Sun Screens inside Camper/Windshield

Hampton

Hampton

Air Defense Dept
TECHNICAL Contributor
Nov 26, 2006
7,628
Panama City, Fl
Boat Info
2008 44 Sedan Bridge
Engines
Cummins QSC-500's
Straight Drives
I plan to put up sun screens inside the windshield and on 100% of the side and back glass. My wife and I plan to do the work together. We are doing it partially to block the sun, but also to provide a little more privacy when desired. They need to come down easily and not be an eyesore when in or out.

I plan to make full size side pieces for the front of the cockpit that cover both the glass and Makrolon (polycarbonate glass panels above the windshield). The rest of the project will be fit to the size of each Strataglass or windshield panel.

I am looking for inputs on the project.

1) What kind of material should we use, and where do we get it? 50% block? 80%?
2) What kind of edging should we use?
3) I would like to secure it to the top of the windshield with removable snaps inside. Where do I get these?
4) What kind of attachment should the rest have? I'm thinking velcro.
5) Should I use velcro strips or velcro patches?
6) How should I attach the velcro? I would really like to use adhesive.

Any other input appreciated.
 
I know they sell Velcro or some thing like it in strips with the adhesive on it I also have bought some patches that were about 2"x4" that was called industrial strength, the adhesive was a lot stronger but thicker. Check out some Hobby stores like Hobby Lobby or places that deal with crafts or I know my sister would get some from a sewing center or fabric store when she was making something. Here is a search Idid for some ideas http://www.google.com/search?q=velc...ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7ADBS_en Hope this helps
 
John..for the windshield and side glass would'nt it be easier to put up and take down if they were on the outside of the boat, using snaps? Ric
 
It wouldn't be too hard to place a few, strategically placed, snaps on both the windshield frame and the current Strataglas surround (in the actual canvas material). Might be best on the inside simply for ease of putting up and down, along with keeping them from blowing away. But, either way could work.
 
Don't forget a custom made storage bag for when the pieces are not in use. My wife & I did some canvas repair on our cockpit cover. That got us thinking, so next we are making some matching storage bags for different "stuff" that goes on, in or used for the boat.
 
With properly installed female snaps on a piece of mesh canvas sunscreen (which comes in various levels of transparency), you could use your installed snaps on the boat and not have to drill any more holes in the boat. Securing the screen at the top of the windshield with installed snaps, and using the wiper blades to hold things down, you should be able to wrap the suncreen around to the side windows, again using the existing snaps. Velco straps can be added to the tops of the sunscreen on the sides that would wrap around your hand holds on the sides of the windshield so the canvas screen does not droop. There are snaps that are both female and male that can be installed on your existing canvas that allow you to keep you canvas top and other stuff up and add mesh on top of the canvas snaps. You can modify your enclosure canvas with these as required. I've been thinking about doing something similar on my boat for marina privacy when we cruise. It would also improve the effeciency of our cockpit a/c. Just have not gotten around to it, but I think I'll end up doing it. White screening is the best color to use to minimize the heat sinking.
 
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SBW1: That's a good idea using existing hardware - gave me another idea (I also have had this on the "to do" list for quite a while).

I'll have to check my supplier catalogs when I get to work, but I think I remember seeing double-ended snaps. Meaning female on one side and then male on the other. These could be installed on the privacy curtain (would only need a few of them). Then, snap the privacy curtain onto the boat (say around rear cockpit area) and then the normal canvas would still snap to the other side of the privacy curtain's snap. That would take care of attaching the bottom of the curtain to the boat.

Another idea for attaching the top of the curtain (if you didn't want to install snaps into your current canvas): Sew a small "pocket" into your canvas and insert a small piece of metal - say 1"x1"x1/16" (paint of powder coat it to avoid rust). Then, in the corresponding spot on the privacy curtain, sew a magnet into the curtain.
 
Lazy Daze said:
SBW1: That's a good idea using existing hardware - gave me another idea (I also have had this on the "to do" list for quite a while).

I'll have to check my supplier catalogs when I get to work, but I think I remember seeing double-ended snaps. Meaning female on one side and then male on the other. These could be installed on the privacy curtain (would only need a few of them). Then, snap the privacy curtain onto the boat (say around rear cockpit area) and then the normal canvas would still snap to the other side of the privacy curtain's snap. That would take care of attaching the bottom of the curtain to the boat.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't it be better to replace a few snaps on the normal canvas where needed? That way you will be able add the suncreen and remove the sunscreen without having to take off the enclosure canvas. I don't know about you, but we enjoy looking through clear glass unless the sun is too much to bear and things are heating up in the cockpit. We see a lot of people putting these things on during certain times of the day and then removing them.
 
If you are set on having them on the inside, once you find a way to attach to the top (velcro, additional snaps etc..) you could add weights at the bottom. Possibly sew a rod into the bottom hem to keep it pulled down without having to add more hardware to the boat.
 
not for sure i follow all above.
i can tell you what is done on the western lakes we frequent.

a heavy duty sun screen material is used. it is tailored to fit over the out side of any window being applied to and is constructed so as to use cock pit cover snaps or available snaps.we see tons of this stuff used at lake mead and on powell with the 2 most popular colors being white or black. we plan on doing this with the back panels of out camper enclosure this summer
generally here it is hot and stays hot when screen is in use, so taking up and down a problem. is either up or down.
have tried velcro screens to in side of windshield and found when velcro gets hot on a hot sunny day, the glue that holds it, melts causing a sticky snail like trail as it sags down the windshield.

gary and i took our windshield halfs out and put a film on the inside of them-tinted them. this film looks a little like a mirror from the out side and i would say blocks 50% of the light (this is a guess) sorry don't rember the specs. and have changed computers so don't have pict. now
this works very well. before on hot days the dash would be so hot you couldn't touch it and now it feels cool to the touch.
gerry
 
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sbw1 said:
Wouldn't it be better to replace a few snaps on the normal canvas where needed? That way you will be able add the suncreen and remove the sunscreen without having to take off the enclosure canvas. I don't know about you, but we enjoy looking through clear glass unless the sun is too much to bear and things are heating up in the cockpit. We see a lot of people putting these things on during certain times of the day and then removing them.
Click to expand...

OK, I understand what you're saying now. You're talking about putting it on the outside with the double snaps (sorry, missed that the first time I read your post). I certainly agree that it should be made to be quick and easy.

I was trying to think of a way to do everything from the inside. Partly because I've got my boat in my head and I don't have a walk-around. John and you both do, so that opens up more possibilities. Anyways, my thoughts for the inside was to only replace a few of the boats snaps with the double ended ones. Maybe every 3 or 4 feet. The bottom of the screen might only need a few tabs made of black, nylon web-strap. But, doing it on the inside still leaves a question of what to do when you get the windshield. Might have to sew in a "heavy seam" on the bottom so it just lays along the dash.

EDIT: Hmmm... You could pop the snap off from the inside easy enough, but you'd still have to go outside to re-attach the canvas. That'd be a pain. The only way I can think of to attach it on the inside would be using velcro (sew it on), new snaps, sewing new zippers into the canvas for the screening, or the magnet idea. Still leaves the question about the windshield, though.

Hmmm... Maybe a heavy seam in the bottom hem would work nicely using the screening on the outside, too? This would be overkill, but just for an example, imagine sewing in a heavy jump rope into the bottom of the screening.

SBW1, do you see most people putting this screening up on the outside? I've only seen it a few times, but from afar. All I could really tell was that I couldn't see in very well.
 
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How about using some sort of soft cloth as your screening material in a dark color (pick a color that looks good in your cockpit). Then just sew hems all the way around and attach your snaps or velcro fasteners - whichever you decide works best. The soft material would be inexpensive, much easier to stow away than anything stiff & take up much less storage space, could be washed in your washing machine and would be very easy to fabricate.
 
Lazy Daze said:
EDIT: SBW1, do you see most people putting this screening up on the outside? I've only seen it a few times, but from afar. All I could really tell was that I couldn't see in very well.
Click to expand...

Yes. I've not seen it done from the inside before but I'm sure that could be made to work. Outside seems easier to me but then we have easy access to the area whereas others may not.
 
rabyers1 said:
How about using some sort of soft cloth as your screening material in a dark color (pick a color that looks good in your cockpit). Then just sew hems all the way around and attach your snaps or velcro fasteners - whichever you decide works best. The soft material would be inexpensive, much easier to stow away than anything stiff & take up much less storage space, could be washed in your washing machine and would be very easy to fabricate.
Click to expand...

Keep in mind the heat factor. Dark canvas or colors get very hot. White does a better job of keeping the heat on the outside of the boat.
 
I have a sun-screen on my boat that I use often to block out some of the heat and create some added privacy- it is made by GOIA Sails for Searay and made out of TEXTILENE - It is a great product, like SBW1 had stated, you don't need to add any additional snaps, up at the top near the Strataglass sections as they fasteners "gypsy" on -one snaps on the male and the other then females and I put in my side curtains to that. Mine is Black and it does help to keep down the heat in my Hardtop area. Mine snaps on the OUTSIDE of my windshield and I lift my wipers up when putting it down, It has velcro cut-outs for my center vent and I just slide half of it under my hardtop support poles-no big deal.
 
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Am I reading some of these right? Windshield outside and the rest inside? I do know that I want the panels inside for the majority of the boat. I picture myself inside the boat taking one or two down, not outside fussing with the panel which are now dirty. Across the windshield though, I could make an exception. The boat is already configured for a cockpit cover which we have never used. The snaps are in place. That would work for that section very well.

Does anyone know where I can get the snaps that slide into the channel in the windshield - the channel with the rubber inlay?
 
having been there all i can tell you, is if you shade the out side of window things stay cooler.
shade in side of the window and you make a thermal oven that traps heat between the shade material and glass. very efficient for storing heat.
maybe not the best to keep you cool.
you might be looking for different results than we want here when the temps go over 100*
 
Hampton said:
Am I reading some of these right? Windshield outside and the rest inside? I do know that I want the panels inside for the majority of the boat. I picture myself inside the boat taking one or two down, not outside fussing with the panel which are now dirty. Across the windshield though, I could make an exception. The boat is already configured for a cockpit cover which we have never used. The snaps are in place. That would work for that section very well.

Does anyone know where I can get the snaps that slide into the channel in the windshield - the channel with the rubber inlay?
Click to expand...

Since you already have the snaps for the cockpit cover at the bottom of the windshield, wouldn't it be easier to replace a few snaps on your eisenglass or strataglass panels with the ones that Lazy Daze is referring too? Or put them on the shade and snap it in first with the eisenglass/strataglass panels on top. I wish I could draw it out...
 
the last two links are the stuff your looking for
 
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