Multiple Windows on New Hull Designs

…who needs large “side windows” anyway ...a couple of large high definition TV screens in the cabins/crew areas will do the trick, given the time spent inside looking out compared to actually being outside enjoying the scenery…

A couple of high definition cameras on the outside could even offer a slight panoramic view of the scenery outside, or perhaps chose your own view. Why not a view forward.

When you finally end up in bed and want to catch up on your favourite TV series (yes, I’m old ;-) , the 40 inch screen tucked away suddenly seem small and at the wrong viewing angle ...after all, we are not talking about boarding the main deck windows... ;-)

From a design perspective the design might benefit from it, would less is more work in this case?

Thank you, Brian!

Yes, she is a 56 meter Catamaran.
I only have this image at the moment.

If Tom Perkins wasn’t sailing with angels, that square rig cat could be his next 'capitol venture'. Exceptional design, Mike!

Tom was one of our original founding members and provided guidance in the early years. We had a mutual interest in translational lift and met at Markham park to fly one afternoon. Stayed in touch throughout the build of the Maltese Falcon resulting in this review…

https://www.yachtforums.com/review/perini-navi-289-clipper-yacht-maltese-falcon.13488/

At full heel, the side of the Falcon ran submerged. Not a place for windows.

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Thank you very much, Carl!

Carl, this picture above is exactly the reason, the admiral is forcing me to build a catamaran, if I want to continue sailing (with my family)! Slooping floors and water running across the side deck are the reason, she hates sailing monohulls. Btw. a great picture!

I'm a dog lover but Cats are practical. As a hull form it favors windows cause Cats don't heel (pun intended).

Resurrecting this thread since I've been thinking about downsizing and going to a faster boat. Pretty much all of the candidates that were built in the past 10 years or so have the large hull-side windows and the thought crossed my mind that they are a potential source of either minor leaks or catastrophic failure.

Have any of you heard reports of these large side windows leaking or blowing out, other than the catamaran mentioned in the article cited above? Is it something to really be concerned about on, say, a Sunseeker, Absolute, Riviera or Princess?

Blowing out not really. But they do have occasional small leakage problems in the first years, and I have seen one or two with some hairline cracks.
I think the technology is not new anymore, like it was in the mid-noughties....
I do not know if this is better or worse, you know when confidence arrives, cost cutting bean counting exercise comes after it.... (lets try this cheaper glass which is not class certified)
Also its worth to mention that a planning motor boat at over twenty knots in flat seas will have the structural pressures, that a sailing boat will have in rough seas, so things usually show up fairly quick.

I am not a big fan of them, and I actually think (am sure) we are going over the top with this hull glazing.
Might as well build all of glass so you can see me when I am in the bathroom....

The only saved category seems to be sportfishing yachts, but then those go to another extreme as they do have the classic port holes.

Thanks. Since I'm looking at 4+ year-old boats, hopefully any construction issues have been addressed.

Do you know if these are a continuing maintenance item? I have assumed they are but trying to confirm, and, if so, how much work it entails.

I'm of the same mind about hull side windows. Just looks like you're asking for problems.

On the other hand, modern automobile windshields are remarkable leak free given the stresses of driving 100,000 miles and the hot/cold cycles that they endure. In some cases, the windshield is a part of the structure of the vehicle.