My 2009 26M, how to buy accessories?

[Russ]

Macgregor changed the windows in 2008 (my boat's model year) to remove the frames. Rumor has it that they were problematic in either construction or warping later on. I'm not exactly sure why they changed them.
But I don't think you can just add the frames. I think the windows were modified somewhat and the frames won't work on newer model years.

As for Blue Water Yachts, I've noticed they don't seem to turn the computer on very often. Cheryl will post here on an irregular basis. I remember when I bought my boat from them, the emails were spotty. However, they have always answered the phone (except the 1 day they are closed). I think they do business old school and don't rely on the Internet although they should.

[Highlander]

here's a vid of my 2008 M the window liner has a nicer tapered finish to it so adding wooden window frames as a decoritive accent I think will look OK I have already bought the mateiral to do the overhead cubby cabinets also the inner cutouts from the window frames could then be used as shutters over the windows in the evening for privacy
http://s235.photobucket.com/albums/ee20 ... 010012.mp4

J

[MacTommy]

My boat is 2009, as mentioned. And does not have the frames. Same tapered finish as Highlanders video.

I went for inspections at some 2007's before I bought my boat, and they all had those frames. I guessed frames was some kind of option, and could be mounted later on. But I can not guarantee to be correct. Hope BWY will have some info on this, seem to be more than just me wondering.

One reflection:
My boat had a leak. I suspected the windows, but water was entering in one of the fastening points for the rail holding the sliding cabin hatch. Water then ran out to the side and dripped from the top edge of the upper forward window. Easily corrected with SicaFlex, though. If I had mounted such frames, I imagine no visible dripping. Water would have gone with the frame, between the windows and into the wall carpet to the pillows underneath. I would have gotten a whole lot more water in pillows and carpets before discovering what was going on.

(Just preparing to convince my admiral to drop those frames, I know.)

[Miss_Dallie]

My Mac is 2011, I didn't know that older models had window frames. The look is appealing. I think I'll put this on my "something to consider" list. Window coverings of some sort is also good fodder for the gray matter, something I hadn't considered.

I don't think BWY will have window frames...perhaps there's a possible penny to be earned here, any carpenters out there?

Ron
Miss Dallie

[MacTommy]

Update:
Still no response from BWY. Tried to call them a couple of times, but they seem to open phone line only in the hours I really need my power nap here in Norway...
I tried to get the boomkicker from two other companies, no luck. I guess emailing from the other side of the world is a guarantee for getting stuck in american spam filtering, or something.

I finally decided to call one of the other companies I have sent email to, and ended up talking to Karisa at macgregorowners.com
Very serviceminded and patient salesperson, forgiving my funny accent and far from excellent spoken english language. They sure will get me the boomkicker and the kit of battens. My compliments for taking time and avoiding misunderstandings.

And when she confirms this order in writing, I will try to add the window frames to the discussion as well. I sort of gave up on those, concluding that those were only available on the older versions. (Most important, admiral think so too by now... ) For the holding tank, I guess there are no specialties only for M26, so I will find something here in Norway. No need to bring that into the discussion until otherwise proved...

But if succesfull with the window frames, I for sure will post here and let you know. If the windowframes can not be delivered for my boat, I consider myself handy enough to make them myself, if really wanting them so bad. But sshh, don't tell the admiral.

[MacTommy]

Yet another update, thanks to the faboulus Karisa at macgregorowners.com

Those by-now-incredible-famous-frames for the cabin windows went out of production several years ago. No hope for buying on the aftermarket.
And the holding tanks were never mounted by the factory, only dealers and general agents. So no quick-fix available there.

I have to point out once again that I have never been met with such an excellent level of genuine service mindedness. Karisa even looked up the norwegian general agent for Doyle Sails for me, because she was worried for the shipping cost for such inexpensive parts as the kit of battens. Left me kind of speechless for a while...

Told her not to worry. Norway is among the most expensive places in the world, and I have bought exhaust systems, drive axles and stuff like that from USA before, and discovered that local freight inside Norway cost three times the shipping from across the world... But still half price compared to buying exactly same parts in Norway. And now, I have a shipping agent delivering all the way from US to my door.

But still, this is the first time I wish I could email someone a beer. Would be the least I could do for that kind of service level. Not very common in Europe, maybe except for France.

[Highlander]

No Problem i doit all the time
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http ... CF8Q9QEwBA

J

[Y.B.Normal]

Instead of worrying about getting the window frames, convince the admiral to install curtains. They really dress up the
boat, and hide the fact that the windows are frameless.

Dale

[seahouse]

It’s been a while since I looked into the frame thing, but it’s my recollection that the windows were at one time mounted with long screws from the outside that went through and screwed into the (MDF, I think) frames.

So the frame served as a base for the window-mounting screws to thread into. There were problems with this (expansion and contraction variations between the different materials I would guess), and what is done now, I assume (I haven’t inspected or taken one apart), is that a mounting boss of some sort is moulded directly into the fiberglass material itself, on fabrication.

As I recall, the frames look great in photos, but when you look at them closer and in the flesh, not so much.

Ditto, Dale, on the curtains. Or blinds. And the frames would make installing these flush more difficult.

-Brian

[robbarnes1965]

It’s been a while since I looked into the frame thing, but it’s my recollection that the windows were at one time mounted with long screws from the outside that went through and screwed into the (MDF, I think) frames.

So the frame served as a base for the window-mounting screws to thread into. There were problems with this (expansion and contraction variations between the different materials I would guess), and what is done now, I assume (I haven’t inspected or taken one apart), is that a mounting boss of some sort is moulded directly into the fiberglass material itself, on fabrication.

As I recall, the frames look great in photos, but when you look at them closer and in the flesh, not so much.

Ditto, Dale, on the curtains. Or blinds. And the frames would make installing these flush more difficult.

-Brian

I have the wood(term used loosely) frames and can attest to the different components expanding and contracting differently. Particle board, Masonite veneer and plastic boarder make up the frames. I don't understand why they would do the plastic boarder rather than the Masonite strip boarder that would stay better. At first look and from a distance they are nice but up close not so much. Having done a few extended trips - last years's Rideau Canal trip in particular where I have been tied up over night in places with passers-by, I would advise to make curtains the must have option rather than frames. I'm with you Brian that without frames the curtains will be more flush and will look better too.

Rob

Rob

[MacTommy]

Thanks a lot for the response, folks.

I seem to remember I used the term "imitated wood" in the beginning of the thread. But curtains will be fine, I think.

[seahouse]

Incidentally - I just checked my windows tonight - the bosses that I had hoped to see don't exist. It appears as though the primary function of the screws, while they would also absorb some lateral shear, is to hold the windows in place while the bedding adhesive sets. (Hope they used enough)!

Also - the windows in my 2011are borderless and, as I found out tonight, easy to inspect for leaks in the windows.

Hey Rob- agree - and curtains also warm up the look of the interior.

- Brian