dead horse

[scootdogg]

i have searched and searched and i get close but to no avail. i have a 280DA that i store in a covered slip year round. during the summer i just run the main bimini. during the colder months i install the camper enclosure. the fabric is starting to show wear and the "fit" is so tight that i cant even snap all the snaps. the glass is so distorted from being rolled that you cant see out of it. No scratches or discoloration though. i am thinking of ordering all new canvas and glass from great lakes boat tops. my question is... i have read a lot about strata glass and the advantages. but i am also mildly cost conscious. great lakes does not install strata instead they use 30 gauge rolled glass. i would love to hear some input on this. i just want to be able to use the camper enclosures and actually see out of them while underway!

 

[jason78]

I don't have any advise on the Strataglass but did want to let you know that Great Lakes is having their 20% off sale on all orders placed before 11/1/11 should you decide to go that route. Use Promo Code FALL11 when ordering.

 

[sdarc]

When I did my canvas last year I went with Carolina Custom Canvas herre on the lake. http://www.cccoflkn.com/. The stratoglas was 3 times the price of eisenglas I think. Because it comes in 4x sheets. Can be a lot of waste.
On the 270 I just bought, all the glass had also been rolled for ever. I put it up left it out in the sun and then Plexus. Came out pretty good.

 

[fwebster]

Before you spend money for a top that you only use a few weeks a year, try soaking the canvas in warm water, then installing it wet. Sunbrella tends to shrink when cold and stretching it on the frames/snaps when wet usually gets it to regain its shape and fit.

Strataglass has UV and scratch resistant coatings so it will last longer and be more optically clear than isinglass, but it must be rolled when stored. Most people roll a towel or sheet inside the Strataglass panel to preserve the coatings and prevent scratching. It is worth the up-charge.......I've used it on my boat for the last 10 years and would not even consider Isinglass if the boat is a keeper.

 

[scootdogg]

is there anything i can do to try and save my existing glass and canvas. it really isnt in that bad of shape but i just cant see anything. no scratches or creases. just wavy and distorted!

Before you spend money for a top that you only use a few weeks a year, try soaking the canvas in warm water, then installing it wet. Sunbrella tends to shrink when cold and stretching it on the frames/snaps when wet usually gets it to regain its shape and fit.

Strataglass has UV and scratch resistant coatings so it will last longer and be more optically clear than isinglass, but it must be rolled when stored. Most people roll a towel or sheet inside the Strataglass panel to preserve the coatings and prevent scratching. It is worth the up-charge.......I've used it on my boat for the last 10 years and would not even consider Isinglass if the boat is a keeper.

 

[rondds]

Scoot
Trying to install that stuff in the cold is always a Beeotch. SHRINKAGE! If you can't do it when it's warm out, leave the pieces in the car with the windows rolled up on a sunny day (just what you DON'T want to do with Fido) to soften it. I wasn't aware you could soak it in warm water too. Sounds messy but if Frank says it works, it works!

 

[Henry Boyd]

I had the front three visors, two forward side panels converted to Strataglass and the rear camper window converted to a larger Strataglass zip out w/screen by a local canvas shop. They did a bunch of other stuff, but the portion for the window conversion was less than $ 600.00. After a full season it is fantastic. The coatings that the manufacturer put on do work to keep the interior cooler. We had the front three done in the 2010 mid season and noticed a huge before and after difference. Best of all you can see out of all of the windows!


Henry

 

[Gofirstclass]

To get a tight canvas to go on a bit easier, try easing off on some of the poles if you can. Remove some of the braces from their hold down brackets to take some of the tension off the main parts of the bimini frame. Also, try starting all the zippers just an inch or two and fasten the snaps then before you zip any of them all the way.

On the issue of strataglass, I had it on my 330 Dancer and loved it. My current boat came with roll up material and I don't like it as well. When it comes time to replace a panel I'm going to go with Strataglass.