The windows in the spray dodger on the boat I bought last winter have increased in opacity to the point that I'll be replacing them this fall. The current windows are lexan. My sailmaker says if he replaces them with lexan, the clarity and wrinkle free aspects will be great at least initially, but that they will brown up considerably and in a hurry from exposure to sun unless I'm extremely diligent about covering them all the time. I'd appreciate any input on the relative merits of both materials if you have any experience to share. Thanks. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H37.5
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Try stratiglas
Gary: I upgraded from Vinyl to Stratiglas when I had my dodger made last year on the recommendation of my canvas maker. Mine is now a year old and the stratiglas is as clear as new. You have to use a special cleaner to avoid scratches, but other than that it is just like vinyl. I leave the center panel rolled up unless it is raining. The stratiglas is supposed to hold up better and has some built-in UV protection. It wasn't a big difference in price from the standard vinyl.
Gary: I upgraded from Vinyl to Stratiglas when I had my dodger made last year on the recommendation of my canvas maker. Mine is now a year old and the stratiglas is as clear as new. You have to use a special cleaner to avoid scratches, but other than that it is just like vinyl. I leave the center panel rolled up unless it is raining. The stratiglas is supposed to hold up better and has some built-in UV protection. It wasn't a big difference in price from the standard vinyl.
I've got vinyl in my '95 dodger
The dodger needs to be restiched and neither it nor the windows have a cover but clarity is still good in the vinyl. I have used the squirt on fiberglass cleaner polish (West Marine) when the windows get skummy. I though lexan was a rigid material, am I right?
The dodger needs to be restiched and neither it nor the windows have a cover but clarity is still good in the vinyl. I have used the squirt on fiberglass cleaner polish (West Marine) when the windows get skummy. I though lexan was a rigid material, am I right?
Covers
Gary, It's worth the extra money to have custom covers made for the dodger windows. I went with Lexan a few years ago, and have had no reduction is opacity. Phil Scott, Lexan comes in both rigid and flexable.
Gary, It's worth the extra money to have custom covers made for the dodger windows. I went with Lexan a few years ago, and have had no reduction is opacity. Phil Scott, Lexan comes in both rigid and flexable.
lexan
I have lexan in the dodger of my 35.5. The panels are approximately 10 years old and in great condition with still almost original clarity. The secret is a snap on cover when we are not on the boat and using a good vinyl cleaner and polish (Maguires, 3M or similar) on a regular basis to maintain the clarity. Also use a clean soft cloth to prevent scratches and hose them down first with a high pressure hose to remove grit before polishing. The down side of lexan is that it cannot be folded.
I have lexan in the dodger of my 35.5. The panels are approximately 10 years old and in great condition with still almost original clarity. The secret is a snap on cover when we are not on the boat and using a good vinyl cleaner and polish (Maguires, 3M or similar) on a regular basis to maintain the clarity. Also use a clean soft cloth to prevent scratches and hose them down first with a high pressure hose to remove grit before polishing. The down side of lexan is that it cannot be folded.
I've had vinyl for 10 years
I've had 32mil vinyl for the last 10 years. (Thicknes is important to clarity). I had it installed and has retained its opacity. There are a few scratches, but nothing significant. I usually rinse them every time out and wax them 2x a season with M210 (wax/cleaner). There is also another P210 (I think) that has a very mild pumice that I occasionally use to get rid of fine scratches. I usually wash them before waxing. I use a mild solution of boat soap and a very soft cloth. Do not use a detergent the will remove the vinyl's imbedded oils (such as dish detergent). The trick is to use something to wax the vinyl that replenishes the vinyl's oils, also.
I've had 32mil vinyl for the last 10 years. (Thicknes is important to clarity). I had it installed and has retained its opacity. There are a few scratches, but nothing significant. I usually rinse them every time out and wax them 2x a season with M210 (wax/cleaner). There is also another P210 (I think) that has a very mild pumice that I occasionally use to get rid of fine scratches. I usually wash them before waxing. I use a mild solution of boat soap and a very soft cloth. Do not use a detergent the will remove the vinyl's imbedded oils (such as dish detergent). The trick is to use something to wax the vinyl that replenishes the vinyl's oils, also.
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