Aluminum 2000

Youve probably never wondered where the windows and doors on your Carver yacht came from.  Unless youve had to have one repaired or replaced.  Then, there was probably a mad scramble to find which company made the windows or doors.  You contacted the company only to be told that they discontinued that model window three years ago.  Duct tape looks so tacky on a beautiful boat.

It turns out that a company in Lititz, Pennsylvania makes windows and doors for most of the major yacht manufacturers.  Lititz, PA is in the heart of Amish country, near Lancaster.  The name of the company is Aluminum 2000.

Andy Secker is the company president and son of the founder Phil.  Phil Secker and several of the people at Aluminum 2000 worked at Trojan yachts when they were built near Lancaster.  Trojan yachts closed its plant there and Phil began making extruded aluminum windows, doors, and windshields for the marine industry.  They are industry leaders after more than 20 years in business, mainly because of their innovative designs and high quality work.

Aluminum 2000s designs are the beginning of a final product.  Andy gave me a tour of the design department and manufacturing plant.  Interestingly enough, the boat makers dont send Andy a free boat, without windows, doors, and windshields, to fit the stuff into.  The boat makers send specifications, from which Aluminum 2000 produce a technical drawing.  Then they build a plywood frame that matches the specifications.  The product is manufactured and fit into the frame.  Andy says that windows are tough  if you twist the frame, the window will not open  but doors are really tough.  Doors have to be fit and made plumb so they will work properly.  The aluminum frame is stretched as it is bent, to keep the metal from wrinkling.  Wrinkled metal frames dont seal well.

You may be asking what value this gives you.  It turns out that Aluminum 2000 can use the same approach that they use for making products for boat makers in making your replacement windows, doors, and windshields.  If you send them the right information, they can custom build replacement products for you.  The specifications for windows seem easy.  You need:

v      The width of the flange  thats the part that rests against the outside of the hole in the side of the boat

v      The length of each side of the window  again, they are trying to determine the size of the hole in the boat, but you can measure the outside dimensions of the flange or the actual inside dimensions of the hole and Andys crew can figure out the rest

v      The number of pieces of glass

v      Which parts of the window are fixed or sliding, if any

v      What color you want as a finish

v      Photos are always good.

Andy mentioned that it is always helpful if you have the Carver part number, so he can convert that to his part number.

Aluminum 2000 custom builds:

v      Windows

v      Entry doors

v      Interior doors

v      Fly bridge windscreens (if originally made by Aluminum 2000)

v      Access hatches and doors

You can also buy replacement locks, gaskets, seals, and stuff to repair enclosures.