Front windows

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:03 am

Hi all,

I see a lot of people have the front windows closed off with canvas? I figure it's to keep the sun out?

My front windows leak and I will fix this spring. I'm in a covered slip, so not worried about it leaking now.

But I was wondering it anyone out there, removed the window and replaced it with a solid materal, then paint the outside/inside, white, or whatever, thereby getting rid of the front windows.

I'm thinking about doing this and would like to hear from you all out there in boat land, your thoughts.

Thanks, Larry

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 12:57 pm

That will reduce light into the cabin area.... is this something you want to do?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 1:20 pm

I will will Keep the boat cooler It helps a lot on mine The front windows on mine are large ,so it helps a lot , Fishing off shore it a safty thing also less chance of a wave crashing thru (it happens) a lot of off shore sport fisherman don't have windows for that resson and give more suport for the flybrige . a lot of folks have covered them over , I may have but I have a lower helm. I have only taken it off 2 times once to use the lower helm the other to repair it .

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 2:18 pm

With these large front windows the cabin gets pretty hot in the summer so I put my cover on to protect from direct sunlight and for privacy and when i'm not using the boat (it helps keep the rain off) but it really gets too dark in the cabin with the cover on, my firstmate doesn't like dark, so I take it off when we're under way also because I drive from the lower helm more and it comes off real easy. If there was a good way to put curtains in those windows on the inside I probably would not use the cover.
[/img]http://i362.photobucket.com/albums/oo63 ... CN0239.jpg

swkillian · Post by **swkillian** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 3:06 pm

I have been considering the same thing on my F26. I am not concerned about the light as I feel like enough comes in through the side windows. If it does become an issue, I can always install a clear front hatch. It just seems like once the windows are gone, it will be something to never have to worry about again.

My only concern is how it will look from the outside, but I think it will be fine.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 3:14 pm

I think that if I were to want to eliminate the front cabin windows on my F-26 and not make it look like a patch job, I'd install a bench seat across the front of the cabin like some other models of trojans have. I little bit of wood, fiberglass and creativity could go a long way.

g36 · Post by **g36** » Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:23 pm

you could also use a material rather than sunbrella canvas that will let you see out its called phifertex which is what i have there are 2 versions and each filters out some of the sunlight. one up to 95%. i made mine and leave it on all the time. i can drive from the lower station with it on but i dont like to and i normally will remove it then, i also have a white vinyl cover and if it is really hot and sunny as in the summer and were anchored out for the day i will install it over the other not to double up but i have snaps on the phifertex cover that i use to snap this one on. keeps inside alot cooler. yes the phifertex darkens the interior some but depending on which version used there is still plenty of daylight even in the covered slip. it comes in various colors but i have black since my other windows are black out tinted the black front cover looks good to me and its nice being able to see out with it on. my pic shows it on the boat[img][img]http://i723.photobucket.com/albums/ww23 ... G_2237.jpg[/img]
[/img]

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 10:14 am

Removable windshield screens are a great thing. I have one made of Sunbrella material that I install over the cockpit windshield when I'm tied up in the marina. It definately reduces the interior temperature.

In the original post however, Larry is refering to the front windows of his cabin which are at the front of the raised deck on these models. They are notorious for leaking. And of course they leak right on the cushions in the V-Berth.

If left un-repaired, the cushions get moldy and as in the case with my boat, when I bought it I not only had to replace the cushions but the wood as well.

Personally, I would have preferred that this boat did not have those front windows from the factory. It would make the boat look even better.

wowzer52 · Post by **wowzer52** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:04 pm

Where you have plenty of light coming in the side windows it makes good sense to eliminate the front window and the leak problem.

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:50 pm

I'm not to concerned about the light, or lack of, by removing the windows. It does cause the heat to rise, and may help remove the need of an AC.

But having it not look like a patch job does. From what some of you say, removing the front windows is something that wouldn't be far out of line. So, when the weather warms up again, I think this will be at the top of my "to do" list.
I can spend the winter figuring out just how to do it. If I could make it look as smooth as possible would be great. Perhaps a sheet of fiberglass big enough to cover the entire area would be conceivable?

Any thoughts about how to do it is welcome.

Thanks, Larry

swkillian · Post by **swkillian** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 4:12 pm

I really like the idea of making a bench seat there. I think I will give that some thought. I was at my today looking at it again, and after a couple of days of rain, one window is leaking ever so slightly. I just don't want to have to worry about it anymore. So regardless I hope to have them out and filled in.

I am planning on painting the boat anyway, so I will be able to complete the glasswork and then prime and paint with the rest of the boat for what should be a clean finished look.

I will post some pics when I get to work on it, but first I have to deal with the main windshield...

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Fri Nov 27, 2009 10:06 pm

larglo wrote:I'm not to concerned about the light, or lack of, by removing the windows. It does cause the heat to rise, and may help remove the need of an AC.
But having it not look like a patch job does. From what some of you say, removing the front windows is something that wouldn't be far out of line. So, when the weather warms up again, I think this will be at the top of my "to do" list.
I can spend the winter figuring out just how to do it. If I could make it look as smooth as possible would be great. Perhaps a sheet of fiberglass big enough to cover the entire area would be conceivable?
Any thoughts about how to do it is welcome.
Thanks, Larry

Any replacement will still need to be sealed to prevent leaking. Why not fix the leak and use deep auto tint film on the inside.
That way you will cut down 90%+ of the heat and still have an unmodified Trojan... removing the window may reduce the number of people who would buy it on resale.

Larry think about this... once you start really using yout boat and spend more time on it you may well find you want something bigger with more space/comfort. Can you say F32?

larglo · Post by **larglo** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 10:00 am

Thanks for all of your comments. I talked to my wife and she's not to crazy about removing the windows either.

I have all winter to think about this, before deciding just what to do.

Thanks,

Larry

vabeach1234 · Post by **vabeach1234** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:51 am

Larry,
Here are some pictures of some F26's where the front cabin windows have been removed. I make it a point to save pictures of F26's that have mods to them.

http://s853.photobucket.com/albums/ab96 ... 20Trojans/

Ken

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:57 am

Seal them and use window tint ...

OR ...

install Roman shades on the inside. We bought a set to put inside, running up/down on lines we'll run parallel with the sloped window glass. Haven;t installed them yet (don't need them in witner), but will use next year when it warms up!