Bridge enclosure lexan

D

Dan Kozusko

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Joined
Oct 11, 2007
RO Number
28781
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108
I'll try this forum first. Has anyone seen lexan or plastic on the front of a bridge enclosure? I saw a Bayliner with it on the front instead of the usual zippered isenglass. This made it possible to mount a wiper to clear the view during rain. If I remember, he had a zipper attached to it as well to lift up the panel to enjoy fresh air. My question would be, how would the zipper be attached to the lexan? Glue.epoxy or what else? It's annoying not being able to see when you get caught in the rain. I might post this on the ATC forum later.
 
My canvas guy sews into lexan. I now have all lexan windows including curved corners. IMO you shouldn’t run a wiper on lexan though, I think it will scratch too easily. The extra weight of a wiper will probably require some additional bracing of the top bows too. There is a company in the PNW that makes a glass insert with wiper.
For years I had just the one center lexan window you describe it worked well.
 
Thanx pdecat. How did you find visibility through the lexan during rain under way? Presently due to the angle of my plastic, (about 20 degrees off vertical) visibility is poor unless I stand up and that makes for a tiring trip. Does the water bead off the lexan well?
 
visibility is better because the lexan is clearer. How it reacts to rain depends on how dirty or clean it is similar to glass. In any event I wouldn’t eve go back to vinyl windows. Start with one in center as I did and you will quickly decide that you should have done them all.
When the installer was working on it I wasn’t paying attention just noticing the missing window from the lower deck. I call him to ask when will you install the new window and he said it is already in, It was that clear.
 
There is a clear glass panel inset with a wiper you can add to your enclosure. Makes a world of difference in the rain.
 
Are these panels zippered in or permanently attached? I will definitely try lexan or glass, its the attaching I'm vague on.
 
the lexan is sewn into canvas which is zippered into the frames like vinyl

P1000080.jpg
 
That looks great, Bruce. They look very happy!
Do you wear polarized sunglasses , and if so, you you experience the much talked about rainbow effect diffraction of the Lexan , same as I always see on commercial aircraft passsenger windows?

Without the wiper, EZ2CY (specially-prepared non-roll-up-able acrylic panels) is another very clear option , that I use at the lower station above the windshield and on 2 sides.( No FB, just marlin tower.) Still really nice after nearly 15 yrs in SW. I believe it's generally a bit nmore scratch resistant than Lexan , plus in the event of scratches in can be buffed out. There are scratch-resistant offerings of Lexan though, and Bruce's installation does look really good. .

Even in fresh water I'd think wipers would be risky on anything but glass inserts.
 
They look great! How thick would you guess the Lexan to be? Do you know if they had to predrill to sew the zipper on or was there a different process? Either way, I'm sure a water beading application on it would negate the need for a wiper. Wonder why it's not more popular... i've only seen the one vessel that had it.
 
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