Window Curtains/Covers for a TC255 - Where to buy?

[matt_unique]

To follow up on this thread, I acquired interior curtains from Kings Marine Canvas. The first set did not fit the windows at all. Dave was helpful and went to C-Dory determine the exact sizes and sent replacement curtains that fit perfectly. He also sent the snap kit.

I began the installation process this weekend. You need a snap kit that uses a steel base to hold the snap and to pound the top down with a hammer/special tool. You would not want to do this hammering on your boat. This system works pretty well. It was time consuming because I marked then installed one snap at a time. You would not want to make and install multiple snaps in case you needed to snug up a section before the next snap, etc.

There were a few instances where the male snap head screw was too short to fit into the existing screw holes. For these I will need to grind down the heads on a few existing window screws (that are longer than the snap studs) so it will bite. I only had to do these for three out of about 20 snaps.

For the door, I will need to drill new holes to accept the snap studs. I spoke to Dave who was once again very helpful, he confirmed his experience that the screws around the door frame are thicker and will require new holes. You can't buy larger snap heads to fit inside the snap.

Just curious how the installation experience went for others. It was time consuming for me climbing in and out of the boat via a ladder but they look good.

One comment, I don't know of a single owner who wants to climb to the deck to snap on the curtain. I too installed the snaps to fit on the inside. As a result for the front windshield, some of the snaps locations do not align with the reinforced area. I will make a point to carefully unsnap these areas.

[journey on]

Captain Matt ,

I did what you did: order the canvass from King after we bought the boat, and installed them myself. Actually, when it came time for Judy to sew the inside curtains, she called King Canvass and ordered them. Never told me the price nor did I ask.

It worked out well. I installed more snaps than King sent, so I just bought more. Found out that snaps at Wast Marine cost 6 time more than at the local marine store. Instead of the anvil approach, I bought a set of modified vise-grips from Defender (Grip Fast Kit, P/N 753173,) which were less stressful. This bit of advice is too late, but anyway....

Also, I stripped a couple of holes, with JB Weld to the rescue. I had to get longer screws for the male snaps that screw into the windows (as opposed to the door,) because there's a ridge along the windows and I couldn't snap the canvass. The local industrial supply had nylon standoffs that slid over the long screws and held the male part of the snap out far enough.

I wholeheartedly agree that going outside to install the canvas over the front windows is ridiculous. And even worse is going outside to take it off. I'd like to speak to the dummy who started that. I like the way Dreamer has 3 ea separate covers for the forward windows. I think I'll try that on Judy. Since the forward cover is so long, I used a couple of twist curtain fasteners. They also come with a stud, and support the canvass along the top better than a snap. In my humble opinion.


Post a picture when you're done.

Boris

[Doryman]

[matt_unique]

Thanks for the replies.
Did you guys drill into the door frame to get holes that would accept the snap studs? Any tips/warnings about drilling into the frame? I would of course make sure the new holes are drilled parallel to the existing screws.

[Captains Cat]

Matt, I'm not down at the boat to look but why couldn't you remove a door glass screw and replace it with a snap screw fitting? Even epoxy it in place if necessary?

Charlie

[matt_unique]

[Dreamer]

All the studs we installed went into existing screw holes including the rear door. When you make the cover for the center front window and rear door, save the patterns and also make one out of screen material and bind the edges. Reinforce the corners for snaps too. It is nice to have some ventilation flow through the cabin.

[Captains Cat]

Roger, would you share your source for studs/snaps?

Thanks.

charlie

[Dreamer]

Charlie,

I believe we got them at Fisheries Supply in Seattle but most Chandleries have them. West Marine has them too but at many times retail price (what's new!). www.fisheriessupply.com We used the studs with 1/2" screws attached.

[matt_unique]

[Dreamer]

Matt,

Nope, All the same size throughout the boat. Ours was a replacement door due to a weatherstrip problem. Don't know if that made a difference.

Roger

[thataway]

As Roger, we just pulled screws out of windows and door frame, and put in the studs--has worked fine for us on 3 boats. There are two different size of screws for the snaps (might even be more than 2)--just go for the larger size. I got mine at a commercial upholustry supplier--and have the square jawed Vise Grips, with slip on anvils as noted above, There are fitttings for all of the snaps. This is much better than a hammer and setter over a small anvil.

[matt_unique]

Well I finally had the time to finish the curtain install.

I mentioned the 'bite' problem above. I first tried to grind down existing screws to fit the snap heads but that did not work. To fit over a snap you would need to grind down so much of the screw head you could no longer fit a tool head in there to turn them. For the windows I just decided to remove another screw, verify my existing snaps studs would bite, and voila. Not sure why I did not think of this obvious KISS solution before. The existing snaps were close enough together to make this work.

For the door I drilled 7 new holes. This was not a big deal at all. Once I figured out the best size bit it was a snap.

Finally all the curtains are done. I included a picture in my Napoleon Installations album.

[Captains Cat]

Matt, they look great. Hope to get to mine shortly.

Charlie

[matt_unique]