Windshield Canvas and Driving Rain

[Shaker-King]

My question is for those of you that have forward helm boats with canvas tops. While running in the rain do you stay dry?

I have an open bow Bayliner that has a full top and wind screen. Yesterday while getting back to the dock the rain was coming down in sheets. The water was moving up the windshield and through the crack between the windshield and the top. We were both soaked by the time we got back to the dock. Do real fishing boats have the same issue or do you stay dry while driving?

I have seen that folks use RainX on the windshield but does anyone use it on the clear plastic windows that are part of the canvas?

Has anyone used the anti-fog stuff that they sell for glasses and mirrors on the inside windows of the boat?

[trap50]

Mine stays dry. I have windshield wiper on mine and also set my heater up as a defroster. Toasty, dry plus fog free.

[ 02-01-2004, 08:23 AM: Message edited by: trap50 ]

[Digifish]

Shaker-
It must be common because on the run back to the dock yesterday I was clipping along pretty good and the rain was being driven through every tiny crack it could find. Not much of a problem but very annoying. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

I dont know about the Rain-X on the clear plastic but I would sure like to find something that really works. Anybody have any goods suggestions to keep the visibility better?

[HOGTIDE]

The clear plastic is always kind of a problem. One thing I have found that does help it out in general is KIT scratch remover (find it in the auto section at WalMart). Takes out the dull look quickly and it's easy. I put rain-x on the outside and the fog stuff on the inside of my glass windows. The Rain-x works well, but I think washes away kinda easily. The fog stuff works, but I think comes off easily, too.

Yes driving into rain at high speed will force a bit of water in at the very base of my swinging window. But, I can just move my leg out of the way....Hey...your supposed to get a little wet and cold...you're a fisherman...not a computer geek,,,,,oooops...I'm on the computer, huh

[wannacatchem]

Yesterday gave me the first opportunity to find all the seams in my "waterproof" top that leaked. They are all marked and will get gooed up when its dry. No much of a problem having rain forced in thru cracks....but then again I was wearing a full rain suit......

What was stressed to me was to NOT use ammonia based cleaners (Windex) on the plastic windows. Rainex takes a few applications to build up and should be put on when the windows are dry. Same with the anit-fog stuff.

[ 02-01-2004, 09:18 AM: Message edited by: wannacatchem ]

[Blazerboy]

Our boat stays pretty dry up to about 40 mph and that is really all the faster I have drivin it in the hard rain. Its a new top and I don't have anything special, just a little rainx on the windows out front. But hey you have to get wet to catch fish right!!

[sparse gray hackle]

I just talked to the top guy about the same thing. He said that he could put a weather strip on the top ahead the snaps that would seal about 90% of the water and that he didn't need the boat just the top. :smile:

[Shaker-King]

I don't have a problem getting wet although, I don't mind staying dry either. My first mate on the other hand really likes to stay dry. Fishing in the rain didn't bother her much because she enjoys fishing. I think the thought of getting soaked just sitting there wasn't high on her list of fun.

I like the weather strip idea, I was also wondering about velcro. The windshield doesn't have fixed snaps. It has plastic clips that snap onto the window molding that have the snap attached. These clips move around and the velcro may prevent that.

At minimum I want to put this on the list: Reasons for a New Boat #343. Stay a little dryer

[fishhog1]

Shaker King Do not use Rain-x or Rain-x never fog on plastic. It works great on glass but is alcohol based and is not intended for use on plastic or vinyl.