Question about restoring isinglass windows.

Little Ducky

Well-Known Member
Jun 5, 2017
2,652
Dickson, TN / Chattanooga, TN
Boat Info
1998 290 Sundancer
Engines
Twin EFI 5.0L w/Alphas
Kohler 4kW
Good morning,

I have a question about restoring isinglass windows.

I bought my 98 290 SD last year and I knew it came with various covers and plastic pieces but didn't even unpack them until yesterday. Well, I installed the front window pieces yesterday and as you figured being 20 years old they were pretty beat up. They looked to have been rolled up and stored for some time so they didn't really unroll completely even after sitting in the sun for an hour. After installation they really need some TLC. I cleaned them up with Plexus which removed some of the grime but they are a long way from being where they need to be.

So my question. To smooth out some of the rolls and creases that have developed does isinglass respond well to heat...... like a hair drier or heat gun?
 
Good morning,

I have a question about restoring isinglass windows.

I bought my 98 290 SD last year and I knew it came with various covers and plastic pieces but didn't even unpack them until yesterday. Well, I installed the front window pieces yesterday and as you figured being 20 years old they were pretty beat up. They looked to have been rolled up and stored for some time so they didn't really unroll completely even after sitting in the sun for an hour. After installation they really need some TLC. I cleaned them up with Plexus which removed some of the grime but they are a long way from being where they need to be.

So my question. To smooth out some of the rolls and creases that have developed does isinglass respond well to heat...... like a hair drier or heat gun?

Just replace them. The old ones will make your boat look like a POS and are dangerous if you cant see through them.

You can still get a full OEM canvas and isinglass set for your boat from Great Lakes Boat Tops.
http://www.greatlakesboattop.com/canvas-search

Or you can get them from Harvard Marine, which I think is just a sales agent for Great Lakes:
http://rnr-marine.com/auto/Sea-Ray_290-Sundancer_(1998-1998).shtml#products
  1. FULL Bimini & Sunshade Enclosure Canvas SET, SeaMark® (OEM) - Factory 7-item (10-piece) Enclosure SET: Bimini and Sunshade Tops, Valances, Visor, Side-Curtains, Aft-Curtain (no frames or boot covers) SeaMark tops, Sunbrella Visor and Curtains, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) for Sea Ray® 290 Sundancer (1998) , $2,566.21 , SALE PRICE: $2,360.92 (Full Set Discount plus Fall Sale = 8% off)

I have used both Harvard and then Great Lakes for the past two replacements.
 
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Or you could contact me. ;) We are a site sponsor and Great Lakes Boat Top distributor. When you see our banner ad for Cove Marine that us. You can follow the link or get my info at www.covemarine.com or just PM here.

-Kevin
 
My 290 had the same issue. I took to my local canvas shop and had them replace all the glass. Was cheaper then buying new and did not want to take the chance on a wrong color match on all the canvas
 
My 290 had the same issue. I took to my local canvas shop and had them replace all the glass. Was cheaper then buying new and did not want to take the chance on a wrong color match on all the canvas

If you are trying to match the original canvas when ordering from GLBT they have the records of the original Sunbrella color options and therefore it should match as well as any new sunbrella canvas would.

While it may be less expensive to just sew in new eisenglass it is not a fair comparison since the GLBT visors and curtains are all new including canvas, zippers and velcro. Additionally there is no residual eisenglass left behind - I have seen visors with many layers of residual eisenglass and all that left over binds up when you try to roll it up.

On the other hand you are limited to the eisenglass used when built originally for Sea Ray.

-Kevin
 
Thanks folks.

Gave me something to think about.

My spare change is going towards mechanical repairs this winter so I might have to forgo buying new canvas but I'm happy to see the price. I thought it was going to be much higher.

When I visit the boat again I will get out the rest of the pieces and do a complete assessment and then go from there.

If I do buy new it will be the complete package so matching the faded green will not be a problem. ;)
 
I gave my serial # to rnr marine for the front and back valance on my arch. They said they matched the original color but when i got it it did not match at all. Not a fade problem just a color match problem. Was not happy
 
Or you could contact me. ;) We are a site sponsor and Great Lakes Boat Top distributor. When you see our banner ad for Cove Marine that us. You can follow the link or get my info at www.covemarine.com or just PM here.

-Kevin

Oops. Thanks for letting all of us know. You are on my list to contact for the next replacement.
 
Chris - contact John Hendrix at Hendrix Canvas. He's done a lot of work on C Dock - very reasonable and keeps to a schedule. 423-710-4429. He has a Facebook page that shows his work...
 
Chris - contact John Hendrix at Hendrix Canvas. He's done a lot of work on C Dock - very reasonable and keeps to a schedule. 423-710-4429. He has a Facebook page that shows his work...

I'll keep him in mind. I already have him "liked" on facebook.

I'll see how everything looks in a few weeks once it had time to relax. I think the previous owner never used and just kept everything rolled up and stored.
 
My forward window was replaced several years ago (new one sewn in and the old one cut) but I didn't do the side curtains. So, finally this spring I had them done with frown zippers installed and couldn't be happier about the decision.
2018-05-25 09.57.53.jpg
 
I'll keep him in mind. I already have him "liked" on facebook.

I'll see how everything looks in a few weeks once it had time to relax. I think the previous owner never used and just kept everything rolled up and stored.
Hair dryer will help relax it as you install it...
 
I replaced my canvases after 5 years and used Great Lakes. After 5 more years the isinglass was horribly discolored again. I went to a local canvas guy and had him replace just the isinglass in the existing canvas. The price was @ 40% less than replacing everything, but the big advantage is that the isinglass he used is a much better quality and heavier grade than what Great Lakes uses. Its been 5 years and no issues, they still look great.
 
I replaced my canvases after 5 years and used Great Lakes. After 5 more years the isinglass was horribly discolored again. I went to a local canvas guy and had him replace just the isinglass in the existing canvas. The price was @ 40% less than replacing everything, but the big advantage is that the isinglass he used is a much better quality and heavier grade than what Great Lakes uses. Its been 5 years and no issues, they still look great.
What do you clean it with? Anything with ammonia will cloud the plastic.
 
Does anyone use zipper extenders?

When I started the install I would have said nothing was going to fit...... but after a good struggle most everything zipped and even the rubber went into the window track. The only thing I could not get zipped were the smaller side pieces that attach to the radar arch zippers.

If the current canvas doesn't relax enough I was thinking about some zipper extenders.

Does anyone know if our canvas uses #8 or #10 zipper teeth zippers?
 
you can try wetting the canvas with water....that helps relax the canvas.....

cliff
 
you can try wetting the canvas with water....that helps relax the canvas.....

cliff

There isn't much canvas around these window section. I'm hoping once the windows relax a bit the zippers will be ok.

Like I mentioned before I'm not sure the previous owner used them at all and when I tried to unroll them they didn't want to flatten out at all. So I hope over time and some nice sunny days they will be just fine for some winter time boating.

Having a covered slip really helps keep an older boat nice.
 
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Does anyone use zipper extenders?

When I started the install I would have said nothing was going to fit...... but after a good struggle most everything zipped and even the rubber went into the window track. The only thing I could not get zipped were the smaller side pieces that attach to the radar arch zippers.

If the current canvas doesn't relax enough I was thinking about some zipper extenders.

Does anyone know if our canvas uses #8 or #10 zipper teeth zippers?

I did on your 260DA and the work really great!

See the website and your question about 8-10 teeth is answered I believe.

https://www.canvas-boat-cover-and-repair-advisor.com/ez-xtend-boat-zippers.html#clicktobuy

Bennett
 
I used the zipper extensions. Made my life easier. My canvas was rolled up for 7 years before i got it. Power washed everything lightly and then waterproofed. First time i tried to put it all on took over 2 hours and and some yelling. Got 1 inch zipper extension and worked great. I used them all over the boat. Also had canvas man cut off rubber track to my isanglass and install snaps in them. Trust me. Well worth it
 

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