Aft deck windows

[MadHatter53]

My aft deck enclosure(eisenglass) is in need of repairs and updating. I am considering going with some kind of solid replacements vs canvas and plastic. Im Thinking to replace what I have is gonna cost $3-5k so I like to cry once pay once. Has anyone here had it done? I would need the center to open for swim platform and ladder access. I currently have the sliders on the sides for those days when a breeze is wanted. Later in the year I have to redo my front windshields as they tend to leak and might look into replacing them with some "lookout boat windows" if it's not too big a hit on my wallet, re bedding them is much cheaper but labor intensive.

 

[Vincentc]

View attachment IMG_0943.pdf
I used sheets of plexiglass to create an aft deck enclosure for our 43DC and have been pleased with the results.
If you are interested I can provide more information.

 

[ian w]

I bought my 53 with a plexiglass aft deck enclosure.
It warped very badly in the Florida sun
Ian w

 

[MadHatter53]

Yeah I wouldn't use plexiglass. When I was boat searching I saw a few on yachtworld that had the solid windows instead of the enclosure but not in person. I figured someone here might have had thiers redone and could give me some ideas.

 

[Scarlett]

I did a full Plexiglas enclosure on my aft deck, it works pretty good however 3 years in the plexiglass is starting to craze. I used tinted plexiglass and I asked about the crazing and the place I bought it from said that all the tinted stuff comes from China now and is not very good. Not sure if that is just this one dealer or all tinted plexiglass. So I am going to keep it for another year and the decide what to do. It is also a pain to keep clean without scratching it. I am for sure going to use glass on the side window next time, but I am afraid that glass panels on the aft end would be to heavy. John

 

[Glory]

I have considered the same thing the, my last eisenglass was $4,000 and I have hard sides already. A boat I saw that had a complete hard enclosure is, or was, " Admiralty", a YF. Admiralty was in the Gulf, Alabama or Mississippi I think. Some glass work was to get the enclosure more vertical. I recalled I liked liking it, but had no interest then.

I also think the window layout for a MY would need to be on mote or a angle learning forward A YF could be more veeticle, with out ruining the lines, just my perception.

If someone has photos to share that would be great.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Here is an enclosure done at Walstrom Marine in Harbor Springs, MI in the 80's. This is from the kit which I believe they used to purchase from Wilkins in Annapolis.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

a few more

 

[Glory]

What a beautiful job, do you have any photos of the outside profile.

Do you recall who made the corner windows and material?

 

[Scarlett]

Sky, are the stern windows glass or plexiglass? John

 

[MadHatter53]

Wow, that's nice and exactly what I'm looking for. Wonder if they can do it in white. I'll see if I can find something on Wilkins. Thanks Sky.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Wow, that's nice and exactly what I'm looking for. Wonder if they can do it in white. I'll see if I can find something on Wilkins. Thanks Sky.

I think Wilkins became Atlantic Yacht. Not sure. You'll have to ask the East Coasters.

BTW, the Afromosia interior was another upgrade. The basic enclosure did not have that.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Sky, are the stern windows glass or plexiglass? John

They are glass

 

[tom5518]

Here is an enclosure done at Walstrom Marine in Harbor Springs, MI in the 80's. This is from the kit which I believe they used to purchase from Wilkins in Annapolis.

Wow, great information Sky.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Wow, great information Sky.

I was hoping you would chime in since most of this info came from you. You make me look like some sort of Hatteras guru

 

[tom5518]

I was hoping you would chime in since most of this info came from you. You make me look like some sort of Hatteras guru

Thank you for the complement, but YOU ARE the real Hatteras Guru!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Thank you for the complement, but YOU ARE the real Hatteras Guru!

So, let me test your knowledge then. What was the total cost back then to have one of these enclosure kits installed?

 

[tom5518]

So, let me test your knowledge then. What was the total cost back then to have one of these enclosure kits installed?

I could not tell you exactly and I think the cost varied from year to year, but I would guess that the enclosure in your pictures was about $30K back in 1983/84 when it was installed. That doesn't include the afromosia below the railing. I would guess that was another $5k+. I think it was also an option to get 110ac on the 53 back then and most ordered it but this boat wasn't ordered with it, so they put it in that winter also along with the corresponding isolation transformer.

 

[Vincentc]

I bought my 53 with a plexiglass aft deck enclosure.
It warped very badly in the Florida sun
Ian w

Interesting
My plexiglass (1/8" cast acrylic) panels have been in place over 6 years, none have warped or cracked from the sun.
I wouldn't think FL sun to be that much more intense than Latitude 30 here on the MS Gulf Coast

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I could not tell you exactly and I think the cost varied from year to year, but I would guess that the enclosure in your pictures was about $30K back in 1983/84 when it was installed. That doesn't include the afromosia below the railing. I would guess that was another $5k+. I think it was also an option to get 110ac on the 53 back then and most ordered it but this boat wasn't ordered with it, so they put it in that winter also along with the corresponding isolation transformer.

I have seen a few DIY enclosures and nothing compares to these that were put in back in the 80's. They were done right but obviously not cheap.