Cabin privacy curtains

RicksAmigo1 · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 9:21 am Post subject: Cabin privacy curtains

We like to camp out on the boat a lot, even off the water between destinations. Anyone have any ideas on some economical privacy curtains for the cabin?
Pat and Rick
The Amigo

MichaelOnTheClaraMae · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 4:07 pm Post subject:

I don't know how economical they are, but my CD25 came with snap-on curtins made from sail material. They provide privacy while still letting the light in and the material is just about indestructible.

Chuck S · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 6:52 pm Post subject:

You don't want sail material as it's dacron/kevlar and stiff as a board.

Sail cover material, on the other hand, especially Sunbrella, is the preferred material for this application. The "canvas" on my camper trailer is Sunbrella, as is my full mooring cover. Sunbrella will last years fully exposed to the weather, won't fade, and breathes to let moisture out.

B~C · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 7:57 pm Post subject:

For a set of cheap window coverings, march on down to fabric store and pick out any old fabric that catches your eye. Grab the fabric and and bunch of snaps and you're set. Just remove about every fourth window frame screw, stick a male snap on it and screw it back in, run the sewing machine around your fabric and thow some snaps in it and...poof....$40 window covers

C-Hawk · Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2003 8:02 pm Post subject:

Check out the window covers for Fishtales

RicksAmigo1 · Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:56 pm Post subject: Cabin Privacy curtains

Ken,
I went and got the snaps and such, but the screws on the windows are too big and won't work with the snaps so I'll have to find new screws. It's a good idea, though. I'll let you know how they turn out. Thanks
Pat

B~C · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 1:30 am Post subject:

AW, you can just grind the head down on the screws if needed...you always wanted a bench grinder didn't you?....Sis lives in Fruitland, you anywhere near there?

RicksAmigo1 · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 9:22 am Post subject: Cabin Privacy Curtains

Ken,

Right........I'll just tell my grandkids......"Grandma wants bench grinder for Christmas". Fruitland is about 3 hours northwest of here.
Pat

Laughing

TyBoo · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 10:49 am Post subject:

Chuck up the screws in a drill motor for grinding the heads. Works great. If you have a bench grinder, just put the screw head against the stone while running the drill. Or, if your grandkids won't get you the durn grinder, you can hold a file against the screw head while running the drill. Keeps them round that way.

We got lucky and found the snaps with the screws built in.

B~C · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 12:34 pm Post subject:

if you want to throw those screws in the mail I'll give them the treatment for ya........you must live near (as in a lot nearer than us) Owhyee country, ever hit the lake there? great place

jimandlaurie · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 1:06 pm Post subject:

Ok Pat & Rick,
Here's my experience in snaps.

I tried to grind down the factory screws. I am obviously not a good machinist. I couldn't get them to work because the height of the the screw head was higher that the snap, so there wasn't enough room for it to actually snap together.

Even after grinding the head lower, the snap would work but then there was nothing left for the screw driver to "bite" on to screw them back in to place with.

What I ended up doing is getting the screw/snap combos like Tyboo did,and they worked great.

Cheers · Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2003 1:44 pm Post subject:

Boater's World, West Marine, or Fisherman's all have snap/screw combos.

RicksAmigo1 · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:24 am Post subject: Cabin Privacy Curtains

Mike - Tyboo
They have a lot of different fastener items in West Marine catalog. Is this the kit I would use? Can't tell from the photo.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=59243
Pat

RicksAmigo1 · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:31 am Post subject: Cabin Privacy Curtains

Ken,
Thanks for your offer, you're so kind, but I think I would have trouble re-attaching the screws. I'm checking my West Marine catalog now.
Never been to Owyhee Reservoir yet. Looks like it's just over the Oregon border from Boise area. We'll have to check it out. Water has become sparse in Southern Idaho with the drought and all. We spent most of our time cruising the San Juans this summer.
My friends in Fruitland are Rick and Sandie Dickensen. He works at P.O. and she at Coca-Cola.
Thanks again,

TyBoo · Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2003 11:31 am Post subject:

Yep, Rick, that kit looks like it would do it. I was able to find just the punch and anvil alone, and got a handful of snaps. The male snap had the screw built into it, and the female snap comes in two pieces. I got a bunch of the things, and it seemed like it cost quite a bit, but I don't think it was as much as that kit. If you go into a good marine store, they should have whatever you need on the shelf. If you have a choice of snap material (and prices), go for the best grade of stainless. The snaps that were on my 22 when we got it had rusted a little and stained the gelcoat pretty good.