I own a 1984 C36I. The current window shades are on their last leg. It seems they begin to crumble when you just look at them. I know many of you out there have replaced your shades with something bigger and better, especially those of you that have DIY.
I have priced out the custom shades and would like to avoid spending $$$$. Catalina Direct looks good but is in the process of updating shades and won't be up and running for another couple of weeks. I was hoping for the DIY direction.
Can you give me some of your ideas on what you used and how you did it?
My original shades were run out on an upper and lower plastic horizontal slide, clipped to the upper and lower window frame that ran from the front to rear of the cabin. The shades were vertical pleated.
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
Chris, we had the same $$ issue a few years ago. The Admiral found some material she liked, took the little thingies off the old curtains and made new ones. She claims she'll never do it again because of having to resew all those little thingies back on the new curtains. We do still like her choice of material!
Stu Jackson, C34IA Secretary, C34 #224, 1986, SR/FK, M25 engine, Rocna 10 (22#)
Chris, I had shades like what you described on my Catalina 25 and I always found them to be a pain the transom. The type that Catalina supplies with their boats in production now are a step up for sure. I would suggest that you look in to the over head shades that roll up in a metal container for your hatch over the main salon and your V-Berth. I bit the bullet and purchased my two at the Annopolis show a couple of months ago and have been quite pleased with them.
I sm certain that there will be plenty of chatter on this website to help you.
Glad to see that you have begun to post here.
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
Here in Texas, the Peek-a-Boo shades by Zarcor work very well. What I like about them is that they fit against the glass. This is worth a few degrees when the AC is running because they block the sunlight at the glass and not an inch or two to behind the glass like curtains do.
They are not "black-out" and do let light into the cabin.
Not sure if you looked into them but here is the website...
[url]http://www.zarcor.com/products/peek-a-booo/index.php[/url]
Jack
Solstice
Hull #1598
1996 MKII/TR/FK - M35AC - 3 Blade MaxProp
Lake Texoma
www.texomasailing.org
Hello Pat, you are exactly right. When I installed it in the V-Berth I had to place it ever so slightly off center. What I mean by that is that I placed the retrieving tube (if you will) toward the bow and the part of the curtain that rols up inside towards the stern. Gosh, does that make sense at all?? As far as the name of the company and price I will have to wait until I see my baby on Friday evening. I will send a photo, name of company, model number, and price at that time. I thought the price was atrocious, but then again we all know what the true definition of a boat is right?
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
Thanks for all of the replies. I have checked the sites noted and will be considering them. I am still in the quest for a DIY less expensive route. I have inspected a few new Cat's at the local dealer and found the horizontal material shades (which I think I will look into on a DIY basis) that have snaps to hold them up and then secure them when down as well as the roller shades. Both look great and would work. Still I would like to avoid the $$$$ that they cost.
Over the next few weeks while Xmas shopping I am going to look around at some local curtain/material shops and see if I can make the horizontal shades. They don't look like there is much to them if I can find the material.
I also went to my local Home Depot. They have mini blinds that can be cut to size. All I have to do is to figure how to secure them to the boat above the window. They come with brackets that secure the bottom of the blinds below the window that might make for a nice custom fit. Sizing them to the window (making them 12" vs 48") is doable.
Anyway if there are any of you out there that have any more suggestions please join in. I am open for more suggestions.
I will post some photos of my progress if and when I settle on a plan and begin the project...
Chris
*****************************************************
[QUOTE=chs1517;3361]I own a 1984 C36I. The current window shades are on their last leg. It seems they begin to crumble when you just look at them. I know many of you out there have replaced your shades with something bigger and better, especially those of you that have DIY.
I have priced out the custom shades and would like to avoid spending $$$$. Catalina Direct looks good but is in the process of updating shades and won't be up and running for another couple of weeks. I was hoping for the DIY direction.
Can you give me some of your ideas on what you used and how you did it?
My original shades were run out on an upper and lower plastic horizontal slide, clipped to the upper and lower window frame that ran from the front to rear of the cabin. The shades were vertical pleated.[/QUOTE]
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
Chris,
I purchased some of the peek-a-boo blinds from zocor and while i liked the shades i have had a real problem getting them to stay attached to the windows. in the texas heat they tended to release from the glass in the mark I boats. I will say the the folks a zocor have been more than helpful about send the little tabs used to hold the blinds in place. And i have cleaned the windows prior to applying the tabs, as they suggested. it may just be the size of the windows or the glass, regardless in the long run they haven't held up. or i guess i should say they haven't stayed up. the shades seem to be very sturdy.
fwiw.
Mike Hogan
s/v ciscocat #226
Mike Hogan
s/v Ciscocat #226
Mark I XP25, std rig
I used the peek-a-boo blinds on my C30 and had the same problem with them falling off. The Zacor people said it was the adhesive they used at the time that was at fault and they sent me new tabs but it was still a pain.
One thing to consider with them, which I didn't realize until I got them, is that there are two panels with stripes for each window. One panel slides over the other and, if the stripes overlay each other, the shades are "open". If they are side by side, they are closed. The end result is that the windows are either fully blocked or they are "half" open. You will never have a full view thru the window as long as you have the shades attached to the glass. I didn't particularly care for them for that reason.
Chuck Parker
HelenRita 2072 Mk II
2002 Tall Rig - Winged Keel
Atlantic Highlands, NJ
Chris:
The window shades that you got are they the pleated fabric style? We have some that we got from Home Depot a few yrs back. I found the info on the 34 web site actually, I am surprised that Stu did not mention it. It tells you all you need to know and how to make them. I think you will be in joy when you read it.
Randy
[URL="http://www.c34.org/projects/kindred-spirit/shades.html"]http://www.c34.org/projects/kindred-spirit/shades.html[/URL]
Randy Sherwood
Mutualfun 1990 # 1057
T/R W/K M35a
Home. Charlotte, Mi.
Boat. St Augustine,Fl.
[Randy,
I have not been successful in finding the pleated shades. I am still looking. Your post is the direction I am leaning towards. All I have to do now it to find the shades. The directions you posted are great and gives me what I need. I will keep everyone posted on my quest...
Thanks again,
Chris
The window shades that you got are they the pleated fabric style? We have some that we got from Home Depot a few yrs back. I found the info on the 34 web site actually, I am surprised that Stu did not mention it. It tells you all you need to know and how to make them. I think you will be in joy when you read it.
Randy
[URL="http://www.c34.org/projects/kindred-spirit/shades.html"]http://www.c34.org/projects/kindred-spirit/shades.html[/URL][/QUOTE]
Chris Stewart
S/V "24~7"
1984 Catalina 36 Tall
Hull #251 M25
(SF Bay) Alameda, CA
Pat, I looked up the name of the company of the shades that I purchased for the V-Berth and the main salon. The company name is [B][COLOR="Indigo"]oceanair [/COLOR][/B]and the style is [I][B]Portshade[/B][/I]. They fit perfectly and look great!
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B
I have attended the Strictly Sail Show in Chicago and always enjoyed it. I hope that you will be able to purchase one at a show price, you'll be able to save a load of money. I should have photos published here on the 36 web site soon. Like they say a picture is worth a thousand words.
Glenn Druhot
Carpe Diem
New Bern, NC
35* 6' 10" N / 77* 2' 30" W
2001 C36, Hull #1965
Std Rig; Wing Keel; M35B