To cover or not to cover ?

[CaptainLulu]

I am in search of opinions on covering port holes, windows and hatches with snap covers.

To cover or not to help with sunblocking, heat generation from sun beating down inside them but mainly to prevent crazing. I do have some sun shade and curtains on some but not all from the inside but that wont help the crazing of the acrylic.

What about the color of the covers if you approve of the practice. Light or dark colored and what type of fabric ? Sunbrella I would assume.

Thanks for your comments.

 

[foolproof]

It depends on what type of windows you have. It sounds you have plastic windows.

I talked to Mike at Cruising Concepts, the company that made my window kit (I did away with the aluminum frames in favor of the sleeker, more modern look of the acrylic tinted windows). I asked him the same question, and he told me that they don't recommend external window covers for plastic, because there will always be some chaffing of the covers due to the wind. He said it would cause crazing and deteriorate the acrylic.

You might consider doing curtains on the inside instead.

 

[mortyd]

huh, i always thought the crazing on my nine year old boat windows when i bought her was on purpose; i guess a good way not mind it.

 

[CaptainLulu]

It depends on what type of windows you have. It sounds you have plastic windows.

I talked to Mike at Cruising Concepts, the company that made my window kit (I did away with the aluminum frames in favor of the sleeker, more modern look of the acrylic tinted windows). I asked him the same question, and he told me that they don't recommend external window covers for plastic, because there will always be some chaffing of the covers due to the wind. He said it would cause crazing and deteriorate the acrylic.

You might consider doing curtains on the inside instead.

I wonder if chafing would be minimized if we put some closed cell foam mini cushion under the cover Would make a nice seat also. Maybe I'll,call Mike at cruising concepts Thanks

 

[Lost Parent]

Let us know what he said as i just installed a set of his windows on my boat last week

 

[CaptainLulu]

Let us know what he said as i just installed a set of his windows on my boat last week

Send pictures I'd like to see

 

[Lost Parent]

I will in about two weeks when i get back to the boat..LUV them

 

[dswanson13476]

My C320 MK II has captain navy Sunbrella covers on all hatches. They attach with elastic and have worked very well protecting the hatch acrylic from, wind, rain, sun, and snow. We have used them in San Diego and Seattle. I highly recommend covering these windows when the boat is not being used. We also have Sunbrella covers for all winches, windlass, steering station, and companion way hatch.

Dave

 

[caguy]

I wonder if chafing would be minimized if we put some closed cell foam mini cushion under the cover Would make a nice seat also. Maybe I'll,call Mike at cruising concepts Thanks

There is a fabric that Sunbrella has called Sunbrella Supreme. It has the regular Sunbrella canvas on one side and a soft texture on the other to prevent chafing.

 

[catsailor]

Great idea. Cuts UV damage, keeps heat out, and keeps the windows cleaner. Can also protect windows when lugging heavy stuff around, for ex. kayaks on deck. Easy project.

Chafing? No. There are plain Sunbrella covers are certain windows of my boat, including a Strataglass sunroof, that were original (1996) and they are by far the best windows on the boat. The trouble with a soft lining is that it will trap grit and increase the chafe. Use plain Sunbrella. Much easier to launder occasionally. Add foam and the grit will be perminant.

http://sail-delmarva.blogspot.com/2010/08/salon-window-covers.html

 

[CaptainLulu]

Do you have trouble with sealing off the hatch with the elastic pieces. I assume they go between the areal when closed ?

 

[caguy]

Chafing? No. There are plain Sunbrella covers are certain windows of my boat, including a Strataglass sunroof, that were original (1996) and they are by far the best windows on the boat. The trouble with a soft lining is that it will trap grit and increase the chafe. Use plain Sunbrella. Much easier to launder occasionally. Add foam and the grit will be permanent.

I respectfully disagree. I would rather have a soft texture on my plastic than abrasive Sunbrella. It's analogous to dragging your windows over a carpeted floor or a hard surface like linoleum or cement. The Sunbrella was designed for covering gel coated surfaces. Since it is synthetic it washes the same as regular Sunbrella. It's a little more expensive but worth the cost (those who know me know that is a rare statement.)

 

[catsailor]

I respectfully disagree. I would rather have a soft texture on my plastic than abrasive Sunbrella. It's analogous to dragging your windows over a carpeted floor or a hard surface like linoleum or cement. The Sunbrella was designed for covering gel coated surfaces. Since it is synthetic it washes the same as regular Sunbrella. It's a little more expensive but worth the cost (those who know me know that is a rare statement.)

I'm not guessing or supposing about the application of standard Sunbrella. I'm commenting on 12-20 year old installations over Lexan and Strataglass. The new fabric could be better, couldn't say. But I think it is a leap to say that Sunbrella is abrasive to Lexan; while it might feel abrasive to skin (very soft) I've no reason to believe it is abrasive to a hard plastic (as hard as the Lexan or Acrylic). The only real abrasion will be from salt and dirt particles, which are harder than the plastic.

I have seen coated fabrics used and I KNOW that is a mistake. The rain can't wash out the salt and the crystals do some damage.