Is it better to leave isinglass open or closed on a boat in a storm? I have a 47-footer with the entire upper deck covered with 2-year-old isinglass.
Based on the projected wind speed for Northern Palm Beach County, I would leave the isinglass up. If we were closer to the eye-wall, take it down.
I hate countering with da boss, But if it was my boat, all would come down, including the canvas. The first question from your insurance company will be; Why did you not take it down??
Anything over designed wind/ship speed. Bottom line, In my opinion; When in doubt, take it down. Even if I'm wrong, you always can put it back up. As with my other thread ; I get really upset with stupid insurance claims, when with a little thought; there did not have to be a claim or big/little loss at all. Oh, By The Way; Welcome to Yacht Forums Floridajack. Please keep up up on what you did,, do,, and all your ships adventures...
I have the polycarbonate and it has been fine staying in place for winds to 70mph. I would prefer to leave it up provided I believe the wind won’t exceed 70mph or so. That way I keep some/most of the wind driven rain out. I don’t have experience with the isenglass that can be rolled up. Based on the forecast for Rivera Beach I believe you would be better leaving it up and keeping the rain out. I have a named storm deductible so I will pay for it if I lose my enclosure. I have a hardtop and a windshield. So I don’t know if the soft tops make the entire enclosure more prone to failure. Hopefully some one else will have thoughts on that. Good luck.
Luv ya brother so please don't take my question the wrong way,, yet.. Is this polycarbonate what us red-necks call Strataglass ??
All good my friend. No, strataglass can be rolled up and I believe is a vynil where as polycarbonate is semi rigid and can’t be rolled. Straglass.com has a brief outline of the different type of clear “plastics”.
Down here in miami I removed my Bimini even though forecast is just 30-35kts. problem with these storms is that you will get embedded squalls in the feeder bands with much higher wind for a short time. palm beach will get a little more wind than us, probably 40-45kts. Why take a chance ?
Clear vinyl would be brand names like Strataglass or Regalite, etc. I don't think Isenglass (brand) is actually made anymore, but I've read that was a product also used in early automobiles with "convertible" (fold down) tops. Rigid products -- I think both polycarbonate and acrylic but not sure -- would be names like Makrolon (now Tuffak) and EZ2CY (which I think also has a new name now). Were it me at your location, given you're at least right on the edge of predicted hurricane force winds (per NHC's static forecast graphic, just checked)... HURRICANE MILTON (noaa.gov) As others have said, I'd take it down... and fold/strap the bimini down too. Add the bimini cover, if you have one. And then cover helm instruments and so forth as best you can with something waterproof and completely taped down. I might think differently if you had hardtop and rigid enclosure panels, but it doesn't take much of a wind sometimes to get inside a soft enclosure... and with winds predicted at/near 74+ MPH, you would just be gambling otherwise. -Chris
Thank you all for your comments. I'm sure it's actually Strataglass or some variant thereof. I was harkening back to the song lyric "…with isinglass curtains y' can roll right down in case there's a change in the weather."
Haven't ever heard that, I guess, but it may have been referring to opening up soft curtains -- for better breeze -- when it gets too hot... -Chris
Just took all my polycarbonate down. Cleaned and polished it while taking it off - much easier access. Also had a couple of zippers that were almost frozen, even though I try to regularly move and get some wax on them. So taking it down forces maintenance that saves you in the long run.
Last time I removed mine I never put it back up, and then sold that boat. Just put out fenders and extra line for this boat. I think you too are far enough south to give Milton much thought. Not had more then maybe a 25 mph gust.