Sprayhood Window Replacement

I have had good results with the offerings from Profabrics. Last boat went 8 years before I sold it after making new windows from the heavy duty clear PVC. Current boat on Year 4 and no obvious issues with the replacements I put in with their window material.
Window - Marine
 
If you do not need to fold it frequently and tightly, I'd go for 0.75 (at least), I made my last one with 1.00mm it's very sturdy and with excellent transparency, though I hardly ever fold the sprayhood. An old sprayhood I had had .5mm clear pvc, it folded neatly but the pvc was full of creases and not very easy to distinguish things through it.
As you say, double-triple check what you are buying is really UV resistant, these were my windows after 2-3 seasons of intermittent use, the darker ones were exposed south; PVC was bought as "UV resistant" from a local chandler... :(
I bought the new clear pvc from Tissens they offer two different ones, UV-resistant and not UV-resistant, hopefully they send me the right one.
Or, there is Strataglass, but take a seat before looking for the price. :)
cristal UV.jpg
 
The windows on an old sprayhood went opaque. I was surprised as it was not very old.

But was informed that the winter cleaning routine could have affected it, with wrong cleaning agent. Or possibly a diesel type spillage (spray, airborne perhaps).

Often wondered if true but now I only use fresh water to clean and have a mooring further away from dock and it has hasn't occurred again.
 
The clear window panels are the same as used on classic sports cars, so ask in the car trade. Also a tip from classic car owners is to use Pledge spray furntiture polish regularly as this stops them going opaque. I do this on my sprayhood and the clear panels are still clear after 10 years.
 
Graham376 said:
Made a new sprayhood 3 winters ago and within 2 years, 0.5mm thick pvc windows were completely opaque.

Looking for replacement pvc, various thicknesses available, 0.25mm, 0.5mm, 0.75mm, all supposedly UV treated. Anyone know "best" make to use and what thickness?
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We brought stuff out from the Uk to make our new sprayhood. It’s lasted about 3 years and started to show signs of deterioration. Leroy Merlin near Faro sell it. Friends used it, lasted 2 years before the same. I suspect it’s the intense Algarve sun that is catching us out
 
Beneteau381 said:
We brought stuff out from the Uk to make our new sprayhood. It’s lasted about 3 years and started to show signs of deterioration. Leroy Merlin near Faro sell it. Friends used it, lasted 2 years before the same. I suspect it’s the intense Algarve sun that is catching us out
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Mine also came from Leroy Merlin :(

I did consider making detachable covers but, with the amount of sand we often get in the rain, wonder if it could become abrasive when trapped between the two layers.
 
wilkinsonsails said:
We use Renolit Crystal If people want to up grade then we use Strataglass .This seems to out last most of the standard available PVC window materials.
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Hi Cindy,

After a few years in sunny climes, we are back in U.K. and now need to replace our sprayhood windows; I say ‘we’ but fortunately, my wife is able to do it. What thickness do you recommend and I’m interested that you mention Strataglass as an upgrade. I’m not familiar with that product so what, please, are the advantages and is it similar to work? Is there a U.K. distributor? Presumably, Strataglass is more expensive so is it worth the extra? The boat is a Bowman 40 so 6 windows in the sprayhood. Many thanks.
 
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