New windows on the dodger- now use the canvas covers?

[iSailor]

I had the plastic windows replaced on the 12 year old dodger and want to keep them nice and clear. My dodger came with the canvas covers that go on the outside. Should I be concerned about getting small scratches from putting the covers on after a day of sailing?

Or should I spray down the windows, let them dry, and only then use the covers?

Thanks,

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

I had the plastic windows replaced on the 12 year old dodger and want to keep them nice and clear. My dodger came with the canvas covers that go on the outside. Should I be concerned about getting small scratches from putting the covers on after a day of sailing?

Or should I spray down the windows, let them dry, and only then use the covers?

Thanks,

We spray them down to remove the salt, let them dry and try to put the covers on. The problem is that we live on the boat during the summer (and hopefully year round starting this summer) and like having the light. We have put the covers back on after sailing without washing and don't have any scratches.

 

[centerline]

We spray them down to remove the salt, let them dry and try to put the covers on. The problem is that we live on the boat during the summer (and hopefully year round starting this summer) and like having the light. We have put the covers back on after sailing without washing and don't have any scratches.

last summer we were at the coast walking the docks looking at boats and saw a boat that had white mesh covers on the enclosure over the windows as a sun shade... we talked to the guy for a bit and he said it was perfect for daytime use at the dock because you couldnt see in, but you could see out very well. it kept the sun out which made it cooler than the green storage covers that he had made when he bought the boat, but still kept it brite and cheery rather than the darkness of the solid green covers. he didnt even bother to change them to the solid covers when they were away from the boat for extended periods because they worked so well.
the mesh covers were very durable of the kind used for patio awnings and side curtains....

 

[Tom J]

We also don't use the covers when we are living aboard, which is the entire boating season. The white mesh covers sound like a great idea.