows myself?

I prefer 360-degree viewing as unrestricted as practical. The only window tinting in my pilothouse is the hatch on the roof.

stevensibs · Mar 31, 2012

Cool boat from what I can see. Are you ever in southern latitudes, and if so, do you feel you need UV protection for fabrics, wood, etc.?
Steve

markpierce · Mar 31, 2012

Southern latitudes are too hot for me, but there are curtains for all 11 pilothouse windows except for the three front ones.

I use the transparent pilothouse roof hatch to check sail trim and examine the undersides of bridges from the interior comfort of the pilothouse.

psneeld · Mar 31, 2012

markpierce said:
I prefer 360-degree viewing as unrestricted as practical. The only window tinting in my pilothouse is the hatch on the roof.

To each their own... I think most cars come with tint every place but the windshield...(at least where I've been lately)...

Cars do 80 down the highway in all sorts of weather and lighting.. I cruise at 6.5 knots ....generally during the day and in fair weather... soooo...light to medium tinting is no challenge for me to see all around

Carey · Mar 31, 2012

Tint or not

stevensibs said:
Well, things can change rapidly in boat rebuilding. I am scrapping every window on the boat because I have found a manufacturer of marine windows that will provide me with brand new ones with 1/4" safety glass, anodized frames, sliders with screens on some, and the whole cost is less than my budget for refurbishing them all! Not to mention that it took me nearly 2 hours to remove only ONE window, being careful not to to damage them (for refurbishment). Now I can beat them out.

My question is: For the 6 windows in the main salon...tinted or clear? What are on your boats? I figured clear for the pilothouse windows for night vision, but tinting on the rest? And how dark? Solar Grey and Graylite 14 are two choices. Any input will be appreciated.

That's a tough decision. I say tint if you are in a hot climate. However, I would really want clear for natural colors of the scenery, given that we run from inside 95% of the time. Northwest gales, sleet, and other horrific weather of the NW being what they are.

FF · Apr 1, 2012

"I say tint if you are in a hot climate."

GREAT !!! If you like to be broiled , or run the noisemaker and air cond even more.

Tinted windows get HOT , that solar energy has to go someplace, and the glass will radiate the extra energy into the boat.

Easier on your eyes , for sure , but not on your body.

The reflective films , like a movie cracker sheriff sun glasses , can be applied and removed as required.

FF

psneeld · Apr 1, 2012

Solar tint treatments can be added to an existing window pane or purchased, pre-made from the window manufacturer. These treatments are designed to maintain a window's natural visibility while maximizing the effects from solar lighting, according to the National Research Council Canada. Hot climates and cold climates may require different tint treatments due to how the Sun interacts within the environment. Homes situated in hot climate areas may benefit from low solar heat gain tints to reduce the amount of heat that moves through windows. High solar heat gain tints prevent interior heat from escaping, which may be more suiting for colder climates.

Just make sure you are getting the correct window tint (high or low gain)...but I think most tints for vehicle applications are low anyway. The heat isn't allowed to transfer in and is radiated back outside.

stevensibs · Apr 1, 2012

Thank you all, for the good advice. I still have some time to decide whether to tint or not as I have only just sent the company the templates. This is a tough one, obviously a major decision because we'll be stuck with it for years, cruising in and outside, north and south. The hatches and windows on our sportfish are all tinted, but I never really paid them any mind. Boating in Massachusetts is hardly the tropics. Love your pilothouse pic, Mark!

psneeld · Apr 1, 2012

stevensibs said:
Thank you all, for the good advice. I still have some time to decide whether to tint or not as I have only just sent the company the templates. This is a tough one, obviously a major decision because we'll be stuck with it for years, cruising in and outside, north and south. The hatches and windows on our sportfish are all tinted, but I never really paid them any mind. Boating in Massachusetts is hardly the tropics. Love your pilothouse pic, Mark!

Look around at cars...plenty of them and all different tint shades....sit in them day and night...I think you will be amazed what you like and don't...

RT Firefly · Apr 1, 2012

Greetings,
Mr. stevensibs. One option that has been alluded to is to purchase the new windows untinted and if you feel you need a tint in the future you can add it to your new windows with the appropriately rated system that Mr. psneeld noted.

stevensibs · Apr 1, 2012

You are right! Never thought of that.....

psneeld · Apr 1, 2012

stevensibs said:
You are right! Never thought of that.....

Yes but I'd much rather have tinted glass than a film or spray.

CPseudonym · Apr 1, 2012

RT Firefly said:
Greetings,
Mr. stevensibs. One option that has been alluded to is to purchase the new windows untinted and if you feel you need a tint in the future you can add it to your new windows with the appropriately rated system that Mr. psneeld noted.

I hired a 23 year old neighbor boy to tint the windows and install a stereo in my older truck. He enjoyed getting paid for something he considered fun to do(I find it frustrating). Some kids in this age group are remarkably well skilled and take great pride in window tinting and stereo installation. Check their previous work first of course, no different than any other hired labor.

RT Firefly · Apr 1, 2012

Greetings,
Mr. psneeld. You raise a valid point. Films or sprays will never equal the quality or longevity of a factory tint but the former mentioned items give one the option of de-tinting if desired.

psneeld · Apr 1, 2012

CPseudonym said:
I hired a 23 year old neighbor boy to tint the windows and install a stereo in my older truck. He enjoyed getting paid for something he considered fun to do(I find it frustrating). Some kids in this age group are remarkably well skilled and take great pride in window tinting and stereo installation. Check their previous work first of course, no different than any other hired labor.

It's not about quality of work...I've seen too many film applications that fail way too quickly...don't know much about the spray on though.

Still...if I could order factory tinted glass up front and that's what I want...I would think that's the way to go.

CPseudonym · Apr 1, 2012

psneeld said:
It's not about quality of work...I've seen too many film applications that fail way too quickly...don't know much about the spray on though.

Still...if I could order factory tinted glass up front and that's what I want...I would think that's the way to go.

I couldn't agree more with most of your statement. Just offering an outside the box solution for those that may benefit from it. The primary reason most tint jobs fail prematurely is improper installation technique. The kid I mentioned has been doing his and friends cars frequently since his early teens. He uses the money from these side jobs to put himself through college. Currently working on his Masters.

psneeld · Apr 1, 2012

CPseudonym said:
I couldn't agree more with most of your statement. Just offering an outside the box solution for those that may benefit from it. The primary reason most tint jobs fail prematurely is improper installation technique. The kid I mentioned has been doing his and friends cars frequently since his early teens. He uses the money from these side jobs to put himself through college. Currently working on his Masters.

Around boats I would disagree with the "improper install". My experience is that it gets scratched a lot due to it's location. People and objects are constantly rubbing up against it as they walk/carry stuff by.

C lectric · Apr 1, 2012

The tint films I've seen are installed on the inside of the glass so are somewhat protected from damage unless inside cleaning is rough.
Be carefull about tinting. A lot of people refer to it as smoke but tinting can be many different colours; greyish, greenish, bronze and so on.

Why not talk to the windown builder. They may have some recommendations about tinting, the depth of tint and so on. A grey tint will reduce heat and brightness without changing the colour of outside object. The other tints will definitely affect colour observation and not always to the good.

psneeld · Apr 1, 2012

C lectric said:
The tint films I've seen are installed on the inside of the glass so are somewhat protected from damage unless inside cleaning is rough.
Be carefull about tinting. A lot of people refer to it as smoke but tinting can be many different colours; greyish, greenish, bronze and so on.

Why not talk to the windown builder. They may have some recommendations about tinting, the depth of tint and so on. A grey tint will reduce heat and brightness without changing the colour of outside object. The other tints will definitely affect colour observation and not always to the good.

I think to get a true heat reduction tint it has to be on the outside....but I can't say that for sure.

CPseudonym · Apr 1, 2012

I've never personally seen tint film on the outside of a widow.

FF · Apr 2, 2012

Does the window mfg offer thicker glass than 1/4 inch auto glass?

3/8 would be a minor improvement , 1/2 or 3/4 would be good if you have offshore desires.

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