To see or not to see

[scozzy]

So....my sprayhood is a complete state and needs replacing which has me thinking about the (sometime soon)new improved one ill end up getting made and whether I need the "see through panels" at front which I can never see though anyway ! Or just have just a plain old shade style hood for hiding under in poor weather...can anyone talk me out of avoiding the ubiquitous clear panels?

 

[veshengro]

From my experience as the previous owner of a 'Foggy' windowed spray hood, the only comment I would make is that if you do much night sailing, even the foggy windows allow a light, whether a vessel's lights or land mark to be seen on a dark night.
By day poor visibility through the windows meant I looked over the top whatever the weather but in the dark any light close enough to need attention was still detectable through the plastic.
Just my experience which probably doesn't help your decision, but if the hood is tall enough to need a conscious effort to look over, then without windows you are possibly weighing the odds of spotting something ahead, against you.

 

[wonkywinch]

You could have one made where the clear window zips out to allow better vision in marginal conditions.

 

[Poignard]

By the way,I used this recently on my sprayhood windows and was very pleased with the result:

 

[B27]

I can see reasonably well through mine.
It's useful to have some forward vision while standing at the bottom of the companionway ladder.

 

[srm]

A rigid spray hood will allow for better quality "clear" windows.
Hiding behind crinkly semi-transparent plastic in bad weather is a bit worrying but at least we are making a token gesture towards keeping a look out. Doing away with the semi-transparent bits means you may as well take to your bunk and leave the boat to keep going without any attempt at look out.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Get the windows, with a zip and roll-up center window. The modern windows will last about 10 years wihout fogging if you look after them, mine did.

You will be grateful for the weatherproofing provided over the companionway when the sprayhood is all zipped up, and gratefull for the visibility and ventilation when the centre window is unzipped and rolled out of the way.

 

[KevinV]

Awfully dark in the companionway if there are no windows in the sprayhood

 

[scozzy]

Thank you gents, food for thought to be honest I'm not really a night time sailer ,I like to be back on the mooring or tied up somewhere with a gin well before then! On the odd occasion things get gloomy I'm like a meerkat looking for any/everything at the best of times so I'd probably have it down regardless of conditions!!Zips an interesting idea and maybe best halfway house

 

[B27]

I don't recall actually seeing zip-open windows in the front of a sprayhood.
Many sprayhoods shrink a bit from new, the zip might end up under considerable tension.
Might be best to choose a maker who's done it before if you go this route, and let us know how it goes?

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a zip up cantr window in my sprayhood as well as covers over the centre and side windows in my sprayhood to help reduce any fogging of the sprayhood windows

Having nice weather where I sail I tend to lower the sprayhood before I leave the dock but do have a fixed cover over the outside steering wheel to keep sun off while sailing

 

[doug748]

So....my sprayhood is a complete state and needs replacing which has me thinking about the (sometime soon)new improved one ill end up getting made and whether I need the "see through panels" at front which I can never see though anyway ! Or just have just a plain old shade style hood for hiding under in poor weather...can anyone talk me out of avoiding the ubiquitous clear panels?

I had mine made with only two, relatively small windows for two reasons:

1) They fold better (my sprayhood is always down unless the weather is poor or I am in port) without forming knife points which eventually lead to cracks.
2) Makes it a very easy job to replace the windows when they turn opaque.

The forward vision is slightly reduced but I generally scan around the sprayhood anyway. It does look a bit eccentric.

.

 

[Refueler]

I would think if you did not have 'window panels' in the sprayhood - you would soon wish you had ... even though are not best to see through.

 

[RivalRedwing]

Most of the window damage is likely to occur when the boat is not being sailed. On my last new sprayhood I had removable 'press stud' covers made for the windows... adds a few £ to the build cost but preserves the transparency of the plastic.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I don't recall actually seeing zip-open windows in the front of a sprayhood.
Many sprayhoods shrink a bit from new, the zip might end up under considerable tension.
Might be best to choose a maker who's done it before if you go this route, and let us know how it goes?

They are a godsend in the med to get a combination of shade and ventilation ...



Nauti Sattler

 

[Concerto]

My sprayhood is nearly 10 years old and the plastic windows are crystal clear. I was advised many years ago to use Pledge Furniture Polish regularly. This is what classic car owners use to keep their soft top windows in tip top condition as they use the same clear plastic.

 

[davidej]

Deleted

 

[Refueler]

My Sprayhood was over 30yrs old when it finally gave in ... basically winters here were not kind to it. I also made mistake of folding down at lift-out (to allow mast to be lowered) .... forgot to re-instate it ... during winter needed to go into cabin .. pushed hatch fwd as usual - corner caught the 'frozen' window ..... CRACK !

Up until then all those years - the windows had stayed relatively clear ....

 

[KeelsonGraham]

I don't recall actually seeing zip-open windows in the front of a sprayhood.
Many sprayhoods shrink a bit from new, the zip might end up under considerable tension.
Might be best to choose a maker who's done it before if you go this route, and let us know how it goes?

We have one

 

[B27]

We have one

Thanks. Who made it?
Not sure it would be a good idea on our little boat, as the hood frame is pretty lightweight (ali) and the fabric is probably 'structural'!