Convert deck window to deck hatch?

[Flightfollowing]

I have a 2006 26M with the port deck window leaking, crazed, and scratched. I have removed it in order to either replace or reinstall, BWY sells them for $52 which seams reasonable. However, I am considering trying to fabricate an operable deck hatch to replace the window, and wondered if anyone had heard of a source for a macgregor 26M specific hatch? I doubt it, but figured I would check. Option 2 would be to install a conventional rectangular deck hatch in the windows place, but this would not optimize the size of the hatch and would probably look crappy compared to a hatch that were customized to fit the shape of the window.
Finally, I am remotely considering building one, which would require milling or routering an alumimum frame to precisely fit the shape of the window frame, and fitting hinges and latches and acrylic port to complete a custom deck hatch, something like a vetus planus hatch:

http://www.vetus.com/boat-windows/escap ... 71-mm.html

If anyone has suggestions or observations, please share. Also, if I were to build a batch of these port hatches for a 26M, how many would pay around $300 for a custom hatch?

[fouz]

I have seen people put a small square port in the windows.

And as to the $300 a port i would imagine a few people would want them as a small square port runs above $200 each. I have been wanted to do the same thing but those ports are a little rich for me atm.

[Ixneigh]

I'd be interested if the quality mached the price.
I did install square plastic framed hatches but the units were brittle and the hinges broke.
If you install hatches use only the best quality.
Ix

[yukonbob]

I'm still waiting for the day when someone puts a foot through one of those front windows. The extra light is kind of nice but you can't look out them (really) and two more opening hatches (windowed or not) would be nice, and if it were a solid hatch it would remove one of the weak links in these boats. Really curious to see how this turns out.

[Highlander]

Jack
done it to his boat
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1760

But @ 230$ each for over $500. with tax .

I went this route for $50. plus another $30. to make the durade boxes for a total of $80.
they work great r rain proof & can be turned in any direction & can be removed if need be I bought mine @ the boat show for half price I bought the 3" cowl vents had the 4" ones but when I sat them on the boat they just looked too big so I exchanged them back for the 3" ones
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/nicro-ven ... 63_001_004



http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 7076ba.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 9e2a10.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 8efb5d.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... cf295f.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... fca6e8.jpg

I even made screens inserts for them also
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 5213f6.jpg

I just ordered these to finish off the inside so now I will be able to ajust the opening size
http://victory-products.com/collections ... s/hm003706

I have thought of removing the window making a black plastic plug the same size as the window to fill in the hole then install the biggest hatch to fit the plug this would be the cheapest way to go as customized hatches r going to cost a fortune

also remember hatches do have a disadvantage in the rain where as cowl vents with dorade boxes & portlights with rain shields do not
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 9ab2d5.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... e24c55.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 56b385.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 6ead26.jpg

Portlights also give u cross ventilation

J

[Highlander]

here,s a pic of my boat on the water the cowl vents kinda make the boat more salty


and my next vent mod
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... birwib.jpg

bought one of these when they were on sale for $463.
http://victory-products.com/collections ... s/ry03-280

and two of these
http://victory-products.com/collections ... ts/sa61680

J

[Ixneigh]

I did the same thing as jack however the plastic hatches I had bought at A marine outlet broke.
So I made lexan replacement covers and used the part of the old frames that were mounted in the original oem skylites.





Note how the hatches are placed. This is so if the boat is not pointing into the wind I still get ventilation.

They have spring style hatch supports so they open and close instantly. They are secured by pull lines and a cam cleat. Works quite well.

Ix

[Highlander]

I went with the same size hatch on my front hatch mod but @ the time I found an Alum frame one on sale for only $20. more than the plastic one , glad I went that route now , this mod gives u a lot of natural light in the V-Berth on these wet & or cold days & takes away that enclosed feeling when the hatch is closed I also installed one of those 14x19" $7. baby auto roll-up blinds perforate so gives nice shade but u can still see out thru them but cannot see thru them lookin in , this hatch also came with a screen & finishing inside ring
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010147.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010148.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010149.jpg

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010150.jpg

Another mod which give more light & ventilation

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 2f88c6.jpg

J