Adding U-shaped cutouts to front isenglass...

[KeithD]

I'm thinking of adding the U-shaped cutouts to my front isenglass, so I can zip them up for better visibility without removing the whole piece.
Question is, who prefers the U cutouts to be U-shaped, or an upside-down U? And why...
I think the way I drive, I'm better off with them rolling up to the top, vs rolling down to the edge of the glass.
Thanks,
Keith

 

[boatmailster]

all i've seen so far have u shape (normal way) i think to prevent water going right to zipper and leaking into cockpit

 

[fwebster]

Up or down, unless the panel is vertical, u-cut outs with zippers are going to leak. Your canvas guy can fabricate facings to cover the zippers, but the facings obscure your vision.

As an alternative, some folks here add snaps to the inside of their arch and then unzip the sides of the front panels, unsnap the bottom edge and snap them up against the arch.

 

[waterlogged]

I just had that done to my center piece and it does leak. Regardless of which way you go, water accumulates between the isenglass and the zipper fabric, gets saturated and leaks through. I does provide great ventilation though.

 

[ditto]

frown is what i had done on my boats!!, I can unzip a small amount of open space in rain to see better than thru the plastic.. but keep the dash dry (more or less)un zip all the way in nice weather... roll up or leave flat on dash.

My guy adds a zipper guard or flap to help prevent water leaks... $150 per window..

 

[waterlogged]

In only paid $95, guess that's why mine leaks

 

[CAMELLA]

I had U-Zips installed last winter and I just wish I would of had them installed when I first purchased the boat. The ease of rolling up the isenglass is much better than removing them every time you take the boat out. I do get a few drops of water in the cockpit if we get some heavy rain but I get drops in the cockpit from other areas. Make sure the fabricator overlaps the zippers with fabric, this will help keep the rain out. I would highly recommend getting U-Zips installed. I spend $115 for each curtain, 5 curtains total, well worth it.