Cad drawings 26X windows?

[bartmac]

Don't suppose there's in existence CAD drawings for the perspex/lexan/poly carbinate windows for 26X??????????????????

[DaveB]

Not that I know of but I have a complete set of all windows that I bought thru BWY 2 years ago that I haven't installed yet for my 1997 Mac.X.
(waiting for retirement to install them)
They have the Manifactured specs.
Dave

Don't suppose there's in existence CAD drawings for the perspex/lexan/poly carbinate windows for 26X??????????????????

[kmclemore]

Not that I know of, either. The factory would, of course, have them, but they're probably going to want to keep them confidential.

[bartmac]

Was hoping to make life easier....guess I'll just have to make templates.Was looking to possibly up the thickness to impart some strength to the upper deck section....ours groans under my weight and have to be carefull where you place your entire weight

[bwygirl]

Don't think you will be able to gain strength for the upper deck through the windows being thicker. The windows are sealed in place, the screws just hold the windows still till the sealant is dry. The windows just sit there in place, but to ask them to hold or build stability to the deck I don't think can happen. We do have replacement windows if you need new ones but they would be the orginal size. They really are not hard to put on, don't wait till you retire! If you have purchased our windows and ARE waiting till you retire you will be dissapointed as the paper that sticks to the windows needs to be pulled off fairly soon after you receive the windows or it will be permantly stuck on! That is why we do not stock the windows, we need to make them fresh for each customer! Give us a call if you have questions! Cheryl, Blue Water Yachts

[bartmac]

Having looked at amount of deformation of the perspex windows when loaded by one persons weight 100kgs,the thickness of the deck where the windows are fitted I still think a slight increase of the thickness of the perspex? poly carbonate would be advantageous.....The fact I will have to cut the windows myself due to being 10000k away makes the fitting of precut factory ones unlikely

[Highlander]

If I was going to replace the front windows I'd try making some sort of hdep plastic filler & install the biggest opening port I could get to fit , something like the mod Jack Sparrow done & posted just recently but replacing the window completly instead of cutting out an opening in the original window

J

[bartmac]

Had the similar idea of putting opening hatches where the fixed front windows are....the shape however makes it hard.....not to mention the "bend" on 2 planes would make it even harder.Thought I'd replace the windows with very dark lexan?? and then fit the largest opening hatches into the new fixed windows

[seahouse]

Bartmac--If you are going to make the windows yourself, and have access to a router, you could circumvent the template step and clamp the old window to the new sheet of plastic and use a flush-cutting straight trim bit with an on-size bearing giude at the top of the (carbide) cutter. Can cut oversize initially with some adhesive tape thicknesses, and then finish with a cleanup cut on the final pass. That will easily get you within thousandths of an inch on size and profile, if attention to detail is important.

I suggest trial cuts on scrap first, (depth of cut, feed rate, etc) if you’re not familiar with working with plastics. Same for drilling holes.

Chamfer or roundover the top edge with a small radius, because it’s easy, and makes a “professional looking” job, and will camouflage height mismatches with the deck.

If I were using a thicker than stock material, I would undercut a step around the edge (for a short distance) down to the original thickness so that the window sits flush on the top, exterior, but so the thickness protrudes to the interior of the boat. Radius the inside edge of that step to maintain strength.

If you went with, say, ½” or more-thick material, you would then have a robust base to support an inset hatch.

Also be sure to allow adequate clearance on your screw holes- too little, and thermal expansion will cause stress and leaks later on.

Yeah- a bend on two planes complicates all this – to get around that the curvature of the original windows would have to be matched in the stock (by heat) first. Complicated and time-consuming for most DIY’ers.

-Brian.

[bartmac]

Was going to get a rough oversize cut from the supplier then recut with jigsaw and then smooth with sander??......The router method.....didn't think of that one after spending 3 years using 8 or so router in furniture production everyday (waterbeds)nearly 30 years ago....each one set up for specific jobs with all the adjustments loctited to save set up time.When I started the contract the factory had 3 routers and each job required you setup the bit,fence or bearing....use it and then resetup.....job for mugs.Use the template method ie jigs laided on the wood draw around,overcut with bandsaw or jigsaw,pin the jig back on and run the router around using 1/2" bit 50mm long,then on to a drum sander etc etc.....I guess I was sceptical I could get the old windows out without breaking/shattering

[Highlander]

here's the mod jack Sparrow done
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1760

My self I would be very wary of a large wave hiting this & taking it out as it is only a strong as the window it is fitted into & I'd think that because it has been modified I'd think it is now weaker than the original window before the mod just my personal though on that mod . i do like the mod but think the window should be completly removed

J

[Ormonddude]

When I cut acrylic,fiberglass or plexiglass I use a angle grinder with a steel cutting wheel it cuts fast and very clean just leave the protective film on in case there is melt splatter but if you go slow it should not be a problem as the air coming off the 10k-15000 rpm tends to cool the material as you go jig saws can cause the same melting and then vibrate causing cracking. a cheapo angle grinder from harbor freight is like $10-20 and is very useful in boat work from cutting frozen bolts to cutting fiberglass even sanding wood.

[telwin]

i used a jigsaw with fine tooth metal cutting blades.Covered citting line with masking tape. Then chamfered edges with an angle grinder. Used dow corning sealer to seal the perspex to the boat with original bolts.Had to (sunbrella covers) cover the 6 windows of my x due to minute cracks forming on new fitted perspex windows. due to high UV .

[DaveB]

I bought the windows thru you about 2 years ago, I just tried to peel the paper off and came off easy. Maybe they changed glue .
What type of adhisive do you recommend putting the windows in place?
Dave

They really are not hard to put on, don't wait till you retire! If you have purchased our windows and ARE waiting till you retire you will be dissapointed as the paper that sticks to the windows needs to be pulled off fairly soon after you receive the windows or it will be permantly stuck on! That is why we do not stock the windows, we need to make them fresh for each customer! Give us a call if you have questions! Cheryl, Blue Water Yachts

[macr]

I ordered/installed BWY replacements for all 6 windows and used black Lifeseal sealant...Very happy with the results.

http://boatlife.com/life-seal/lifeseal-cartridges.html