This section discusses enclosures (including Polycarbonate), screens, panels, windshields and more. Every boat needs a transparent enclosure but there are different options for the boat owner, such as Strataglass, acrylic or polycarbonate.
What exactly are the differences?
Strataglass: Introduced in 1994, Strataglass™ is a premium, flexible coated vinyl sheet engineered to resist the damaging effects from the sun’s rays, environmental fallout, and scratching from handling. It also blocks out 100% of the spectrum of UV light. Here at American-Marine Canvas & Upholstery, we use 40 gauge Strataglass, which is very durable, strong, and flexible (it can be rolled up easily). Please see the photo below of a 32 foot Sea Ray Sundancer with a strataglass enclosure with panels that will roll up easily and Seamark sunbrella.
Acrylic (Plexiglass): Acrylic has a seven year warranty, is more flexible than polycarbonate, is very hard (but not impossible) to break. It is affordable and is a good option for the boat owner. It cannot be rolled up.
Polycarbonate: The most expensive of the screens and panels, with a five year warranty, Polycarbonate is worth every penny. It is extremely tough and virtually unbreakable, and is often considered as the best, strongest, shatterproof “glass” application. While it is very tough, it also scratches fairly easily and common cleaners can ruin the surface (it must be handled with care). It also cannot be rolled up as it has very much a “glass” feel to it. See the photo below of a 55 foot Sea Ray with a polycarbonate enclosure. The clarity of the glass is amazing – at some angles it is impossible to see that there is actually glass in there – it looks completely open, so great is the clarity and thus amazing visibility.
What are the main advantages of using polycarbonate on my boat, either as an enclosure or a dodger?
It offers superior impact strength – over 250 times that of glass (and so is virtually unbreakable) – while appearing so clear that sometimes it’s hard to see that it’s actually in place! It is UV stable, so can be used externally (clear polycarbonate only). Light transmission of clear sheet is 87% giving better clarity than glass, and is comparable to Strataglass although much more durable, longer lasting (and of course, more expensive).
We have posted some photos below of enclosures and panels, some polycarbonate, some strataglass.
