Canopy window thickness

[FalconSteve]

Hi all,

I am in the process of rejuvenating the canvas canopy on Merlin. I have in the process damaged the 'windscreen' section of clear pvc during enthusiastic cleaning, there are some cracks in several places including a 6 inch hole. It seems that the pressure washer was too intensive although it was only this section which is angled towards the uv damaging sunlight which split.

The long and short of it is that I need to replace this section. I have found a supplier (Kayospruce) who has been recommended on this forum by several members, they were very helpful on the phone this morning and offered some helpful comments regarding the material I should use. I have a bit of a dilemma in selecting the thickness of pvc as I have conflicting information churning around in my mind. I have seen a discussion on the subject (possibly this forum, but I cant find it again after the first read weeks ago), which suggested that thicker is better for this application if the canopy will be left in place as it is likely to be better transparency and offer superior clarity for navigation from the helm. On the other hand I have also been advised that the increased thickness also has a significant drawback when it comes to storage on the rare fine day when I will have the canopy off during use, it seems that thicker pvc is more inclined to crease if folded and will be much heavier to move around. I spoke to a very nice chap at JB yacht services who recommended that I stick to 20 thou on my size of boat (27' sports cruiser). My existing canopy is 20 thou but it is appalling to try and see through, I was seriously considering upgrading to 30 or even 40 thou for the replacement.

I am on a tight budget, so the optimal laminated 'stratoglass' is not feasible at £259.00.

Any opinions / guidance / devine knowledge gratefully received.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

 

[jrudge]

You have probably answered it yourself!

If you take it off allot, go for thinner, if you dont for thicker.

The stuff on mine is quite thin so it is never up and always in storage ( Med based) . It seems to flatten out nicely when it gets warm.

The last few times I have had the screen changed I think both were £50 or less for cash. Either way the stuff perishes / looses clarity over time so probably best just to treat it as a running cost and change it every 2-3 years.

 

[FalconSteve]

Thanks for the reply, I like year round boating so I'm really searching for utopia, I know it's not possible but I can dream...

In reality I'm leaning towards the thicker material, I normally roll my canopies when I take them off so creasing shouldn't be a problem, the biggest barrier is the additional effort to replace the canopy after use, if it doesn't give sufficiently to enable the canopy to be refitted in a reasonable time with minimal agro then I'll stick with the thinner.

Has anyone upgraded their window material thickness?

Decisions, decisions..

 

[Jurgen]

Had to have some panels replace on Evenstar, the new ones make such a difference in terms of clarity. We went for thin options as we "Roll & Fold"

 

[FalconSteve]

Hi Andy,

When you say you went for the thin options, were they the same as the old ones or thinner? How do you find the transparency?