DIY windows for shanty boat

Discussion in 'Wooden Boat Building and Restoration' started by jbo_c, Jun 5, 2023.

  1. jbo_c
    Joined: Jul 2017
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    Location: Gainesville, GA

    jbo_c Junior Member

    Looking for diy ideas for my shanty boat windows. I’d really rather build than buy something manufactured. Seems to fit the type better.

    They need to open and close and have screens - and, of course, be waterproof. I have some ideas, but can’t think of how to describe them.

    Simple is the name of the game(for both my skills and the type :) ). A simple swing in or out panel on a hinge would be great, but not sure how I’d make it waterproof.

    Thanks.

    Jbo
     
  2. bajansailor
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    If you are not planning on having air conditioning, then you could perhaps consider a top hinged type of window that is called a Demerara window in the Caribbean, as it originated in Guyana - here is some info on them.
    The Demerara Window and its Origins — National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago https://nationaltrust.tt/home/demerara-window-origins/?v=df1f3edb9115

    They are not 'waterproof' as such (are you anticipating waves and spray flying about while underway?) but the louvres resist rain very well, while still allowing any breeze to come in.
     
  3. kapnD
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    kapnD Senior Member

    Jbo Not giving much to work with here…
    Do you have tools and building skills ?
    Is there a budget?
    Do you have a preference of materials?
    Are the windows a particular size?
    Do they need to be opening?
    Is there room for them to slide up or down or sideways?
    Can they hinge on a particular side?
     
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  4. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    gonzo Senior Member

    Open, close, have screens and waterproof do not go together with simple and unskilled. If by shanty boat you mean to look like it was made with found materials, used random windows would fit the bill.
     
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  5. jbo_c
    Joined: Jul 2017
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    Location: Gainesville, GA

    jbo_c Junior Member

    Bajan, I love that look. Something very along those lines is one idea I’ve had in mind. But I’ll need pretty good insect protection and, while won’t have it at first, air conditioning of some sort will come into play at some point.

    Kapn. Fair point. Guess I was making assumptions about assumptions people would make based on my post. I have some skills and tools. After all, I’m building the boat. That said, I’m definitely NOT a finish carpenter. Size is at least a little flexible, but 2’x4’ would be the biggest if I went for the biggest I could fit. They could slide fore/aft. Material is open. Budget is pretty open, though my natural tendency is to do the least expensive thing that’s functional and reasonably fitting aesthetically.

    Some RV windows wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I think something home built would look more appropriate.

    Don’t know how to describe them well, but here goes: I saw some (somewhere) that I liked that were basically a flat frame that slid into a track from the inside. The “track” was angled so that to close the window, you leaned it flat against the wall and inserted a “jam” piece to hold it in place. To open the window, you could either remove the jam piece and let it lean into the track or remove the frame completely.

    Not sure that description will make sense to anybody but me. Sorry. My artistic skills suck even more, so drawing it out definitely won’t help. :)

    Thanks for the replies.

    Jbo
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2023
  6. jbo_c
    Joined: Jul 2017
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    Location: Gainesville, GA

    jbo_c Junior Member

    Gonzo, the specific look will be Atkins’ “Retreat” or Devlin’s “Millie Hill”.

    Not so much found material look, but similar styling and focus on simplicity.

    Jbo
     

    Attached Files:

  7. jbo_c
    Joined: Jul 2017
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    Location: Gainesville, GA

    jbo_c Junior Member

    Said I couldn’t draw it, then I tried anyway. Think it communicates it pretty well.

    it’s a pretty clever design, I think. Allows the window to be closed, tilted/cracked open, or fully opened. And you could use a solid window or a screen.

    Forgive me if the art doesn’t communicate it as well as I think it does.

    I like this option, but I’m open to something else.

    Jbo
     

    Attached Files:


  8. Rumars
    Joined: Mar 2013
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    Rumars Senior Member

    Google pictures "wheelhouse windows", or see here: wheelhouse windows http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?171092-wheelhouse-windows

    If you don't actually want to become a finish carpenter the easiest way is to make the frame out of a single piece of plywood with the glass/plexi/lexan glued on or in a rebate. This frame you hinge on top and prop open with a stick at whatever distance you like. On the inside of the frame glue a neoprene gasket.
    Close with whatever hardware you like that compresses the gasket.
    Insect screen on the inside, sliding or hinged.
    To satisfy the scavenged theme use flat car/bus windows from a scrapyard for the actual glass.
     
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