Quotes for replacing entire boat windows (ex hatch) ?

JollyRodgers

JollyRodgers

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Hello,

Has anyone replaced themselves, or paid for someone to replace their boat windows?

I have a Sadler 32 and running around for quotes now to see roughly how much it will cost to replace 6 windows. The current ones are the originals from 1986 and have been repaired several times over the years. Starting to leak ever so slightly, but due to the excessive amounts of rain at the moment, they are getting a bit worse. Figured it would make sense to do the windows before I redid the upholstery.

Is it a difficult job to do yourself, or is it one of those things that are just time consuming?

I figured i'd be lazy and pay someone to do it because I'd be really annoyed at myself if they leaked (or leaked worse than before).

Also, what are your thoughts on either dark tint or blue tints vs regular clear?
 
I believe the windows are aluminium framed type. If that's so, they are easy to refurbish yourself if your reasonably handy at very negligible cost.
There's not much point in replacing the frames unless their seriously corroded which is unlikely. My frames were still good even after nearly 50 years.
There's been several threads on here recently about restoration of windows. If you search, you should find them.
 
Sadler 34 has eight windows rather than the 32's six. Eagle Windows quoted me something like £650 two years ago but I would have had to ship them home and back to Greece, so in the end I had them done in Athens for around €1000.

I dispute ghostlymoron's claim that they are easy to refurbish. I have done all of them several times with very limited success. It's a pig of a job, tedious and messy. The firm in Athens found that original glass was too small for the frames and replaced it with the correct size, which has proved to be successful.
 
I had my Vancouver 27 Windows rebuilt by Eagle Windows. They did a fantastic job even if it was an expensive one, about £600 I recall. There's an article in PBO this month about rebuilding windows if you didn't know.
 
One can buy 6 or 8mm perspex (or modern equiv) for not too much. Sealer and Stainless screws/.bolts will cost you some more. Use the old ones as templates and cut the stuff yourself and sand the edges. I think I spent about £250 on parts when I did 4 substantial windows. Did it in 2 stages -some in Norway on various quaysides - some back here in Scotland. Just pick a good day before getting started. If you have "interscrews" -remember you will need help- somebody on the outside securing the other end! It's not that difficult or scary so have a go!
 
I have renovated the four biggest windows on my Rustler 36. The first I did the whole job myself , it is very messy and took ages but it did not leak the last three I sent to Eagle who do a super job. Removing the frames can be tricky especially if they were installed using Sikaflex as sealant. If any of the smaller ones need doing I would use Eagle again. They are very helpful and efficient.
 
JollyRodgers said:
Hello,

Has anyone replaced themselves, or paid for someone to replace their boat windows?

I have a Sadler 32 and running around for quotes now to see roughly how much it will cost to replace 6 windows. The current ones are the originals from 1986 and have been repaired several times over the years. Starting to leak ever so slightly, but due to the excessive amounts of rain at the moment, they are getting a bit worse. Figured it would make sense to do the windows before I redid the upholstery.

Is it a difficult job to do yourself, or is it one of those things that are just time consuming?

I figured i'd be lazy and pay someone to do it because I'd be really annoyed at myself if they leaked (or leaked worse than before).

Also, what are your thoughts on either dark tint or blue tints vs regular clear?
Click to expand...

Try Hadlow Marine of Tonbridge, I know of a number of satisfied yotties who have used the company for the job you need
 
GrahamM376 said:
Worth having a word with C & J, they can refurbish or even make new frames. Had good service when we needed Berwick ones servicing.

http://www.candjinternationalwindows.co.uk/
Click to expand...

Enthusiastically seconded. They did my wee Westerly windows for me a while back and I used them again to rebuild my Hunter 490 windows about 5 years ago. In both cases they did a beautiful job, and surprisingly cheap ... I think the Hunter windows cost me about £60 each, including toughened glass which is much nicer than plastic and cost something like £3 per side more.

I did the Westerly windows myself once before. It was a tricky job and they still leaked a bit. After C&J had been at them, nary a drop.
 
Just had my Sadler 32 windows rebuilt by Eagle Windows. Very happy with the job they did, cost a little under £500 including new screws and a couple of tubes of mastic for the reinstallation.

Mine were as originally fitted by Sadlers in 1985. Had been putting up with minor leaks for the last ten years or so, and had attempted various externally applied cures, but with no lasting effect.

They were quite easy to remove. The original mastic had dried out and hardened and didn't need cutting away, just a firm series of pushes on the frame from inside the boat.

However I spent quite a bit of time cleaning up the window apertures and making good gelcoat cracking around the original screwholes, particularly where it extended beyond the window frames. I blocked up the apertures with plastic and gorilla tape, and this had to be removed and replaced each time I worked on them until the windows went back and this all added to the time involved.

Well worth getting the windows themselves rebuilt (by Eagle Windows in my case) so I could focus on preparing for their return.

I've just reinstalled them and for the first time in a few years don't have to worry about the effect of leaks when it blows wet and windy.
 
I had a very nice job done by Hadlow Marine albeit on two large windows so my price would be different
Removed them myself quite easy to do and I'm new to boat refurbishment.
dropped them off, Windows came back with Butyl Tape already affixed well worth a call not to far from Surrey I understand they will remove and fit if required
 
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