Hey Y'all - I sure could use some fresh ideas here: I'm hoping to begin a project to enclose my pilot house this summer and would appreciate any suggestions for the windows and doors. Budget is the biggest issue. I have solid bulkheads up to waist high and a solid, well supported overhead. So what I intend to do is enclose the top half with windows and a couple doors. My first choice would be to find salvaged-used since size is entirely flexible and then build the walls to fit whatever I find. I live in central Kentucky and my boat is on the gulf in South Texas. If anyone knows of any salvage yards in between, that would be a good starting point. Otherwise, I was thinking of buying bulk Plexiglas or mar-resistant acrylic and making frames too. I'd consider laminated glass, but that seems a bit pricey from what I've seen. I got a quote for "made windows" in frames, but that's a last resort price-wise. Any thoughts on the matter would be sincerely appreciated. We're brainstorming so nothing is too silly or sardonic. - Tom m/v Refugio

"Tom Hofmann" <TomHofmann@insightbb.com> writes: >I got a quote for "made windows" in frames, but that's a last resort >price-wise. For what it's worth: if you are willing to consider some flexibility on the actual size and layout of the windows, I would recommend that you give a call to the larger manufacturers (e.g. Sea Glaze, Bomon, etc.). They often have a stash of returns/misorders/scratch-n-dent, etc. When I was doing the pilothouse on Island Eagle I did this and there were some incredible deals (like 75% off list). I never did end up using them, but it's worth a call. When I called Sea Glaze they sent me a fax of the sizes and shapes they had lying around. Scott Welch FirstClass Product Manager www.firstclass.com Those who make no mistakes rarely make anything.