Isinglass - Gauge Question & Tint or No Tint

[LattitudeAdjustment]

I am getting ready to have new canvas put on my 02 380DA and had a couple questions about the Isinglass. Is there a preferred gauge for the front and side panels? One quote I had spec'd 40 and the other 30.

The second question is if I should select the Isinglass material that is tinted. Where I am in FL, the sun is relentless and we need all the help we can get to cut down on the sun entering the boat. It would be a light tint and the canvas installer informed me it would not affect my night vision. We do a fair amount of coastal and intra-coastal cruising at night. I do not want to compromise my ability to see and avoid any object at night (or daytime). Does anyone have experience with their Isinglass tinted and do you have any comments to share?

TY,
Vince
(If your are in the path of the storm, bet of luck)

 

[KevinC]

There is a little more to the eisenglass besides just the gauge and each has it purpose. The two main categories are rolled and sheets - this has to with the production process. The rolled is less expensive and quite serviceable but the sheets are a little better looking with less waviness in the material. While the gauge will have something to with how they will look there are a couple of things to take into consideration. If you plan on putting up these eisenglass visors and leaving them in place the heavier sheeted material may give you more of a clean windshield look. If you plan on putting them up and taking them down on a regular basis the thinner rolled will make this process easier - especially if you roll and store.

As far as the heat goes - I think either will turn your cockpit into a greenhouse trapping the heat. To combat the sun you really need to reflect the sun back and probably the best way to do that would be with white sun shades made to fit over your windshield and eisenglass areas. (white reflects the most light). Of course this does not help when you are underway.

I know this is not the exact info you were looking for but I hope it helps.

-Kevin

 

[Larry Sturm]

I am getting ready to have new canvas put on my 02 380DA and had a couple questions about the Isinglass. Is there a preferred gauge for the front and side panels? One quote I had spec'd 40 and the other 30.

The second question is if I should select the Isinglass material that is tinted. Where I am in FL, the sun is relentless and we need all the help we can get to cut down on the sun entering the boat. It would be a light tint and the canvas installer informed me it would not affect my night vision. We do a fair amount of coastal and intra-coastal cruising at night. I do not want to compromise my ability to see and avoid any object at night (or daytime). Does anyone have experience with their Isinglass tinted and do you have any comments to share?

TY,
Vince
(If your are in the path of the storm, bet of luck)

I agree with KevinC comments on thickness, I also do some night traveling and would go with no tint. If it has a tint I don’t know how your canvas guy could say it won’t effect your night vision.

 

[Gofirstclass]

If I were an attorney representing a guy who was involved in a collision with your boat after dark and I found out that you had tinted windows on your boat my greed glands would be running wild.

Just sayin'

 

[LattitudeAdjustment]

Kevin, thanks for the education on the Isinglass. Very good stuff. We plan on leaving it in place and using the zip-outs. Hoping the 4g will roll up OK for the zip-outs.

I am leaning on the side of no tint as well. We can have all the greatest electronics in the world, but we still have to look out the window.

This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for and appreciate everyone's input.

 

[Quint4]

A slight green tint is gaining some popularity with marine eisenglass. It actually looks kinda neat on some boats especially center consoles.

 

[Creekwood]

Here is a picture of my last boat with tint. Great in the daytime to reduce glare and heat. At night I left the front panel up and looked through.