I know I've posted a previous thread about curtains/shades for the portlights, and thanks to those who responded with ideas. Truth is, I've never needed to sleep aboard since I live very close to my marina, so figuring out a solution for window shades was not high on the project priority list. That has changed, as I'm planning a multi-day trip for later this summer, so it has moved to near top of the to-do list. I need something to effectively block the orange sodium lamp light streaming in from the dock lights at night so I can get some sleep!

I've looked at quite a few different varieties of shades and curtains, but none so far seem to viable options (other than custom solution) because none that I have found will fit over the two dogs on bottom of each portlight.

I contacted Pacific Seacraft and asked what sort of shades/curtains are installed on new boats they are building, but the response I got implied that they don't put them in their new boats at all. I find it hard to believe that I'm the only person who would want shades, but it certainly seems that way.

One idea I have is to have rectangular covers made using the same Sunbrella canvas that my dodger/bimini are made of, with velcro strips sewn at top and bottom, and placing adhesive velcro strips above and below the portlights to stick them to (with cut-outs for the dogs to fit into so the fabric can be stretched tight across the glass). I'm not sure it would look very nice though. Worse come to worse, I know I could the two ports in the forward cabin with sail bags or something, but that isn't a long-term solution.

If anyone would like to respond and include of photo of curtains/shades you have on your boat, that would be very helpful!

Edit: We used neodymium magnets for our main portlights (aluminum extrusions on the inside and outside of the hull)
We installed long skinny magnets behind the inner extrusions and sewed in magnets in the covers as well.
They matched up by installing the magnets behind the aluminum AFTER making the covers.

How do those magnets affect your compass? I always cringe when people talk of using magnets on boats. But then, being old school, I still use my compass

One would certainly hope that the portlights down below, that are covered by these magnet attached curtains, are more than 3 feet away from the boat's compass.