Windshield wipers: which are the best?

[MapisM]

I'm considering to replace one wiper motor and arm in the DP (or possibly both, though only one is malfunctioning, but just for sake of using the same stuff).
Does anyone know which are the best (=more reliable and longlasting) around?
The reputable brands I'm aware of are Gallinea, Exalto and Speich, but I don't know if there's one which is preferable, either among these, or any others.
A reasonable cost would also be nice, though I'm not holding my breath in this respect... :ambivalence:
TIA!

 

[AllanG]

I've got ROCA wiper systems on my current Finnmaster boat, and had the same on my previous Nimbus boat...they are standard fit equipment on many Scandinavian built boats, and I can thoroughly recommend them:-

http://www.rocaindustry.com/wiper-system/

 

[rafiki_]

I would be tempted to stick with the OE P. That way it will fit, and the connectors should work.

 

[[165042]]

Doga are also OEM fitment - though a pain to get a replacement if you have an older boat.

 

[Divemaster1]

"Speich" and "Reasonable cost" does not quite gel ...

 

[jfm]

I have Italian Gallinea on the last few boats - OEM fitment. They seem perfectly ok - never had any problem with them. They rotate back and forth an arc of about 90 degrees, with a pantograph to keep the blade vertical. All ss parts.

 

[MapisM]

Thanks folks, good to know that the brands I had in mind are fine - and I'll check out also the others which were mentioned, anyway.

@ rafiki: yep, yours is a good point, but while OEM equipment is of pretty high quality in general, the wipers (both motors and arms), well, let's say that they could use an upgrade.

Though in a sense, I don't know why I bother.
I mean, in my experience, when cruising in heavy rain you must rely on instruments anyway.
And when maneuvering, it's much safer to helm from upstairs even if it means having a shower.
In fact, I can't remember when it's the last time I turned wipers on in the old tub - and even when I did, it was probably just to check if they worked... :nonchalance:

 

[Portofino]

Spray from your fast (ish?) planing .Not rain .
But that depends on wave height , wind speed and direction ,and those two seemingly taboo words ---Hull form !
Stuff like the bow area -convex or concave , how much lift ,where's the wetted /dry boundary ,is it infront of the screen or behind ?

Like you I never use wipers -- I,ve not got any --eek --- no wipers at all ---- just use my right hand and push the throttles .
Any spray from lateral wind of the hard chines is behind the helm ,so windows all clear .Nice Carolina bow flair if we are going down wind fast and try's to stuff .

How ever the Sunseeker was a wet boat ,combo of slower speed , convex bow sections ,sucking spray on deck and blasting the screen -- and probably some hull form issues,flatter aft sections ,more slamming ,clapping and slapping ,creating spray .
Needed good wippers .

Heavy rain -- sure wish we had wipers but happy to slow down in the interest of safety .

 

[MapisM]

Spray from your fast (ish?) planing .Not rain .
But that depends on wave height , wind speed and direction ,and those two seemingly taboo words ---Hull form !

Well, that also depends on how high you are seating.
Open boats are nice in many respects, but it's a much longer way for the spray to reach a flybridge helm!

Anyway, I see what you mean.
Indeed, depending on how complicated/expensive it will be to install a good replacement, I might as well chunk the existing things overboard and call it a day.

Or I could do the opposite, and fit straight line wipers.
If it weren't that they spoil the exterior and swmbo would never approve, that's what I would rather have.
After you've seen them working (particularly some fast ones - and when I say fast, I mean it!), pantograph wipers seem just toys in comparison...

All that aside, I didn't remember that Itamas are wiperless, now that's interesting.
Or did you follow my previous train of thoughts and threw them away?

 

[vas]

P.,

I'm in the why bother camp.
Went through all the hassle of checking, cleaning, finding a way to secure and fit the motors with the elevated dash, a LOT of hassle redesigning the lower helm and adding the speich on off toggle and the speed trim (I find it brilliant!) and never bothered installing the actual arms and blades
Well, actually, haven't got the blades but when I enquired the price was just silly!
They would have been useful once a v.rainy and cold Nov day, but managed without by dropping speed further, so unless I get decent ss blades reasonably priced I'll keep the two shafts coming out (and actually being a danger for kids playing or laying on the sundeck...)

cheers

V.

 

[MapisM]

actually being a danger for kids playing or laying on the sundeck...

Well, in the context of the deck refitting, I could as well remove the motors and their shafts, seal the holes, and make a KiwiGrip stripe above them...

...Eventually, the windshield covers would fit even better without the wipers - result! :encouragement:

 

[rafiki_]

Thanks folks, good to know that the brands I had in mind are fine - and I'll check out also the others which were mentioned, anyway.

@ rafiki: yep, yours is a good point, but while OEM equipment is of pretty high quality in general, the wipers (both motors and arms), well, let's say that they could use an upgrade.

Though in a sense, I don't know why I bother.
I mean, in my experience, when cruising in heavy rain you must rely on instruments anyway.
And when maneuvering, it's much safer to helm from upstairs even if it means having a shower.
In fact, I can't remember when it's the last time I turned wipers on in the old tub - and even when I did, it was probably just to check if they worked... :nonchalance:

+1?

 

[Portofino]

All that aside, I didn't remember that Itamas are wiperless, now that's interesting.
Or did you follow my previous train of thoughts and threw them away?

Did not come with any .flat glass screens Modal
The round /curved glass modals have wiper(s)

Your wiper sounds like something to put on the to do list ,but could be done in the future in you are board with the boat in the water .

It's just if it's allready got them at some stage I would get it working .
In the mean time it's no biggie to do with out ,

Have you actually accessed the motor ? What needs taking apart ( read potentially damaging ?) to get to it .
Perhaps it can be reconditioned ,refitted and take some photographs ,to help source a suitable replacement .

Seen some wiper motor kits in the USHIP catalogue -- not a lot of € , but no idea on quality !
I get the impression ( may be wrong ?) that there seems to be a standard mouting bracket /system .

I would need to be really desparate /board and needing a DIY boat fix to tackle that job .But as you know there's always somthing to fix on a boat ,older boat that is !