Catalina Direct Window Shades

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Sean Guiltinan
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Joined: 7/23/19
Posts: 2
Catalina Direct Window Shades

Does anybody have any experience with the window shades they sell on Catalinadirect.com?  I know there have been some posts on DIY solutions, but the Catalinadirect shades seem like a relatively affordable way of knocking a boat task off my list quickly.  I have a MK1, 1986 C36 and I am sailing in Southern California.

Sean Guiltinan
Alolkoy
1986 C36 mk1 Hull# 623 M25XPB
Ventura, Ca

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Pgutierrez
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Joined: 5/14/12
Posts: 231

Sean, I have used the shades from Catalina Direct (CD).   CD was very responsive in after sale service on some issues I had installing the blinds.  It’s a little tricky to put in the snaps correctly-I destroyed a few of the snaps and asked CD to send me replacements, which they promptly did at now charge.   I have learned there are suttle differences in snaps and the male & females must be identical.  I found it helpful to snap the sets together before installing them to make sure the pair was compatible.   I found it a challenging install-do ALL the small windows first to build up your skill set before tackling the bigger windows.  Because the big windows are wider towards the aft than the bow side of the windows, and the big shades are rectangular cut (not angle cut) the narrow end needs to be tweaked - I will be attempting to sew a few of the pleats at the front (bow side) of the window to deal with the extra fabric.  
Again, very pleased with service by CD, but a little tricky to install.  Buy a set of quality snap pliers to help in the install.  Fabric and hobby stores sell the snap pliers - maybe CD does too (ask them).  Best of luck.

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

Wally-1840
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Joined: 11/9/09
Posts: 117

Hi Peter,
I have Hull 1840. Those Velcro shades have driven me nuts for years. Do your replacement shades mount, (screw), up into the overhead like the original? Also, Is there way too much pleated material overall, so they sag out after awhile when closed?
thanks,
Wally

Wally
"Onanne"
2000 MKII, deep keel, tall rig
​Lake Champlain
 

Sean Guiltinan
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Joined: 7/23/19
Posts: 2

Thanks for the info Peter.  I think I'll explore some other options or just leave them bare for awhile.  There's a product by Zarcor called Clozures that looks interesting as well.

Sean Guiltinan
Alolkoy
1986 C36 mk1 Hull# 623 M25XPB
Ventura, Ca

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Pgutierrez
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Joined: 5/14/12
Posts: 231

Wally, 
Yes, the excess pleats in time sag, the bigger the window, the worse the sagging.  The fact that the bigger windows are not perfect rectangles creates a challenge.  To deal with the excess pleats, I plan on bringing color match thread and try sewing together the ends of a few of the sagging pleat end.  No doubt, screwing in the pleat at the top of the window is a challenge.
On my previous boat (Catalina 30) we tried plastic sliding shades “Peak a Boo shutters” and had issues with the shutters not sticking to the window. 
 

peter g

2000 C36, MK2, Hull. #1897
wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ! ! !.   5 th Catalina

 

 

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