More information, please. I don't want to discourage your participation - Welcome, by the way - but our knowing a little more about you and your boat can help us help you. Which model boat? What hull number? Where do you sail?

Catalina 36s were manufactured with various types of portlights over the decades, so it would help if you attached a photo of the specific portlight you're referring to. You can attach a jpeg up to about 320kb in size. A larger file will need to be downsized to make it to this site. If I remember correctly, there are at least two articles in the Upgrades and Maintenance library on portlight replacement. ALSO, the new issue of JibSheet - due out any moment now - has an article on portlight replacement. (Whether it's the model for your boat I don't know.) But give us a little more info and we may be able to help you.

For the vang, soft vangs are usually 4:1 purchase, if you are going with a rigid vang, give the folks at Garhaurer a call.

If it is just the lens that need replacing I recommend Select Plastics, they advertise in the Mainsheet. I think they are in NH or RI so shipping should be minimum for you.

I believe Lewmar sells replacement kits for the front hatches, the US dealer is Pompenette in Fl.

But before you do that I have heard of good results using the 3m product available at most auto parts stores for cleaning fogged head light lenses. I have not attempted my forward hatch yet, but had great results on my cars lenses.

This may sound like a stupid question, but..... Has anyone tried something like the 3M kit on the clear plastic 'windows' in a dodger? Mine have a few scrapes, not deep scratches, and are slightly hazy. Getting them replaced ain't cheap and they are otherwise fine.

kinera, I would suggest you reconsider the removal of the windlass. Unless it is completely useless and frozen, or if it doesn't fit the size chain normally used, if it still works, you may find it valuable to you later on, either for your own use or for resale. Some of us with older boats, and older bodies, have been trying to figure out how to install windlasses on earlier boats. It's not easy, but one of our guys did it for a double door anchor well. What windlass is it?

[QUOTE=plaineolde;6481]This may sound like a stupid question, but..... Has anyone tried something like the 3M kit on the clear plastic 'windows' in a dodger? Mine have a few scrapes, not deep scratches, and are slightly hazy. Getting them replaced ain't cheap and they are otherwise fine.[/QUOTE]

Gary, my understanding is that those plastics are completely different and ti wouldn't work.

My recommendation to you, since they're so far gone, why not just try a small spot and see what happens and report back to us.

Cost for replacement material for dodger windows? I'm having (just) the front windows replaced: $280. C'mon, that is not so expensive. My windows died because I had a ski accident and hadn't put my window covers on. 3 months in the sunlight killed 'em.

That's not bad at all. I thought I'd paid a lot more than that, but I may have been getting the dodger re-stitched at the same time. A re-stitch is in the works for this winter, so I'll get a quote. Will try the 3M on the hatches and ports..!

We were quoted $44 a yard for 54" width hard 80 mil plastic for windows, Cdn bucks. We are replacing all our dodger windows this winter, the existing are yellowed and scratched. Also replacing the main Dodger and Bimini sunbrella, the existing has leaks in most of the seams cause they were done the quick and dirty way not the slower but right way. Also have to restitch the UV cover on the genoa and do some re-stitching on it and the main. Having bought the Sailrite sewing machine is paying big dividends now. Helps that my bride loves to sew and is good at it!

re: your vang question. Mine is a 'soft' vang, 8:1 total (4:1 with 2:1 cascade) and I am planning to make it 16:1 when I get around to it. That will be plenty, as it is nearly adequate now.

Not sure what the total load rating is, but if you assume I am pulling about 50# of force, x the 8:1 ratio, you get 400#. Now there are times I can't pull on it, so double this at least to 800#, and add a safety factor of your liking, most people would shoot for 2:1 on that as well.

I have sailed on lots of boats, and seen a few vangs break. All of the failures I have seen have been in the attachment points to the mast. Not once have I seen the rope or blocks fail. So my advice is to pay considerable attention to the attachments at the ends.

Kinera,
As Ken Juul said, give the folks at Garhauer a call. Their rigid vangs are VERY sturdy. They own Catalinas themselves, and can definitely help. They offer the best bang for the buck for any piece of marine hardware they sell. Period. No relation to the company, just a very satisfied customer for 20+ years.

Concerning the forward hatch, I've replaced the acrylic in the forward hatch as well as the ones over the head and and salon. I simply took them to the local plastics company and they put in new material. Gotta be cheaper than replacing the entire hatches. Total cost was $381.