Isenglass replacement?

[Groucho]

Hi all,
Does anyone have a source to replace the thin Isenglass with the heavier and clearer...I think it's stratoglass? I plan on leaving it up, at least the front pieces for most of the time and would like a premium product.
I am hoping they may already have the template for my 320.
Thanks!

Sorry for the cross post, just trying to get as much exposure as possible ;-)

 

[Henry Boyd]

I had all of our eisenglass replaced with strataglass on our 280. Well worth the cost in clarity. We also found the cockpit seemed cooler with strataglass. Totally unscientific, but we found could keep the clear up on sunny days and not swelter.

 

[Third Edition]

A vote for strataglas, here, too. Have had it 3 years and wouldn't go back (unless forced)!

It's for sale on Amazon.

 

[CaptRonn]

Sailrite.com

 

[midexp]

If you're going to leave the windows up, go 1 step better than strataglass and go polycarb. You literally cannot tell you're looking through a window. I did this a few years ago for my 3 front pieces and absolutely love it. Bit more $ but worth it.

 

[b_arrington]

I had my front canvas windows replaced with strataglass when they wore out. I was aiminf for longer wear in the sun and better scratch resistance. I sold the boat so can’t comment on the UV resistance, but I didn’t find the strata much better at resisting scratches than regular window material. At least not for the premium.

 

[DWABoat]

I had all of our eisenglass replaced with strataglass on our 280. Well worth the cost in clarity. We also found the cockpit seemed cooler with strataglass. Totally unscientific, but we found could keep the clear up on sunny days and not swelter.

Did your supplier have a pre-made set for a 280? If so, do you recall the vendor? Thinking about getting this my 280.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I found a local shop that simply swapped my eisen to strata using my existing canvas. If you currently have canvas in good shape, this may be an easy route. Mike

 

[KevinC]

I found a local shop that simply swapped my eisen to strata using my existing canvas. If you currently have canvas in good shape, this may be an easy route. Mike

While this is a popular route for people to go - I do want to raise one point for awareness. When the shop replaces the eisenglass it is typically being sewn onto the facing over the old eisenglass and then the old panel is cut out. If your eisenglass has shrunk or deformed in anyway this change in size or shape will be transferred to the replacement eisenglass. It is possible let the person handling the replacement know that you need additional size. Depending on how much the facing may have shrunk it may be possible to extend it but it will make the replacement trickier.

Here is a video about the typical process by sailrite:

-Kevin

 

[Henry Boyd]

Did your supplier have a pre-made set for a 280? If so, do you recall the vendor? Thinking about getting this my 280.

No, both times they laid the material down on the canvas and sowed it in place. They then cut the old stuff. The first time it was the OEM canvas. The second time we ordered replacement canvas from Great Lakes who only do eisenglass. We used that for a couple seasons and missed the clarity of the strataglass.

 

[KevinC]

No, both times they laid the material down on the canvas and sowed it in place. They then cut the old stuff. The first time it was the OEM canvas. The second time we ordered replacement canvas from Great Lakes who only do eisenglass. We used that for a couple seasons and missed the clarity of the strataglass.

Just a little clarification regarding this statement... Great Lakes will only provide factory replacements using the same materials that were spec'd by Sea Ray. Many times they used regular eisenglass. However, in other cases Sea Ray spec'd out Strataglass and that is that material that will be used on those visors and curtains.

-Kevin

 

[Henry Boyd]

Just a little clarification regarding this statement... Great Lakes will only provide factory replacements using the same materials that were spec'd by Sea Ray. Many times they used regular eisenglass. However, in other cases Sea Ray spec'd out Strataglass and that is that material that will be used on those visors and curtains.

-Kevin

Ah, someone is channeling the ghost of the infamous Wingless. Since we are picking nits, we were discussing upgrading eisenglass. Your point would seem to be moot as those with strataglass are unlikely to be in the market for an eisenglass upgrade.

 

[KevinC]

Ah, someone is channeling the ghost of the infamous Wingless. Since we are picking nits, we were discussing upgrading eisenglass. Your point would seem to be moot as those with strataglass are unlikely to be in the market for an eisenglass upgrade.

I am certainly not trying to "pick nits" and I do take offense to your comment. If you follow my posts you will see that I try to be more than helpful and stay away from attacks. With regards to the 280DA you are correct that Great Lakes would only do eisenglass. I am was not trying to make this a personal attack.

-Kevin

 

[dtfeld]

I had my front and side curtains replaced with stratoglass by my local canvas guy. The original material was sandwiched front and back by good sunbrella.

I had him pull the old material out and sew the new stratoglass material in, re sandwiching the stratoglass in between. $2k job on a 410.

They turned out really nice.

 

[Henry Boyd]

I am certainly not trying to "pick nits" and I do take offense to your comment. If you follow my posts you will see that I try to be more than helpful and stay away from attacks. With regards to the 280DA you are correct that Great Lakes would only do eisenglass. I am was not trying to make this a personal attack.

-Kevin

I’m not sure I understand your reaction. The original post asked how to upgrade from “thin Isenglass” on their existing sea ray canvas. I made my comment regarding GLC because I was told by them in no uncertain terms they would not make any canvas for me that was not to the Sea Ray pattern regardless of price. That left me to buy their canvas and upgrade it later. Clearly my choice, and clearly the only possibility for others wishing to upgrade to a better grade of clear material.

While your statement may be factual that GLC will supply strataglass on sea ray replacement canvas originally specified with it, it is also irrelevant as the point of the whole thread is to explore upgrading canvas originally made with eisenglass. In the context of the discussion it was an irrelevant statement.

If you choose to be offended by my reply, that’s your prerogative. It wasn’t my intent to offend.

 

[joeyleggz]

On the second season of my new great lakes canvas set the thin isinglass had already broken down halfway through the second season I brought my canvas to a local reputable shop and had them replace it with 40 gauge opticlear I’m on year five and still holding up fine .The biggest problem with the front windows is the angle to the sun my older amberjack had a custom Bimini top where the front glass windows were closer to a 90° angle less exposure to the sun and lasted a decade. I keep my canvas up most of the time and if I have to take it down I can still roll the 40 Gauge I’ll attach a picture of the Great Lakes, 40 gauge, old amberjack Bimini angle