> From: "ronald barr" <rwhb@email.msn.com> > Subject: TWL: Fly Bridge Enclosures & canvas > > > > Has anyone good thoughts on design features to look for in enclosure > > curtains? All input appreciated decisions have > > to be made in a few days -- thanks. I know this doesn't directly address your choice of fabrics or mil of isinglass, but I am strongly considering replacing my entire bimini with a hardtop also. However, instead of isinglass all round the sides and stern (my current side and stern curtains have "frowns" - the only way to go, IMHO), I am seriously considering sliding glass windows with screens. Stronger, more durable, easier to clean, waterproof, etc. and probably just about the same amount of breeze. I live aboard, so anything that makes maintenance easier or faster is good in my books! Just a thought. John Garrison "Just Keel-ing Time" Lake Norman, NC

The glass is too scary for me. Has anyone had experience with EZ2CY? They have a website at http://www.ez2cy.com This is a high end Acrylic product that is too rigid to be rolled up but almost as clear as glass. You open it by unzipping it and securing it to the underside of the hardtop. They do not recommend using it on a Bimini. Several boats on my dock have used this product and all seem very happy. The big downside is the cost. Over $1000 for 3 front curtains only. Frank Burrows 1979 43' Viking MY Piney Narrows Marina Chesapeake Bay At 05:59 PM 8/31/2001 -0400, you wrote: > > > From: "ronald barr" <rwhb@email.msn.com> > > Subject: TWL: Fly Bridge Enclosures & canvas > > > > > > > Has anyone good thoughts on design features to look for in enclosure > > > curtains? All input appreciated decisions have > > > to be made in a few days -- thanks. > >I know this doesn't directly address your choice of fabrics or mil of >isinglass, but I am strongly considering replacing my entire bimini with a >hardtop also. However, instead of isinglass all round the sides and stern >(my current side and stern curtains have "frowns" - the only way to go, >IMHO), I am seriously considering sliding glass windows with screens. >Stronger, more durable, easier to clean, waterproof, etc. and probably just >about the same amount of breeze. I live aboard, so anything that makes >maintenance easier or faster is good in my books! > >Just a thought. > >John Garrison >"Just Keel-ing Time" >Lake Norman, NC

I managed to get a copy of "Sailing the Farm" by Ken Neumeyer, and he has some interesting ideas. He also has some pretty wacky ones, like never cooking your food and eating sprouts by the metric ton, but that's not what I meant to mention here. He has remote paging alarms set for intrusion, bilge flooding, fire, gas vapor and anchor dragging. This would be quite the nice away to be able to leave the boat anchored, and go out to play with a clear conscience. Anything goes wrong, and the boat calls for help! The book was written in '81, so that the tech is there- I just can't find it. He mentions a store in Jensen Beach, FL (Voyager's Industries) that seems to have gone out of business. Any ideas or help would be appreciated! ___________________________ Doug Barnard rebuilding a 20' Skipjack "Fiesta Bimbo" trawler-crawler wannabe