Is it a blurry or a worn-out view? Possibilities are that your boat enclosures need to be replaced.
If you mistake a scratch on your boat’s enclosure for a marker in the channel while on the water, then you must repair or replace your clear marine enclosure, whether it’s acrylic, vinyl, or another material. During planned downtime at a marine service yard, the experts do it well during haul-out or other opportune times. Clear enclosures are available in various materials nowadays, including acrylic, polycarbonate, and vinyl.
Acrylic enclosures are inflexible and come in various brands, including EZ2CY®. Polycarbonate comes under the brand name Makrolon whereas clear vinyl comes under CrystalClear, Regalite, and Strataglass, each having its own set of uses and characteristics.
Acrylic Boat Enclosures
Boats in the subtropics, such as the Bahamas and South Florida, must withstand significant humidity and temperature changes, where acrylic shines. Scratches can be buffed away in acrylic, and it does not fade or yellow over time. EZ2CY is 80-gauge acrylic and is designed to pull up rather than roll. When you don’t need the panels, pin them to the roof or the bridge as they can withstand a lot more air pressure while in motion and hold in the cool air if you use an air conditioner because of the thickness.
The refurbishing and polishing procedure is straightforward for yachts already fitted with EZ2CY enclosures during haul-out. It is recommended to check it once you’ve arrived at the yard, and if it’s scratched, have the yard remove it and return it to your EZ2CY® dealer. The dealer will do the buffing and polishing, then hang or store it and return it to the boat in like-new condition. Reinstall it when the yacht is ready to leave the yard.
Vinyl Boat Enclosures
Clear vinyl works well for many boat owners who require enclosures that can be rolled up and out of the way. It’s easy to roll up clear uncoated vinyl because it’s pliable, but users must be careful because it’s easily scratched. VueShield, a scratch-resistant coating, is used on Strataglass to help reduce scratches. Uncoated vinyl is less costly than coated vinyl, although both must be handled with care to avoid wrinkles and creases. Furthermore, vinyl will turn yellow or hazy over time.
Polycarbonate
Because semirigid polycarbonate enclosures like Makrolon can’t be rolled up, they must be unzipped or pinned and removed. Although polycarbonate is costly, it provides good visibility, and scratch-resistant coatings are used to preserve the surface. Polycarbonates are popular in northern climates and Great Lakes locations, where the sun and temperatures are not as harsh as in tropical climates. Polycarbonate can yellow in tropical conditions since it is a petroleum-based substance.
