- Nov 26, 2006
- 7,628
- Boat Info
- 2008 44 Sedan Bridge
- Engines
- Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
Our boats generally come with Eisenglass. We can spend double on Strataglass, and I recommend doing so in most applications. I have used Makrolon and loved it, until it crazed. I recently tried to move forward with EZ2CY on my forward 3 panels, but decided on modified impact resistant acrylic and had that done.
The local guy measures and comes up with panel sizes and shapes. He sends templates to the factory. They cut the panels, grind down the edges, fit material strips in place, and bond them to the panels in the ground down edges. They send them back. The local guy cuts the material as required and sews on the zippers, and then installs the new panels.
I would take pictures, but you can't see anything at all, just the material around the edges.
Benefits:
1) Crystal Clear
2) UV resistant
3) Higher insulation factor than thinner materials
4) No coating - can polish out scratches or discoloration/fading
5) Discoloration/fading shouldn't happen for many years
6) Maybe the last time I can't see out front or worry about those panels
Downsides:
1) Cost
2) Cost
3) Cost (Eisenglass = X, Strata = 2X, Makrolon = 3X, EZ2CY = 4X, Acrylic = 5X??? It was actually the same cost as the Makrolon quote, but I'm not sure that was a good quote. I knew I didn't want Makrolon again). It was about $1400/panel (large panels).
4) Cumbersome production process, but not my problem
5) NOT Scratch resistant - That's ok, I'd rather be able to buff it out
6) It can shatter.
The local guy measures and comes up with panel sizes and shapes. He sends templates to the factory. They cut the panels, grind down the edges, fit material strips in place, and bond them to the panels in the ground down edges. They send them back. The local guy cuts the material as required and sews on the zippers, and then installs the new panels.
I would take pictures, but you can't see anything at all, just the material around the edges.
Benefits:
1) Crystal Clear
2) UV resistant
3) Higher insulation factor than thinner materials
4) No coating - can polish out scratches or discoloration/fading
5) Discoloration/fading shouldn't happen for many years
6) Maybe the last time I can't see out front or worry about those panels
Downsides:
1) Cost
2) Cost
3) Cost (Eisenglass = X, Strata = 2X, Makrolon = 3X, EZ2CY = 4X, Acrylic = 5X??? It was actually the same cost as the Makrolon quote, but I'm not sure that was a good quote. I knew I didn't want Makrolon again). It was about $1400/panel (large panels).
4) Cumbersome production process, but not my problem
5) NOT Scratch resistant - That's ok, I'd rather be able to buff it out
6) It can shatter.
