Looking for heavy MIL plastic for boat windows

[Old Ironmaker]

We always have a few boat projects lined up in the winter not as a business but for our own boats amongst the guys. Southern Ontario winters are far too long and we need to keep busy. I tried searching here on iboats for a heavy MIL plastic that we can cut and sew to make replacement windows for 2 different boats. Can I buy it by the roll here from iboats or can someone suggest a source for the materials? We have an Industrial sewing machine and can operate it. Zippers are available locally that are of good quality, similar to Taylor Made. My search skills suck as I haven't seen anything here on iboats.com yet.

Note mods: Should I move this to general topics not including engines for best results? Please advise.

 

[Watermann]

If you're looking at replacing the windows in vinyl enclosures then you're looking for clear vinyl not plastic. A google search for the material will yield your best results and it's available in different gauges.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Thank you Waterman, of course vinyl not "plastic". I told you my search skills suck.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Most marine enclosures use isinglass or equivalent

 

[GA_Boater]

This forum section is OK, Iron.

Searching the iBOATS store for window vinyl has proved fruitless. Ebay and Amazon look like they have a few choices and few other places.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=boat+window+vinyl

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Thanks for your help guys. In the last hour I have learned more about vinyl window materials than I have learned in a lifetime. I have sourced a dealer in Ontario that carries every fabric for auto and marine restoration known to Man.

I have learned that Marine window vinyl is measured in Gauge not MIL. It seems to run from the thinnest at 14 Gauge to thickest at 40 Gauge. The clearer the vinyl the more you will pay for it. I don't want to give the link here because iboats.com offers many of the products I believe that they do and I must respect the site. I'm not positive if I can offer that info via PM or not so I won't unless I'm told differently by any of the Moderators.

 

[GA_Boater]

What happens in PMs stays in PMs. :smile:

 

[Scott Danforth]

GA, arent you the black sheep of the mods? or is that Bondo? LOL

 

[GA_Boater]

GA, arent you the black sheep of the mods? or is that Bondo? LOL

Twins maybe? LOL

We don't care what happens in PMs as long as a member isn't calling another a black sheep. We have no way of knowing unless the alleged black sheep touches base with us. Harassment is not acceptable and if we know about it, it can be dealt with.

 

[64osby]

​I replaced the vinyl in the dodger cover on my Mariner a few years ago. It was not really that difficult. There are some tricks that help.

Think it is on page 8 of my Mariner thread if you want to look.

Have fun with your projects.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

What happens in PMs stays in PMs. :smile:

Thanks Georgia Boater.

If there are any Canucks that are sourcing vinyl for replacement windows in Ontario PM me.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

​I replaced the vinyl in the dodger cover on my Mariner a few years ago. It was not really that difficult. There are some tricks that help.

Think it is on page 8 of my Mariner thread if you want to look.

Have fun with your projects.

Thank you mate. Can never learn enough tricks. I'll take a look. I talked to my wife today as she will most likely doing the sewing and even tough the cost of using good Velcro is more than good Taylor Made zippers the Velcro is much easier to sew and use. She hasn't used zippers on any of her cushions for years she said. My windows on my camper top have been used once only and by me, what a pain. The zipper on the top protection wrap for the camper hardware and cover sleeve I would call it has been used maybe a dozen times as well, the zipper is stuck and will not come off. I will (she) be replacing the zipper with Velcro. The other windows are fine, I don't see me ever using them since I found 6 snakes on board one morning when we woke up. I nor she will ever sleep on that boat again, never ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

edit: 64osby, I went through your thread, great job. A very close friend and the guy that talked me into this long line trolling for Walleye on Erie, I'll never forgive him, has the identical and exactly the same boat as yours with 90 Mariner. His father in law bought it new at the Toronto Boat Show. I have the 1995 StarCraft Superfisherman 190 with a 115 Mariner and matching 15 kicker. Us Star Gazers need to stick together.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Take old birthday candles and run on the teeth of the zippers. It gets rid of old birthday candles and it lubricated the teeth on the zippers preventing them from getting stuck.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

That makes sence Scott, never heard of doing that.

 

[Woodonglass]

Are the zippers metal?? If so you can use #10 Nylon Marine Grade zippers and they WON'T give you future problems. Cost is about $1.50 a foot.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Are the zippers metal?? If so you can use #10 Nylon Marine Grade zippers and they WON'T give you future problems. Cost is about $1.50 a foot.

No they are plastic or nylon Taylor Made.

 

[bruceb58]

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Textiles/Clear_Vinyl/index.html

What kind of sewing machine are you using?

 

[Old Ironmaker]

I don't know the name of my wife's machine of hand. Brother comes to mind. It is over at the shop. It is a very good commercial unit.

Thanks for all the replies. I have sourced the clear window vinyl locally for a very fair price. 30 gauge clear for 127.00 CDN a running yard. Crystal clear 40 gauge at $220.00 Canadian, that's around $163.00 USD. If any Canucks are looking for clear vinyl PM me for the vendor info. These prices are better than some US suppliers.

 

[bruceb58]

I don't know the name of my wife's machine of hand. Brother comes to mind. It is over at the shop. It is a very good commercial unit.

Thanks for all the replies. I have sourced the clear window vinyl locally for a very fair price. 30 gauge clear for 127.00 CDN a running yard. Crystal clear 40 gauge at $220.00 Canadian, that's around $163.00 USD. If any Canucks are looking for clear vinyl PM me for the vendor info. These prices are better than some US suppliers.

That sounds VERY expensive. Did you see my link?

 

[Old Ironmaker]

That sounds VERY expensive. Did you see my link?

Yes Bruce but I only see prices for sample swatches. I'm almost positive the prices quoted are for a 4"X4" sample. Nothing is 5 bucks a yard anymore.