Anyone using EZ2C or the like

boatrboy

boatrboy

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2006
1,855
Orange, CT
Boat Info
2006 340 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 8.1 Horizons with V-Drives
On my 340 Sundancer I have three front panels over the windshield I would love to have non flexible covers on someday. When not in use I could store them in the cabin.

I know very little about ez2c and wonder do they form the radius of the panels to match the windshield?

Are there any ballpark ideas on the cost of these three panels? $1500?

How well do they hold up in the sun? I’m only in the sun 6 months a year being in New England.

Thanks,

Mark
 
We use Makrolon. Marine 5 or some such. And it might have a new product name altogether. Works well. Similar to EZ2CY, but different.

Markolon can be sewn into the canvas. EZ2CY is apparently heat welded to the canvas.

-Chris
 
boatrboy said:
On my 340 Sundancer I have three front panels over the windshield I would love to have non flexible covers on someday. When not in use I could store them in the cabin.

I know very little about ez2c and wonder do they form the radius of the panels to match the windshield?

Are there any ballpark ideas on the cost of these three panels? $1500?

How well do they hold up in the sun? I’m only in the sun 6 months a year being in New England.

Thanks,

Mark
Click to expand...

Mark,

EZ2C is brand name and only available through their dealer channel. Other similar products exist. You will also see stiff products from Strata 40/60 to Tuffak (Makrolon) and other Polycarbs and Acrylics.

While this is a personal preference I would ask you to consider the fact that the materials like Tuffak are stiff and will not roll (they will take a bend). This means you give up the ability to add additional airflow without having to take down the entire panel. This can be cumbersome at times especially when weather conditions rapidly change or you want some additional air flow and would like to control it.

Our 340s it will get quite hot in the summer sun with out the flow of air and putting up and taking down a set every time is not ideal either. You may want to consider a hybrid approach where you could use hard panels in the side curtains and the center visor and a 30/40 Strata in the port and starboard visors were you could then install openings. (I prefer frowns).

Just my $0.02 and with inflation whats that worth? ;)

-Kevin
 
Thanks guys for the quick reply’s.

Kevin,
In my first year with this boat (last summer) I have found myself removing the center visor window completely often to get air flowing. This didn't seem too bad so I figured if the 3 visors are hard plastic, like now, when I removed it I throw it on the v-birth during travel. Actually, if the starboard one was the only hard panel, I would be happy as I just want a little more clarity. I have the “Soft top” so my visors are straighter than the standard.

I wonder if I have the hard plastic smile or frown sewn into existing window will that be terribly misshapen?
 
After purchasing an 04 340DA in 2006, I had the isinglass replaced with Strataglass, which is much clearer. I never removed it during the season and the only panel I would open was the center panel. I had that panel fabricated so that I could unzip the sides, unsnap the bottom of the panel, fold it back and snap it up to the radar arch for air flow. It held up very well for the 5-years I had the boat.
On my current boat, I had Tuffak Polycarbonate glass installed when I had the canvas fast back done over. It is clearer than the windshield glass, has no smile/frown windows and never gets removed. Two year later, it still looks like new.
 
I have poly-carbonate front windows, had strata 60 and that was not stiff at all. Love the poly-carbonate windows. They just don't last that long 5-6 yrs.
 
SKybolt said:
I have poly-carbonate front windows, had strata 60 and that was not stiff at all. Love the poly-carbonate windows. They just don't last that long 5-6 yrs.
Click to expand...
So by “last” what to they do? Wear threads that mount them through? Discolor the plastic making it hard to see?
 
boatrboy said:
So by “last” what to they do? Wear threads that mount them through? Discolor the plastic making it hard to see?
Click to expand...

They yellow and/or get striated. But are absolutely great until that happens.
 
I have EZ2CY (actual model Cool2CY) which has a tint to cut the UV heat down. They say it reduces UV.

It was installed in late 2016 and has held up pretty well but they are due for a good cleaning and polishing. Should happen tomorrow.
Overall we like them very much over Isenglass.

We do miss the ease of removing isenglass but our bridge has a/c and heat so we keep them sealed mostly year round. There are a couple dozen days a year we open the center (front and rear) which pivots to the interior ceiling and is secured. When running on a comfortable day or when on the hook.

Overall this is one of the better compromises but when on the hook during the summer without that a/c it’s not very comfortable on the bridge.

My other friends that have a bridge boat without any isinglass or EZ2CY have a better experience when on the hook while sitting on the bridge. Almost always a nice breeze up there as long as you have shade.

IMG_9507.jpeg
 
We had a similar polycarbonate product on our 320. We did the front 3 only and left the sides as strata. The front center we would snap to the arch. When at anchor we would remove all 3 if there were no signs of rain in the forecast however the center open was enough for good airflow. You can't roll then and you don't want to scratch them for what they cost. When they were down I stored them in a custom made sleeve under the forward mattress. The downside i have seen like @SKybolt stated after 5-6 years you start to see crazing in them (slight lines looks like cracking). Sucks as you would think you would get at least 8-10 years based on how expensive they are. EZ2CY from what I understand is a proprietary process which I understand welds the seems vs stitching which is what your local shop would do on site.
 
Captsteve427 said:
I never removed it during the season and the only panel I would open was the center panel. I had that panel fabricated so that I could unzip the sides, unsnap the bottom of the panel, fold it back and snap it up to the radar arch for air flow.
Click to expand...
Exactly what I do now
 
rlynch03 said:
I have EZ2CY (actual model Cool2CY) which has a tint to cut the UV heat down. They say it reduces UV.

It was installed in late 2016 and has held up pretty well but they are due for a good cleaning and polishing. Should happen tomorrow.
Overall we like them very much over Isenglass.

We do miss the ease of removing isenglass but our bridge has a/c and heat so we keep them sealed mostly year round. There are a couple dozen days a year we open the center (front and rear) which pivots to the interior ceiling and is secured. When running on a comfortable day or when on the hook.

Overall this is one of the better compromises but when on the hook during the summer without that a/c it’s not very comfortable on the bridge.

My other friends that have a bridge boat without any isinglass or EZ2CY have a better experience when on the hook while sitting on the bridge. Almost always a nice breeze up there as long as you have shade.

View attachment 146581
Click to expand...

Today we had the EZ2CY polished inside and out. What a difference. All the fine little scratches seem to be gone. Looks really good.
 
I did poly carbonate 5 years ago…. It is crackling now….. my new canvas guy says it’s the coating and they fixed it… I paid $500/panel so $2500…. He said $1,000 a panel……. I don’t mind the crackling now
 
Blueone said:
I did poly carbonate 5 years ago…. It is crackling now….. my new canvas guy says it’s the coating and they fixed it… I paid $500/panel so $2500…. He said $1,000 a panel……. I don’t mind the crackling now
Click to expand...

Wow that's expensive. I just had three panels replaced and it was $800 for all three. Might be worth a trip back to Kent Narrows. Red eye's started there bikini contest's again ...
 
SKybolt said:
Wow that's expensive. I just had three panels replaced and it was $800 for all three. Might be worth a trip back to Kent Narrows. Red eye's started there bikini contest's again ...
Click to expand...

We had to replace one EC2CY panel 3’ x 4’ (roughly) and it costs $900.

Didn’t know Red Eyes started that back up… Sunday afternoon’s?
 
When I purchased my boat 5 years ago, the previous owner had the entire cockpit and bimini replaced. I put up the glass on the first winter because I had to pull the generator out for rebuild and wanted to be enclosed. Since then I stored the glass below the bed and haven't pulled it out since. It's literally brand new. Way too hot in Texas to have an enclosure IMO.
 
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