I have never used clear storm windows. Most of my friends who had them have removed them, and stowed them in case they need them at some time. We have never broken a window in over 200,000 miles of ocean voyaging--on the other hand, we we sailing along side a 43 footer, where a 6" port light broke when a normal sized sea hit it on the leeward side. Our motor sailors have had windows about as large in many trawlers, and they were closer to the water. We always carried 1/2" (I don't feel that 3/8" plywood is strong enough) under bunks which were precut for half of the windows (as noted can be reversed if necessary), predrilled, and strong backs (predrilled 2 x 4 lumber ) were also carried. The seas on the East Coast and gulf of Mexico of Panama are not worse than on the West coast. However, I strongly advise against being caught in a Norther in the Gulf of Mexico or even in the area in the Western Caribbean--they can come down as far South as Honduras. Bob Austin