Window Tint?

G

garyf

New member
I've been looking through a lot of threads and pictures related to keeping the cabin cool - AC, opening front window, fans, etc... and realized that I don't think I've seen any mention of window tint and don't recall seeing any pictures of a C-Dory with tinted windows. It seems to be a rare thing - is there any particular reason?

Visibility concerns? Or is the marine environment too hard on the film or something? (even good quality film?)

I feel like I might be missing something.
 
Normally window tint is not something you can put on and remove as required. So if you tint the windows for protection during the day, it could be too dark at night.

Further, the people with shades are usually people who spend nights on their boats and want the privacy shades provide anyway. That is something window tinting by itself does not provide (windows wouldn't be opaque).

On my boat, the shades are only put up when the boat is not moving (docked, anchored, boaterhoming, or stored).

FWIW, when my boat is moving, there is plenty of ventilation and the cabin stays comfortable. Having the berth hatch part way open funnels a lot of air into the boat. Add the open center window and having the cabin door open and there is a lot of air moving through the cabin. The problem is more when the boat is stopped and there is no air flow.
 
ssobol":15dmt9ke said:
FWIW, when my boat is moving, there is plenty of ventilation and the cabin stays comfortable. Having the berth hatch part way open funnels a lot of air into the boat. Add the open center window and having the cabin door open and there is a lot of air moving through the cabin. The problem is more when the boat is stopped and there is no air flow.
Click to expand...

I don't have an open center window at this point... sounds like it'd be $700 to $800 to get one. :( It's do-able, but damn...

The berth hatch... this is a new boat (to me) and I've been reluctant to leave it open much when underway at speed. I don't yet have a feeling for how much speed it can take and erring on the side of caution - but yes, it is a big help when it's open!
 
garyf":uxd53bij said:
ssobol":uxd53bij said:
FWIW, when my boat is moving, there is plenty of ventilation and the cabin stays comfortable. Having the berth hatch part way open funnels a lot of air into the boat. Add the open center window and having the cabin door open and there is a lot of air moving through the cabin. The problem is more when the boat is stopped and there is no air flow.
Click to expand...

...

The berth hatch... this is a new boat (to me) and I've been reluctant to leave it open much when underway at speed. I don't yet have a feeling for how much speed it can take and erring on the side of caution - but yes, it is a big help when it's open!
Click to expand...

You only need to open the berth hatch a little to get good airflow. Normally when cruising it is only open 1/2 to 1". Often it is just sitting on the latch tabs (open the latches, raise the hatch, move the latch handles to the closed position, lower the hatch). This is good for up to full speed cruising. When cruising at slower speeds the hatch may be raised a bit more.

IMO, the bigger concern with the open hatch is ingestion of water. In higher waves or high spray conditions we close the hatch to keep the berth area from getting wet.

For ventilation, adding small side windows to the berth is handy. This is not so much when cruising (we keep them closed) but when stopped having the side ports open allows a bit of a cross breeze in the berth.
 
I use different window shades than the fabric, snap or roll up type. I use the silver foil or mylar ones, for use in automobile windows, that have a spring wire in them and snap open to about 4 times the stored size. They come with a silver material, one side is very shiny (reflective) and one is more of a dull surface. I have a pair of 3M adhesive hooks at each window, one at the top one at the bottom, and I put the reflective shade in, shiny side out if it is warm out. If not, then either side works. They reduce cabin heat immensely, because I can put them up and still leave the windows open, allowing for air flow in the cabin. I use these when towing and boater-homing too, keeps prying eyes out.

Don't think I would be a fan of tinted windows, just in case you ever did have to be in motion after dark. Never know when that situation might come up.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

January_2010_476.thumb.jpg
 
I tented my 26. Nothing on the front. 20% along the sides, and 45% on the back. Made a big differance. We had 70% on the front but was to dark in low light.
 
Gary,
Same as cars and houses, usually done to decrease solar heat and light load without interfering with night driving. Other issue is some cheap ones don't pass VHF radio waves (which you need using a handheld radio in the cabin), according to our pro installer. After 7 years, it got dull and blurry. We recently removed it and would not do it again. Interior Sunbrella over Mylar insulation does better.

And a Coleman 15,000 BTU rooftop AC keeps it cool, should one of us have a hot flash on marina shorepower. You could also run it with any quality 5,000W generator.

I'd advise against.

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Cheers!
John
 
i had the windows tinted on the Blue~C except for the front, mainly for privacy. I have't done any boating in hot weather so can't attest to the temperature to any changes to interior temp. If nothing else, it looks awesome:)
 
We have used "Reflectix" "Double. double, Mylar reflective material inside when not running. It is cut to fit into the window frame, and then the inside curtains dropped inside of ut.

I installed about 40% transmission Lexan 3/8" windows in our Cal 46 pilot house. We would pop on deck every 15 minutes or less when running at night--or stay in the cockpit. It helped some in the tropics--but in comparison with clear glass in our other pilot house boat, I was not convinced that it made that much difference.
 
I have a pair of screens made out of Phifertexs that hang on the outside of the side windows. As a window covering, Phifertex provides about a 70% shade factor, allowing light to filter through and providing moderate privacy. It’s also GREENGUARD® Gold Certified for clean air quality, so you can confidently use it inside your home, too. For a tighter weave and approximate 93% shade factor, see Phifertex Plus Vinyl Mesh. The inside of the boat is a lot cooler when I have them on.
 
garyf":3h3jdgvx said:
I've been looking through a lot of threads and pictures related to keeping the cabin cool - AC, opening front window, fans, etc... and realized that I don't think I've seen any mention of window tint and don't recall seeing any pictures of a C-Dory with tinted windows. It seems to be a rare thing - is there any particular reason?

Visibility concerns? Or is the marine environment too hard on the film or something? (even good quality film?)

I feel like I might be missing something.
Click to expand...

Hello,
We had the 3M Crystalline product professionally installed on the Whoa Nelly. It has 97% infrared rejection and 99% UV rejection with marginal shading on the forward glass and a slight darkening on the rest (two of the shade options used from the product family). It has worked well without noticable vision reduction even on predawn sailings during salmon season.
The cabin is cooler in the hot midday sun. But, this may be from the combination effects of the previously installed Mascoat insulation (for condensation control) and the window tint. The cost of the Crystalline film and installation was not trivial, but acceptable. It is a boat "farkle" that I have been very pleased with.
Your mileage may vary...
--Chelsea
 
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