Early '80s Hatteras 37 front blinded

[brico]

I've noted on Yachtworld.com that there a several Hatteras 37 from early 80s that do not have front windows. Was this a retrofit (blinding) by owners or this was an option from Hatteras? Those that do not have front windows also do not have lower helm station, reducing the maintenance and number of things that can go wrong. My 1980 Hatteras 37 has three front windows but because of so many logs in the water during the boating season I always run the boat from the flybridge because the visibility from the lower helm station is poor at zero speed and decreases significantly as the speed increases. While not having front windows reduces possibility for leaks it reduces the natural light in the cabin which we do not mind here in the Pacific North West as most boats do not need or have the AC. How difficult would it be to blind the front windows?

 

[whoover]

Hello, I also have three front windows and lower helm. I never operate from below but I like the light the glass gives me. Filling the openings wouldn't be hard. Build three panels from glass cloth and a water resistant core to save weight and glass them in. The harder part is getting the exterior filled, faired and painted to look good. The inside could be paneled with matching veneer. This will all depend on your skill level or how much you want to spend.

Walt Hoover

 

[rsmith]

Hatteras never sealed these windows properly. There are much better sealants today than 40 years ago. If the issue is leaks reseal them and get a windshield cover made.

 

[tkbsurf]

I have a 1977 37' with three front windows. When I initially took ownership they leaked terribly. Since then I have had all three replaced with new glass, resealed and re-tinted with 3m film to keep it cool. It is much better, but still an excessive amount of heat generated in that area. I have to say, if I were to paint the exterior, I would go ahead and fill them in. The added visibility and light doesn't outweigh the heat rejection in the summer.

 

[JuiceClark]

My widows were "blinded." When replacing the upholstery on the inside of them, it looked like they were probably filled-in at the factory as an ordered option.

Well, as time has past I've come to realize the paint on the house is substandard to the rest. It hasn't weathered the same and it has a clear coat on it...a peeling clear coat. So, now I'm thinking those windows were blinded later at some yard...which was too cheap to use the proper Imron.

All the boat needs to shine is a nice buffing - except the house has to be repainted because of when she was blinded.

 

[bigbill]

i was told that all of the boats came out of the molds with the windshield area solid, they were cut to fit the windows. when it became popular to not have front windows the factory just didnt cut the holes for the windows.... i glassed in the front windows of my 46c, when i did this you could easily see that the front was cut out to fit windows...very crude cuts, some screws in the frames barely caught any thing because the cuts were a very rough cut opening

 

[madhatter1]

We glassed in the windows on the 34 and built nice cabinetry on the "dash" area. Made more usable room and helped keep it cooler.

Our 46 has a nice windshield cover that lets in some light but not the sun. Huge salon and prefer the open "dash" area on the larger boat.

It's really a preference so do it up the way it works for you.

Note*** Windows leaked on the 34 but do not on the 46.

 

[newinlet]

My 78 37C has the front windows no lower helm. I have a nice sumbrella cover for all three and the 2
side windows as well. windows are not leaking and I feel we get plenty of light from the side and rear windows

I believe all 37C came with windows in the front I have the original sales brochure from mine and nothing is mentioned