Cover or not? Polycarbonate windows

[Dr. D]

Our new boat has polycarbonate windows in the dodger. It came with no fabric covers for the windows. Looking around I’ve seen many boats with no covers on these windows. I’ve also read about scratching these windows with covers.

So, cover or not?

[Reefmagnet]

Polycarbonate is softer (scratches easier) and will break down faster with UV light exposure than will acrylic (but it sure is a lot tougher!). Based on the relative short time it takes UV to damage polycarbonate, I'd be inclined to install covers. Having said that, I live in the tropics where UV is strong, so you might not have the problem quite so bad where you are?

[thinwater]

Another option is short awnings that keep the bird crap off the windows and block most of the sun, but do not actually touch the windows. These really worked for me. They were worth it just in terms of not having to clean the widows in order to see!



(not the front windows--the windows on the dodger)

[coopec43]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ing-11539.html

Standard Polycarbonate resins are not suitable for long term exposure to UV radiation. To overcome this the primary resin can have UV Stabilisers added. ... Other applications including Polycarbonate sheet may have the anti-UV layer added as a special coating or a coextrusion for enhanced weathering resistance.(Wiki)

Unlike glass, pure acrylic (PMMA) does not filter ultraviolet (UV) light. Acrylic can transmit UV light down to 300 nm. Standard acrylic, like e.g. Plexiglas, includes an additive to make the acrylic absorb UV light. (Hydrosight)

I have made up 4 fiberglass covers for my deck hatches but I see no reason why I couldn't do something similar for dodger windows. (I have ss clips I purchased on eBay in the mail)


I have yet to make up my solid dodger but at this stage I intend using two deck hatches (one overhead and one in front) as well as two toughened glass windows at front.