daft idea no. 237 - replacing vinyl screen with glass

Nick_H

Nick_H

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www.ybw-boatsforsale.com
I discounted small hardtops from my recent weekender search, because the Scandi one's feel too enclosed with car type sunroof's, and the Sealine/Jeanneau/Bavaria models don't have the performance hull I was after.

So, instead i've opted for an open boat, but the camper canopy is split into two, with the front section forming a similar shape to a hardtop. It all stores fully assembled behind the back seats, so with some modification can be quickly and easily secured in place if the weather turns. With the eberspacher then pumping out at the front of the cockpit I reckon it could stay reasonably comfortable for some nice winter cruising without having to thaw our faces out afterwards.

The problem is that the vinyl screens are hard to see out of, especially when they've been crunched up in a damp storage locker, and any rain or spray makes the situation much worse. So, has anyone thought of having a toughened or windscreen glass panel made up which zips in, in place of the drivers vinyl panel. If it was then polished with Rain-X, or even had a wiper mechanism fitted, I reckon it would be perfectly useable. The glass panel could be stored in a padded bag in the lazarette, ready to go.

I told you it was a daft idea /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Have you discounted the Sealine S29/SC29?
One of the better hulls from Sealine.

And yes, sounds a bit half baked. Fixing the glass to the canvas in such a way that it doesn't leak plus finding somewhere to store it will be a challenge to say the least!

dv.
 
I don't think fixing it is too much of a challenge, just a case of using the right glue and adding smart edging tape. They do it on the back windscreen of convertible cars. I suppose the glass doesn't need to be the full size of the panel, which would make it easier to store, but it would be flat anyway, so I don't think storage would be such a problem, and would look less Heath Robinson if it was the full panel, maybe even the full front face of the canopy, in two or three sections.
 
Yes, we all went the wrong way first. There is no substitute for a proper boat. Proper boats arnt big on sun bathing areas. Though of course, one can be improvised.

The Fishers look a bit numb at first glance, the speed boat looks far more fun.

A boat has first, got to be fundamentaly capable. Like easy access to anchor, keeps you warm, or cooler. Deals with the sea well. Cleats in the right place, that wont fall off. Dependant on your choice of course, the boat should be protecting you from the elliments.



With bigger boats, it's not difficult to get rid of canvass. Though some folk love to live in the cold and the damp.

The designers of boats are well aware that most folk that buy a boat look at the glammour, no thought of the practical.
 
You could try this stuff, you can get it quite rigid almost like glass, still need a way of storing it and fixing it in to the canvas but at least it wont shatter or chip and very light. A glass panel would be very heavy for the surrounding canvas and evrything will go all stretchy with the weight.

think its called flexopane

FlexoPane
 
Hadyn, that's the boat you want, for the type of boating you do. If someone wants a fast fun boat for cruising in settled weather, then your boat is the wrong way to go. Horses for courses, surely?
 
yes, but I wouldn't be designing it from scratch, i'd just be modifying the fixing points of an off the shelf system. I do think the wiper bit was maybe a bit OTT, but actually relatively straight forward to achieve using an after market rear wiper system.
 
I'm not sure i've really caught people's imagination with this one :-)

Still, I quite like the idea of having a fully open, wind in the hair, sports boat in the summer, but having some wind and spray protection for those nice but cold winter days, so I think I might persevere. The weight is a good point, so I reckon this is the stuff:

"Lexan Margard hardcoated high optical quality Lexan polycarbonate sheet for building and vehicle safety & security glazing. Margard hardcoat gives abrasion-, UV- and chemical resistance."
 
That's what they use for windscreens on boats as an alternative to glass.
I have just replaced my windscreen with a piece of this and it is very flexible and easy to drill.
 
The main drawback to your proposed system is the weight of the glass, this will subject the surrounding canvas and fixings to considerable strain if you get into any "choppy" conditions.
 
Have you noticed how clear camper canopy screens are when they are new. I would suggest just replacing the existing screens say every 2 years with the same product. I bet it wouldn't cost too much and no risk of causing secondary (developmental) problems.
 
Advice from a raggie /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I have been doing some similar thinking - I have a very nice sprayhood. Indeed too good as full height so not easy for me to look over when I <u>need</u> clear vision. As most of the time looking through a clear Vinyl panel is good enough I am in the process (well, I am waiting for the quote /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif) of replacing one of the clear panels with a zip out version.

My thinking is that it can be partially zipped out as needed. and depending on weather conditions I can also keep it open and simply stand out of the direct line of spray - with the occassional (well timed!) better scan of the horizon. Also can be fully zipped out for future replacement of the clear panel by simply taking it to someone with a sewing machine - I figure the easier / cheaper it is the more likely I am to replace when less than perfect. Time will tell on that one /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Of course I go a bit slower than a MOBO /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif But if you only need 100% clear vision some of the time (Berthing? / inshore navigation?) then maybe something worth considering?.
 
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