Bridge Clear Plastic Replacement

I prefer an open bridge or a skylounge with real glass windows and wipers.

Next in order would be EZ2CY with a glass panel & wiper insert in it.

EZ2CY would be my pick, however it doesn't lend itself to bends. Next up would be strataglass (3 mil) which sounds like what you've already used. For protecting and maintaining it I recommend Plexus after each wash or every 3 weeks. Polish it with a soft cloth like a piece of fine furniture.

If your canvass shop doesn't have the right tools their the wrong shop. Do you have a soft or hard top? Will straight, hard pannels work or is it more wrapped. EZ2CY is the best I know of, but won't curve. It's hard and flat. Strataglass 3 mil is about the best you'll get if it needs to roll or bend. From there you can get much cheaper in price and quality. Most Sunbralla canvass I've had experience with lasts 8 to 10 years if cared for. Check for frayed or thin areas or tears. If it's good there's no reason not to use it. If it's questionable get new because the isinglass you're putting on should last several years.

My last boat had a full isinglass flybridge enclosure, except for a plexiglass panel in front of the helm which had a wiper. was an ok installation, but the view was distorted and rolling them up was always a hassle.

Just bought a new boat and it has a bimini top now, but I just hired a canvas shop to install EZ2CY enclosure. This material can make curves, and can also be bent in a sharp corner. The shop that does the install has to have the know-how. These panels can be sized exactly the same as your existing ones so they can just zip in.

The prices are high, but if you find the right shop you will not be disappointed. These panels are clearer than glass, are bonded to the fabric rather than sewn, my shop gives a lifetime guarantee. I think I will be pleased when the finish the install, by Christmas they claim.

I suggest you shop around, when you find the right shop you will know it.

I don't usually think of EZ2CY for curves $$$$, but yes it can be done. Plexiglass is a bad choise for a marine application because it does get very scratched and clouded, etc. It also breaks in dangerous ways. Lexan would be a little better, but still a home made type situation.

The ez2cy doesn't last very long after it's been bent, it ends up cracking from what I've seen. It's easy to bend ez2cy by heating it, but I think it takes away some of the strength. I do really like ez2cy and it's best to clean and then insulator wax it every 2 months to keep it lasting and from getting scratched. However it doesn't do corners well.

Capt J

I'm not familiar with the term "insulator wax'. What is that?

thx

It's a Collinite product. #845 They call it insulator wax because it was/is used to coat high voltage porcelain insulators.

It's a product produced by Collinite, which is manufactured near you in Utica,NY. Also what Capt Bill said about it.

Thanks Gentlemen

Insulator wax by Collinite is an excellent product, but it's a bit of work. I prefer Plexus because most people are hard pressed to even clean their Isinglass. Plexus gives good result and it's just spray on/ polish off.

It bends

I know of a bridge that has a hard top and 3 panels of EZ2CY on the corners for a nice radius bend. The vessel also bends the center panel to allow it to clear the radars. AFAIK there is not way to put a wiper on it so it's a pain in the rain. This boat has gotten 10 years out of some panels. It is washed many times a week with soft water then has Plexus applies with a micro fiber cloth. Yes they do scratch E-Z. It's good stuff.

Replace the zippers

I own a 1998 45' Sport Fish with a hard top and fully enclosed flybridge. There are three front-sliding EZ2CY panels and 2 per side. There are 3 aft facing stratoglass panels. I maintain the enclosure with 810 and a good cleaning every week when she's in the water during our relatively short Michigan boating season. Last winter, after 11 seasons, the EZ2CY panels and the tracks themselves were fine. It was the plastic zippers and material stitched to the panels that needed replacing. I removed all of the enclosure panels and took them to the local EZ2CY canvas shop. They removed all of the old zippers and replaced them with the newer style. A buddy of mine owns the sistership to my boat that is the exact same model except it's 1 year older. He paid $7k to replace all of his enclosures. My cost was less than 1/3 of that and my enclosures look almost new. It pays to consistently maintain your enclosure panels.