Found out enclosed bridge has problems keeping windows clear at night! Help!

houston water boy

New Member
Nov 5, 2012
11
kemah and galveston texas
Boat Info
2004 480 sedan
11ft boston whaler
Engines
cummins QSM 11
So I bought my dream boat, a 39 Sea Ray Motoryacht, got it home in time to get familiar with it enough to invite the gang out for annual X-mas boat parade on Clear Lake, (30 miles from Galveston Tx.) About half way thru parade the windows started fogging up and it got really hard to see thru as it was dark thirty out! It seemed the more I cleaned the wondows the worse they got. I had all the windows open and all eisenglass rolled up, although I did have 14 partiers partying up.
Turned on the AC and aimed the defrosters right on the window, didn't help, lots of moisture as dew was falling early for the evening. Wipers helped.
So I'm thinking really cleaning with strongest window cleaner then maybe some anti fog Rain-X? The windows were professionally cleaned by detail crew the week before.
Anybody have any similiar problems or have any ideas to avoid this in future?
 
It may have something to do with the cleaner the detail crew used on the windshield and side windows. I like plain ol' vinegar and water. Cuts oil and grease and doesn't leave a film on the glass.
 
The 40MY has the same windshield configuration (essentially it's the same boat with a different name) but have never experienced this problem to the extent you describe. I have recently stumbled on a combination of products to maintain my glass. On the outside I use Aquapel Glass Windshield Cleaner. It's made by PPG, the glassmaker and works extremely well for cleaning with no film. The glass repels everything for a number of months, much like Rain-X but I think better and without any issues I have heard about (blotching, hazing, short lifespan) using Rain-X on a boat. On the inside I use Invisible Glass made by Stoner. It does a good job for me as well.
 
Going north it rains most of the time. All our winds fog up most days on the upper helm.
I installed a 40,000 BTU heater that runs off waste heat from one engine through a heat exchanger off the anti freeze system. I have a 20AMP 12 volt pump that is used on busses to provide circulation of the anti freeze to the upper helm. In all it works well. The windows become clear after 15 minutes and it is warm.
Dry heat seems to be the solution with a good blower.
 
thanks guys, I'm gonna try the Aquapel outside and stoner on the inside, the Aquapel sounds like great stuff. Ha! In the end vinegar probably works as well but if i spend $ to clean windows I'm just so sure it will be better! LOL!
I'm not a night guy but when your doing parades you are! I just as soon never drive at night.
 
The coatings on the windows may help, but in the end you have a humidity/cold issue allowing moisture to condensate on the windows. Blowing warm air on the windows is the real solution.
 
The coatings on the windows may help, but in the end you have a humidity/cold issue allowing moisture to condensate on the windows. Blowing warm air on the windows is the real solution.

Right the mark. When we go out in cold, damp weather, I run the a/c set to a fairly high temp (75-80) and let it run for an hour or so in the slip before guests show up. Also have the fan speed set high so there is good air movement in the bridge. Drop curtain keeps the temps where it needs to be so the humidity is not a problem.
 

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