Visibility of a Sedan Bridge in rain? Plastic windows ?

J

jmunro123

Member
Feb 2, 2008
370
Gran Bend, Great Lakes
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 390 Motor Yacht
Engines
8.1's
I had a question for the Sedan owners. We are considering moving up to a 400SD. Since this boat (any many Sedan's) do not have a windsheild how do you see in rainy weather? As far as I can tell you would be looking through the plastic windows and would have have any windshield wipers. Is that a big concern?
 
I just don't go out in the rain. Just kidding.
The few times I got caught in such a situation, I just zipped up and managed fine. Main problem for me was that it quickly got stuffy and things fogged up a bit.
 
Correct. No wipers.
I have found that you can always find a clear view somewhere based on the way the water disperses. The clear spot may come and go, and it may move around, but more than likely it is there. Look for it and you will find it.
Best to avoid running in the rain, of course, but that isn't always an option. I've been trapped in rain twice in three seasons, and it isn't fun but it is manageable.
 
I wouldnt worry about it, I never found it to be an issue. Actually I often find the DA's wipers to be an issue and used more for spray than rain. Most of the time I dont even use them in rain, more a distraction - wish they had a delay. This is my first DA, all of my previous boats were SR DBs. :smt001
 
Always can put a window up front in the center section. This is a Mod I'm very close to doing. I've researched it and found a company to build me one that opens up inward. Wiper motor would mount to the frame. Lunchbox full of $20s ought to cover it.
I hate running in the rain with eyes glued to the Radar and Chartplotter. As was said before light rain's not bad but when it really starts pouring vis goes to 0.

Jack
 
Well at least a "lunch box full of 20's" is better than a "skid full of hundreds"!:smt043

Just run. Haven't had an issue yet where I haven't been able to maneuver due to visibility and in the worst case scenario, I'd just open the front canvas. Sure water would get in, but boats are generally designed to get wet and would survive the clean-up.

I've also looked at the Seaview insert and may consider that as a winter 10/11 mod. I've already blown the budget this year!!!

Paul
 
I frequently run either a 50 Viking or 54 Hat. for friends. In this area, in the summer, running in rain is an every day event. Rain never keeps us at home or prevents us from going where we need to go or doing what we intend to do. It is just something you learn to handle.

Good electronics helps, a second and 3rd set of eyes doing something besides looking in the cooler improves safety and remember: Speed is seldom your friend.
 
When I had eisenglass, a good coat of Plexus always worked well. The rain usually beads up and rolls off. If the eisenglass is dirty, forget it.
 
Is EZ2CY any better with the rain? I was considering upgrading, but may put it off til next year, $11,000. My windows aren't that bad yet. We did get stuck in a few rain storms and we managed. The A/C - Heat on the bridge helps with the fogging.

I was looking at that window-wiper insert thing, but the one I saw wasn't very attractive. It would be nice if you could stow it, and just zip it in when needed. Like snap the center panel up, and zip in the wiper panel.
 
This may be a dumb question, but can you put rain-x or something similiar on the eisenglass? Gary, is that what the Plexus is?
Mike
 
Rainx is not the product of choice. Breaks down the plasticizers or something. Will eventually make things turn yellow.
 
I recently started another thread on this very subject. Turns out Rain-X very very very bad on eisenglass.:smt021
Plexus is made specifically for plastic and works very well.

Jack
 
No problem running at all in rain....In fact, I like running in rain from the bridge boat than on my previous boat (41 dancer).....pending on the way the wind and rain are coming down and the way I am heading, I might open up my center panel just to get some air flow and better vision.....My panels almost go verticle so that is better than an angled windshield (even with wipers)
 
I run a 460 Sundancer almost more than I run my own boat. Its must easier to be looking out my bridge up high with 360 degree views when its raining then bending down to look through the windshield. I will say that now that the owner has replaced the standard Sea Ray eisenglass with Makralon its much much better.
 
I would agree with replacing the Isenglass with Mackralon if that is an option for you. When I had new canvas installed on our boat, we opted for the 60 mm Mackralon for the front windows because of its stiffness - almost like glass. I have only been out a few times, and it has always been raining. It is much easier for me to see out the Mackralon above the glass windshield with wipers, partly because I prefer standing to sitting when at the helm. One downside is the Mackralon cannot be rolled and must be stored flat - we are intending to leave it in place year round, or only taking the center panel out for more ventilation.
 
Last edited:
One thing that we did on this 460 was made the center section unzip from the sides and unsnap from the windshield in order to make it flip inwards to snap to the radar arch. Much easier to open it up without having to remove it and stow it somewhere flat. Not to mention its just a few zips and a snap to put it back down in 30 seconds.
 
La Maddalena said:
I would agree with replacing the Isenglass with Mackralon if that is an option for you. When I had new canvas installed on our boat, we opted for the 60 mm Mackralon for the front windows because of its stiffness - almost like glass. I have only been out a few times, and it has always been raining. It is much easier for me to see out the Mackralon above the glass windshield with wipers, partly because I prefer standing to sitting when at the helm. One downside is the Mackralon cannot be rolled and must be stored flat - we are intending to leave it in place year round, or only taking the center panel out for more ventilation.
Click to expand...

I'm curious, how much extra the Makralon was over the Eisenglass replacement?. My Strataglass only comes off for the winter so rolling isn't a problem.
 
The premium that we paid for five 60 mil Mackralon windows was $850.
 
La Maddalena said:
The premium that we paid for five 60 mil Mackralon windows was $850.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll have to see what the local canvas shop wants. I've got ALOT of Strataglass but I really like the way the mackralon looks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,202
Messages
1,428,452
Members
61,108
Latest member
asigman
Back
Top