Hi All - I was getting ready to buy and install brand new curtains and a hanging system in my 26 convertible and have discovered this is not as cut and dry as it appears. Can anyone offer some advice, recommendations, suppliers, tips?? Two areas that seem like they may be a bear to deal with are the two huge front windows. Also, on the side windows near the front the lower side of the window is longer than the top.......yet another issue (i.e. how to cover that lower triangle that would seem to be exposedsince the top track will end short of the total bottom window edge....am I making any sense??)....any ideas on how to handle that would be very welcome. Also, I'd love to see some photos of what you guys have done if possible.
Thank you all for all the great help with the boat......
Bob

I went through the curtain making process. All of the curtains on my project 1988 32' were gone except the plastic ones in the bathroon. Fortunately all of the tracks were still in place. www.Sailrite.com has all of the things you may need for an 1980's Marinette. The system consisted of tracks that hold the ball of little plastic tabs to which the curtain is hung. A line of tabs comes on a fabric ribbon which is sewn across the top of the curtains. You thread these into the tracks. Little screws plug the end of the tracks. The front window problem is solved simply. A track is screwed to the top and botton of the window frame and the curtain is stretched between them. You need some reinforcing fabric tape which is like the tab ribbon but without the tabs. Use this along the top of the angle where a bottom of the curtain is longer than the top. The bottom of this curtain will have a fabric snap to attach to the wall. In fact, you should see attaching points for fabric snaps all around the cabin walls. These were used for curtain holdbacks. They give you an idea of how many curtains were used and how they were laid out.

The project starts with detective work. Look for clues like original track, the tabs and the snap locations to guide your design. If all this is tore out then you can use the sailrite catalog to start from scratch. Make a detailed graph paper drawing of the window areas with careful measurements of the track locations and lengths. Take a complete panoramic set of pictures of all of the window areas. Note impediments on the drawing. My fire extinguisher was in the way of the long curtain on the back of the salon. The inside helm cabinet got in the way of my port side window curtain. Be thorough so the curtains can be made away from the boat.

Now you need the help of a good seamstress. Mine was a generalist not a boat specialist. I bought my fabric locally and I opted for a lot less pleating than on pictures of the original Marinette curtains. I also went with unlined curtains so they were pretty simple. The seamstress was good and fast and had no trouble. She did go to the boat a couple of times for final fittings. She even threw in a couple of matching throw pillows. I challenged her and she may do the skirts on my outside railings. She turned down putting covers on my V-berth cushions. So I may challenge her again.

Marinette made some special curtains out of white plastic sheeting to protect the bathroom cabinets and window area from shower spray. These helped me because they survived and showed the basic construction of the curtain. I also found one surviving holdback which was used as a pattern to make one for each curtain. I may dig out some stuff and attach a picture here later. My curtain stuff is all packed away waiting for me to finish the rest of my boat. This should get you started.

Bob, when I did my express I did what others members had done and ordered mini blinds the size of the windows. the tringle area I used A product from Lowes that is vinel and sticks to the inside of the window and makes it look frosted. Used it in the head & in the small window in the cabin door. my front window I have a white vinel cover that snaps on the outside. With blinds you can open them & let more air in. If you run fast with the windows open, you will have to raise the blinds because they will make a racket as the wind goes thru. I will try to send phots. Wayne, redneck from Tennessee

Along this same line, has anyone had any success with a screen for the front awning windows? We have been trying to figure out something that is permanent and can be opened and closed. The hold open arms seem to be the biggest impediment. We hate to close these windows at night (but not as much as we hate those mosquitoes).

Walt,

I tried all kinds of stuff -- velcro, shock cord, you name it -- for the windshield and finally settled on making folding screens using the aluminum stock that they sell for window screens along with the plastic corner hardware. I used plastic hinge fastened with permanent management tape but if I did it over I would use aluminum piano hinge and poprivet it in place.

I made two sets, a small one that doesn't leak in any weather and a large one to capture as much breeze as possible.

You can see pictures and dimensions at http://s101.photobucket....ose1/Marinette_screens/

I guess if Atlanta draws any more water from Lake Lanier you will need to put wheels under her and go mud bogging. Will still need the screens, tho.

Thanks Doug. I think that is the solution I was looking for. As for the water level, your correct. We have been back in the water for 4 weeks now and are already faced with the prospect of relocating to a new marina or taking the boat out again. Really hurting the marinas and all boat related businesses in the area.

Thanks again for the screen help.

A lady in West Palm Beach took my old curtains
from my 32 and mirror imaged them perfectly.

I noticed that the curtains are a single ply. For a darker and cooler cabin its nice to have a second panel sewn to the outer for those afternoon naps. Just a thought. Dean