Best curtain material to avoid shrinkage

[bgreene]

What kind of plastic side curtains doesn't shrink much ?

Had a beautiful custom set on my old Mako but learned that if off the boat for a few months, the snaps wouldn't line up easily due o shrinkage.

Kept on the boat at all times, the curtains were fine - being snapped in place didn't allow for shrinkage.

[macojoe]

yea my wife was wondering about how to avoid shrinkage!! :clap:

[bgreene]

yea my wife was wondering about how to avoid shrinkage!! :clap:

Maybe just tell the wife that if she gets involved and provides " proper care and handling" shrinkage shouldn't be an issue..........

[Blue_Runner]

Actually, more tongue weight ALWAYS helps with the shrinkage issue. BAHAHAHAHA!! :clap:

[Blue_Runner]

B - my enclosure is made of some type of vinyl stuff. Pretty dang durable and virtually water proof. Shrinkage has not been a big issue except in the cold of winter she shrinks some, but always limbers up in the warm weather. When winter fishing I have even put the curtains inside the truck to warm them up before trying to snap them in just to avoid the issue.

[bgreene]

B - my enclosure is made of some type of vinyl stuff. Pretty dang durable and virtually water proof. Shrinkage has not been a big issue except in the cold of winter she shrinks some, but always limbers up in the warm weather. When winter fishing I have even put the curtains inside the truck to warm them up before trying to snap them in just to avoid the issue.

Is it hot in the summer ? Can you still open the center windshield section for air ?

I'm thinking about adding the curtains primarily to cut the spray when quartering through chop, mostly in the cooler months. Still nice to have to keep salt water spray out of the forward section. Thanks

[Blue_Runner]

It would be hot in the summer - that is why I only use the front windsheild in the hotter months. I leave the side and rear panels at home. You can cut down on the spray a whole lot by just using the front curtain.

[Vic L]

I am in the canvas business, and I always suggest sheet glass to my customers rather than extruded glass which comes on a roll. The sheet glass although a bit more expensive gives much better clearity, longevity and minimum shrinkage. If you are looking to get it done in NJ you may want to try Gioia Sails in Lakewood, they do "Excellent" work.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I seen snap extenders in west marine. May help. Anybody have an idea on a spray shield on a center console with radar arch?

[kamikaze]

Bgreene:

Vic L is right sheet glass is best but its not cheap. In my opinion overpriced....

Overall the best option is to limit window size to what is needed and use sunbrella which is more forgiving as a boarder (wider the better) . I've had good luck with the this material ( .40 gauge) and 5 yards will cost less than one sheet of the good stuff. It is UV resistant and holds up well over time as long as you don't crease it. But that goes for the good stuff as well.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Textiles/Clear_Vinyl/Clear_Vinyl/index.html


They also sell a vinyl cleaner / polish keeps your enclosure protected and looking good a lot longer than just a quick rinse and wash but you have to keep up with it as it only lasts a month or two at a time. Application is easy enough so that's not a problem

[URL="http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Adhesives_and_Sprays/Cleaners_and_Conditioners/Strataglass_Cleaner_and_Polish/index.html"]http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Adhesives_and_Sprays/Cleaners_and_Conditioners/Strataglass_Cleaner_and_Polish/index.html[/U


Kamikaze

[kamikaze]

Bgreene:

Vic L is right sheet glass is best but its not cheap. In my opinion overpriced....

Overall the best option is to limit window size to what is needed and use sunbrella which is more forgiving as a boarder (wider the better) . I've had good luck with the this material ( .40 gauge) and 5 yards will cost less than one sheet of the good stuff. It is UV resistant and holds up well over time as long as you don't crease it. But that goes for the good stuff as well.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Textiles/Clear_Vinyl/Clear_Vinyl/index.html


They also sell a vinyl cleaner / polish keeps your enclosure protected and looking good a lot longer than just a quick rinse and wash but you have to keep up with it as it only lasts a month or two at a time. Application is easy enough so that's not a problem

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Adhesives_and_Sprays/Cleaners_and_Conditioners/Strataglass_Cleaner_and_Polish/index.html


Kamikaze

[bgreene]

Bgreene:

Vic L is right sheet glass is best but its not cheap. In my opinion overpriced....

Overall the best option is to limit window size to what is needed and use sunbrella which is more forgiving as a boarder (wider the better) . I've had good luck with the this material ( .40 gauge) and 5 yards will cost less than one sheet of the good stuff. It is UV resistant and holds up well over time as long as you don't crease it. But that goes for the good stuff as well.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Textiles/Clear_Vinyl/Clear_Vinyl/index.html


They also sell a vinyl cleaner / polish keeps your enclosure protected and looking good a lot longer than just a quick rinse and wash but you have to keep up with it as it only lasts a month or two at a time. Application is easy enough so that's not a problem

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Adhesives_and_Sprays/Cleaners_and_Conditioners/Strataglass_Cleaner_and_Polish/index.html


Kamikaze

Thanks, yeh, I used plain wax on my old set and it was fine.......

[Genie Aye]

I had my top made 4 years ago--No shrinkage


Sheet glass and Sunbrella---it cost---but sure was worth the dough.

[bgreene]

I had my top made 4 years ago--No shrinkage


Sheet glass and Sunbrella---it cost---but sure was worth the dough.

Thanks Genie Aye - appreciated, and from the other guys too.

[bgreene]

Going with the following:

1. Front and side curtains

2. Removable bow slider cover with rubber edging and snaps to keep out most cuddy water intrusion during a. waves over bow...... b. heavy rain / spray conditions.

Pics to follow when complete.......couple of weeks.

[Blue_Runner]

I can't wait to the the slider cover.....sounds cool.

[bgreene]

I can't wait to the the slider cover.....sounds cool.

We believe to have a design that should be durable, easy to handle, and effective.
Thanks for the interest - we'll see how it goes.