Darkening up the cabin for sleep.

Mittens

Active Member
Mar 5, 2017
610
Huntsville, AL
Boat Info
2002 340 Sundancer, All Cherry Cabin, Black Canvas.
Engines
8.1 Mercs, V Drives, 4.5kw Westerbeke.
i personally like to sleep in total darkness. Especially if sleeping later after a long night with good friends.
My 340 has sun shades/screens on the deck hatches, that do awesome but what I found was the side “potholes” whole lightly tinted, and have a curtain still glow. And are to bright for my tastes. Last year I tried removing them and using automotive taillight spray tint. It was no good, then pealed it and tried black Plato dip. It worked a lot better. But even after 6-7 costs.. in direct light you can see light.. it was a lot darker though.. but Also you can see the paints defects in off glowing.

So I peeled them again, and got some black vinyl. Applied 2 layers.. and finally. DARKNESS. And they look better. Can’t even tell they are custom, just a black port yole. And the vinyl hold up to the latches where th plasti dip scratches.

Anyway just sharing an idea.
 

Attachments

  • 0AD726C6-FC8D-4309-A003-69E24810DDFF.jpeg
    0AD726C6-FC8D-4309-A003-69E24810DDFF.jpeg
    87.7 KB · Views: 189
  • 47B37A77-F74B-4CA2-8D99-7488B0372D6A.jpeg
    47B37A77-F74B-4CA2-8D99-7488B0372D6A.jpeg
    106.7 KB · Views: 170
  • C89E532E-05C8-483B-A1E3-F0E1211CCA89.jpeg
    C89E532E-05C8-483B-A1E3-F0E1211CCA89.jpeg
    120.5 KB · Views: 170
Also somethjng to note this is all on the inside, the outside is still just the window like stock, shiny plexti glass but now black like limo tint.
 
Also somethjng to note this is all on the inside, the outside is still just the window like stock, shiny plexti glass but now black like limo tint.


I like the idea but I think I would want a solution that could be easily reversible when needed such as a cover of some sort that could be installed and removed as desired.....I have found stuffing pillows from the bed in front of the portholes does a pretty good job of blocking the sunlight.....

cliff
 
Why not just new curtains made out of a room darkener fabric ?

-Kevin
 
Pillows in front of the portholes work for me. Gets so dark that I can’t tell if it’s day or night.
 
A common complaint about Sundancer/Express-type boats is being "in the hole." I would be looking for ways to get more light in than less.

Just buy a sleep mask....
 
A common complaint about Sundancer/Express-type boats is being "in the hole." I would be looking for ways to get more light in than less.

Just buy a sleep mask....
I like to have as much natural light as possible, and can sleep through pretty much anything, so blacking out the hatches and portholes isn't high on my priorities. FM wakes up to daylight, though; I had given him a sleep mask to use at home and he liked it so much I got him one for the boat, too. Works well for us because if he wakes during the night, he can take off the mask and still find his way to the head.
 
Another vote for an eye mask.

You’ll get better quality sleep at home too!
 
A common complaint about Sundancer/Express-type boats is being "in the hole." I would be looking for ways to get more light in than less.

Just buy a sleep mask....

I also hear that complaint. On the other hand I hear owners of bridge boats complain about being in a fish bowl while in the salon as well as complaining of being left alone on the bridge while underway. Me, I like my express. Privacy down below and everyone together while underway. To each their own.
 
I was not asking you guys for more ideas! Hahaha

I was just passing along the info that vinyl works better then tint or plati dip... and that I love it. If you like light this is not a mod for you! And I am not sleeping in a mask.. I have a blacked bedroom too. When I get up I open the deck hatch blockouts and have all the light I need.

And you can peal the vinyl off if you ever need to go back.
 
We have vinyl backed canvas hatch covers and pillow over the port holes.
 
I am going to have one more beer ...and go to bed with the light's on... :)
 
Last edited:
A common complaint about Sundancer/Express-type boats is being "in the hole." I would be looking for ways to get more light in than less.

Just buy a sleep mask....
That was always an issue for me, but my current boat is different.
I think Sea Ray realized the problem and took steps to make it better.
Between the 3 hatches (Master, Salon, Forward head), the side portholes, and the skylight in the main part of the salon my cabin is very bright with natural light.
 
That was always an issue for me, but my current boat is different.
I think Sea Ray realized the problem and took steps to make it better.
Between the 3 hatches (Master, Salon, Forward head), the side portholes, and the skylight in the main part of the salon my cabin is very bright with natural light.


I don't have any complaints about the amount of natural light in my 340DA either.....we just open all the curtains and hatch covers and the cabin gets plenty enough light in for us.....it helps a lot if the cabin door can also be left open.....

cliff
 
Slept on it Saturday and was great.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,877
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top