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nilesrob · 07-22-2007, 10:31 AM

We just ordered a new 2008 27FB International Ocean Breeze, and the shades that come standard are, in our opinion, not of very good quality or functionality. You may see from the picture they have a very nice profile when in the up position, but they are binary - either all the way up or all the way down. Plus, they are made of a vinal that when in the down position would not allow much/any air to pass, and virtually no visibility looking out.

The question is: what experience have people had with installing either blinds or shades on the side windows that allow privacy and/or protection from the sun, yet allow air flow. We are thinking about installing blinds, but we are open to ideas!

TomW · 07-22-2007, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nilesrob

... Plus, they are made of a vinal that when in the down position would not allow much/any air to pass, and virtually no visibility looking out...

I'm not trying to get smart, but if you want air flow or visibility, why not open the blinds?

Tom

cosmotini · 07-22-2007, 12:45 PM

The trailer doesn't have blinds. They are vinyl shades that roll up/down.
The problem is they can only be fully extracted or fully retracted.

TomW · 07-22-2007, 12:54 PM

Thanks Dennis - I get it now.

Tom

craftsman · 07-22-2007, 01:30 PM

Take a look at AhoyCaptain.com Boating Equipment and Accessories You may have to type in Oceanair in the search. Someone post this link recently and the blinds look pretty nice. You could also have your dealer install the day/night shades like in the Classics. Are you moving down from a 34' to a 27'?

Tim A. · 07-22-2007, 05:11 PM

I think I may have been the one to post the Oceanair shades at (Oceanair Shades & Screens at AhoyCaptain.com. It sounds to me like you do not want that type of shade.

We put a silver microblind over one window in our Bambi several years ago. We set it up so that it can be solidly fastened at the bottom, slopes correctly along the wall, and does not bang around, but can be opened and closed. It also can still be completely drawn up to expose the window entirely. Is that the sort of thing you are thinking about?

nilesrob · 07-22-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim A.

I think I may have been the one to post the Oceanair shades at (Oceanair Shades & Screens at AhoyCaptain.com. It sounds to me like you do not want that type of shade.

We put a silver microblind over one window in our Bambi several years ago. We set it up so that it can be solidly fastened at the bottom, slopes correctly along the wall, and does not bang around, but can be opened and closed. It also can still be completely drawn up to expose the window entirely. Is that the sort of thing you are thinking about?

Tim, thanks. Sounds like the microblind is likely the direction we will head. We want to preserve the panoramic view while still giving ourselves privacy or shade from the sun.

cosmotini · 07-22-2007, 05:32 PM

Tim,

Do you remember which microblind you used?

Tim A. · 07-22-2007, 06:19 PM

I just checked and it is a Hunter-Douglas and we ordered the specific size from some internet supplier. Attached are a couple of photos which might help someone decide if this is the way they would like to go. They show the right, lower bracket (self-made) which holds the blind down, but also allows it to be unhooked and raised completely.

Foiled Again · 07-22-2007, 07:03 PM

I've got the Safari SE which comes with the CCD style windows and standard mini-blinds. As several people have noted, there are problems with a side gap that can allow outsiders to gaze in. I replaced the plastic hold downs with Velcro on the bottom of the shades to get them to to hang closer to the wall, but on several shades the window operators or the window locks actually cause the shades to bulge away from the wall. In the bedroom both side windows are stacked on top of the oval vista view windows which don't open so the window lock for the top window holds the shade a bit away from the glass. In a moment of creative insanity I took some black elastic and tied it between the window operators (the thingies that let you prop the windows open at three differnt heights). This holds the middle of the blind more snugly to the window.

I've got to say that the old roll ups were less problem on the CCD - and that while the mini blinds look very cool, they are a pain in the butt to keep dusted.

Paula

mello mike · 07-23-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim A.

I just checked and it is a Hunter-Douglas and we ordered the specific size from some internet supplier. Attached are a couple of photos which might help someone decide if this is the way they would like to go. They show the right, lower bracket (self-made) which holds the blind down, but also allows it to be unhooked and raised completely.

Tim, which internet supplier did you go with to order the Hunter-Douglas blinds?

Tim A. · 07-23-2007, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Tim, which internet supplier did you go with to order the Hunter-Douglas blinds?

Clueless as to what supplier. It was a couple of years ago and I kept no record of the supplier. I think I found them at that time simply by googling "micro-blinds."

InsideOut · 07-23-2007, 02:22 PM

We ordered our aluminum micro-mini Levelor blinds online from Blinds Galore

Shari

HiHoAgRV · 07-23-2007, 02:38 PM

I'll toss in a suggestion - if you have a MH, use vinyl. The metal ones rattle going down the road. They will drive you bonkers!

mello mike · 07-23-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

We ordered our aluminum micro-mini Levelor blinds online from Blinds Galore

Shari

Thanks, Shari.

mello mike · 07-23-2007, 03:39 PM

Shari,
Which color did you order? Don't see a "silver" choice there.

InsideOut · 07-23-2007, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

Shari,
Which color did you order? Don't see a "silver" choice there.

Hmmm...you're right. I know I ordered #31 Polished Aluminum but it was back in 2002 so you may have to call them to see if it's still available. It is from Levelor...not sure if Blinds Galore still offers that color though...sorry.

BTW, it looks like they sell Hunter Douglas & other brands too.

Shari

nilesrob · 07-23-2007, 07:36 PM

Someone mentioned OceanAir a ways back. I looked at their shades and they have one that looks like what we had in our Classic. So the world turns...

JimWeilhammer · 07-28-2007, 11:02 AM

I recently purchased new Vista View trim rings and blinds that are used in the new Ocean Breeze Airstreams. How are the blinds attached to the window trim? The tech guys said they are riveted to the trim or screwed into the trim. How can you adjust them if they are screwed into the trim. The shades are made by United Shade in Elkhart, Indiana.

nilesrob · 07-28-2007, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Weilhamm

I recently purchased new Vista View trim rings and blinds that are used in the new Ocean Breeze Airstreams. How are the blinds attached to the window trim? The tech guys said they are riveted to the trim or screwed into the trim. How can you adjust them if they are screwed into the trim. The shades are made by United Shade in Elkhart, Indiana.

We just ordered an Intl Ocean Breeze, but they don't come with blinds. Instead, they come with shades that secure below the window when fully extended. The shade is somehow secured slightly above and outside of the window trim (I believe) - they may possibly be riveted; my thought would be they are screwed into the sidewall.

As a special order, the factory is going to install blinds (same as from the Safari SE I am told), at some additional (but unknown yet) cost to us.