Merry Fisher Window Covers

[Cbjroms]

Having just bought a Merry Fisher 645 I have noticed that some owners leave their boats in the marina with the internal window blinds (side windows and sunroof) in place, others fit external window covers and some just leave the windows uncovered.

Looking around the marina there are very few other boats that have window covers, even those pilothouses that have a similar shape to the Merry Fishers.

I understand that preventing people being able to look into your boat can reduce the likelihood of theft. Also that protecting the upholstery from UV has its advantages.

But given our UK climate does it really make any difference? If so, do external covers have advantages over the internal?

 

[lupa]

We have an antares 750, the internal covers are a bit of a pain to put up and down .
We found that an external cover was easier, you will be suprised how much the sun can damage and discolour fabric and wood even in this country. So in short for us, we use extenal for ease, security and uv damage. Private when on board also.

 

[sprocker]

We also have a MF645 and always use the windscreen and side window internal covers. As you say they can be a bit of a pain to keep taking down and putting up, but that particular job is done by SWMBO whilst I am doing the engine checks etc.

My view is that they can only do good in keeping UV out, so why not use them. They also do a very good job of keeping the light out whilst overnighting aboard.

 

[Canopy Locked]

I have a 755 marlin - and I specified internal curtains to keep prying eyes out and to protect from sunshine. It takes less than a minutes to pull back the curtains and fasten them - no hassle at all. Certainly (IMO) internal curtains are a lot less hassle than external covers.

 

[Matt341]

We had external window covers on our previous Antares 6.80. It came with the normal internal curtains but there were a few factors that made us decide to get the external covers. Firstly, the sliding window tracks would fill up with green moss and gunge - it was virtually impossible to clean them out properly without removing the windows. Gunk and salt would also build up in the track on the edge of the windows (particularly the "furry" seal) and then when the window was opened it would scratch along the window. Another factor was that the windscreen had a channel along the bottom where rainwater would rest (very bad design IMO) and after a couple of seasons the sealant broke down and allowed water to leak through into the cabin. After failing to get Beneteau to address this under warranty, I ended up re sealing the windscreen myself but it was virtually impossible to alter the design to stop the water resting in the seal along the bottom. The windscreen covers prevented this as the bottom edge covered the "lip" so all the water running off the pilot house would run down the screen cover and straight over the foredeck.

Fitting the screen covers took around the same time as closing the internal curtains, the only downside was that the windscreen had to be completely clean before fitting them otherwise any salt/grit on the screen could abrade between the covers and scratch. I generally washed the whole boat down as soon as we were berthed and then locked up and fitted the covers just before leaving, generally the windscreen would have dried off but I sometimes used a shower squeegee to get any excess water off.

If I had another boat in the future with a pilot house then I would definitely use external screen covers.

 

[rwoofer]

We had external window covers on our previous Antares 6.80. It came with the normal internal curtains but there were a few factors that made us decide to get the external covers. Firstly, the sliding window tracks would fill up with green moss and gunge - it was virtually impossible to clean them out properly without removing the windows. Gunk and salt would also build up in the track on the edge of the windows (particularly the "furry" seal) and then when the window was opened it would scratch along the window. Another factor was that the windscreen had a channel along the bottom where rainwater would rest (very bad design IMO) and after a couple of seasons the sealant broke down and allowed water to leak through into the cabin. After failing to get Beneteau to address this under warranty, I ended up re sealing the windscreen myself but it was virtually impossible to alter the design to stop the water resting in the seal along the bottom. The windscreen covers prevented this as the bottom edge covered the "lip" so all the water running off the pilot house would run down the screen cover and straight over the foredeck.

Fitting the screen covers took around the same time as closing the internal curtains, the only downside was that the windscreen had to be completely clean before fitting them otherwise any salt/grit on the screen could abrade between the covers and scratch. I generally washed the whole boat down as soon as we were berthed and then locked up and fitted the covers just before leaving, generally the windscreen would have dried off but I sometimes used a shower squeegee to get any excess water off.

If I had another boat in the future with a pilot house then I would definitely use external screen covers.

I recognise some of the problems you describe with my MF645, mainly the window channels. However your point about abrasion is the main thing that stopped me getting external covers. Since I'm not in a marina, I think I simply could not ensure the screen is clean before putting them on and even if I did have facilities I wouldn't want to clean the boat every time.

I have not checked this, but is the main screen glass and the side windows plastic? If so, a windscreen only cover might be good.

Richard

 

[snuthall]

Want to make blinds for our Merry Fisher 645 does any on have a pattern that has worked.
steph

 

[simonfraser]

external ones def more time consuming to put on
i leave some internal ones closed, front and one side as those are the ones most exposed to the sun / UV