mvweebles
Guru
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2019
- Messages
- 7,218
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Weebles
- Vessel Make
- 1970 Willard 36 Trawler
What makes the Willard 36 so distinctive are the curved front windows. All other windows were glass but these were acrylic. After 50+ years, they were getting opaque and in need of replacement.
Willards were originally built in Costa Mesa CA, a latent survivor of the once thriving California boat building community that was slayed into obscurity by the Carter-era luxury tax. Willard ceased recreational trawler production in 2002 or so.
Mark Plastics (+1-951-735-7705 - phone only, no email, text, or website) in Corona CA has made windows for local boats for around 35-years, including Willards. I contacted him about forming-up the curved windows for my 1970 Willard, the last W36 built. Guess what? He has the molds to form the curve! I was in Ensenada (Baja) last week, and he was headed to Oceanside 45-mins north of San Diego, so we met there which saved me a 2-hour drive to Corona.
First, I have to say his windows are superb quality for the style they are - a clamp-in window of custom size (clamp-in meaning the inner bezel attaches to the outer frame with screws and 'clamps' the cabin walls between the inner and outer pieces). He uses 1/4" tempered glass and can make any shape needed. His prices are very reasonable, especially when you realize how expensive tempered glass is.
BTW - Mark tells me he's 68 and thinking about selling his business so he can retire. I have no interest whatsoever except that I'm a gleefully satisfied customer. Not a bad gig - note the Travel Lift in the background. Mark was making patterns for Lancer 44 motorsailor that day. If someone were looking for a decent small marine-business with room to grow (heck, just adding a website and email would easily expand the business), they could do worse. For those a bit younger and either tired of office work or idled by Covid, might be something to think about.
Peter
Willards were originally built in Costa Mesa CA, a latent survivor of the once thriving California boat building community that was slayed into obscurity by the Carter-era luxury tax. Willard ceased recreational trawler production in 2002 or so.
Mark Plastics (+1-951-735-7705 - phone only, no email, text, or website) in Corona CA has made windows for local boats for around 35-years, including Willards. I contacted him about forming-up the curved windows for my 1970 Willard, the last W36 built. Guess what? He has the molds to form the curve! I was in Ensenada (Baja) last week, and he was headed to Oceanside 45-mins north of San Diego, so we met there which saved me a 2-hour drive to Corona.
First, I have to say his windows are superb quality for the style they are - a clamp-in window of custom size (clamp-in meaning the inner bezel attaches to the outer frame with screws and 'clamps' the cabin walls between the inner and outer pieces). He uses 1/4" tempered glass and can make any shape needed. His prices are very reasonable, especially when you realize how expensive tempered glass is.
BTW - Mark tells me he's 68 and thinking about selling his business so he can retire. I have no interest whatsoever except that I'm a gleefully satisfied customer. Not a bad gig - note the Travel Lift in the background. Mark was making patterns for Lancer 44 motorsailor that day. If someone were looking for a decent small marine-business with room to grow (heck, just adding a website and email would easily expand the business), they could do worse. For those a bit younger and either tired of office work or idled by Covid, might be something to think about.
Peter
