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panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts
Initially Posted - 02/11/2014 :  12:09:52  Show Profile
O K I'm sitting here with over 60 inches of snow this winter and thinking of things to do this spring. Has anyone installed a Cruising Design window upgrade. I have an 84 SR FK which has the aluminum frames
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panhead1948
Captain

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345 Posts
Response Posted - 02/11/2014 :  12:40:10  Show Profile
Opps that should be cruising concepts
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts
Response Posted - 02/11/2014 :  18:37:45  Show Profile
I haven't installed the upgrade kit but, since nobody has replied yet, I'll tell you about my experience.

My C&C 35 had frameless portlights originally, and I had them professionally replaced 2 years ago. One man worked on removing the old windows a full day, and 2 men installed the new portlights in less than a day. Removing them and removing the old adhesive was hard work, but, since yours aren't glued in, yours will be easier to remove.

Before the new portlights were installed, the installer applied masking tape about 1" inside the perimeter of each portlight, and then painted the exposed surface black. The reason is so a person looking at the portlight from outside won't see the stripe of adhesive all around the portlight.

The new portlight shouldn't fit snugly into the opening. The space between the portlight and the opening should be about 3/32" all around, so that the material will have room to expand in the summer heat.

The adhesive caulk comes in black or white, and mine were installed with black adhesive, which looks nice. Before you caulk them, you should mask your gelcoat around the opening, to prevent getting the black caulk on your gelcoat, and you should also mask the new window, although it will probably come with a protective skin of vinyl that you peel off after the installation is complete.

If I were you, I'd probably consider obtaining the materials myself, instead of buying the kit. You can buy the acrylic or lexan on ebay, and the sellers will sometimes even cut it for you, if you provide them a pattern. You can buy the adhesive in better ship's chandleries. I'm not sure what all is included in the kit, but I believe the portlight and adhesive must be the most costly items. I had mine done professionally because I can't do that kind of work anymore.

It sure is nice, though, to have windows that never leak a drop, no matter how hard it rains! You'll find it a really nice upgrade.
Edited by - Steve Milby on 02/11/2014 18:42:12
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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts
Response Posted - 02/12/2014 :  06:51:00  Show Profile
I looked at their price..... ouch! 1200.00+

I replaced my windows, but I didn't have the aluminum frame to deal with. I think I paid about $80.00 for the acrylic. Also I didn't have to deal with anything on the inside of the cabin. Here is a link to the job:

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23031
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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts
Response Posted - 02/13/2014 :  05:51:12  Show Profile
I replaced my front hatch with lexan and later learned that acrylic holds up better than lexan for windows and hatches.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.