Thinking of getting Eisenglass

[rayrauch]

Does anyone have advice on whether or not to get the eisenglass enclosure? I have a 215 and didn't initially buy it but underestimated the effect the cold has when fishing with my Dad. Do they help any with the wind or is it more for spray? How long do they last? Given that they are in the sun all the time I'm concerned if I'll need to replace them every couple seasons due to UV yellowing. Any advice on others that have them would be great.

Thanks!

-Ray

[rudderhinge]

If you fish when the wind blows and its cold then I would say get them. I fish a lot in the winter and use them all the time. I leave my front enclosure on the boat most of the time. It keeps the wind and most of the spray off of me and makes running in the rain so much better. I roll up my side curtains on the days they aren,t needed and when I do need them all I have to do is let them down and I can stay dry in most all seas and wind. I relly like them on those cold mornings when it would be to cold to go out early if I diden't have them. Cold and wind is when they make all the differance.
How long will they last? They will last for 5 + years if they are taken care of properly. And they do take lots of care. Never clean them with windex or any other high pH cleaners. Use a little mild detergent and lots of fresh water to clean them. Only dry them with a soft clean cloth to avoid scratchs. Polish them with a clear plastic polish once in a while. This will keep things from sticking to them and keeps them from sticking together when you roll them up.
As for UV yellowing, that can be controled by using a UV protectant after cleaning them. I am using a product called 303 Aerospace Protectant after cleaning.
The trick with boat curtains with clear vinyl windows is the care for them the righr way or they will look like crap after 1 or 2 years. Sounds like a lot put I think they are worth the trouble. Good luck. Hope I have helped. Bob

[rayrauch]

Thanks Bob! This was just what I was looking for. Two other questions occured to me. Did you install them yourself and was it difficult? I'm convinced given your feedback to get them and I really appreciate the thorough response.

Thanks!!

-Ray

[HIGH&DRY]

Ray,
I would suggest to use Lemon Pledge inside and out after washing salt off with fresh water. I would polish with a micro fiber cloth from Sam's Club. They will last a long, long time!

HIGH&DRY

[rudderhinge]

Originally Posted by rayrauch

Thanks Bob! This was just what I was looking for. Two other questions occured to me. Did you install them yourself and was it difficult? I'm convinced given your feedback to get them and I really appreciate the thorough response.

Thanks!!

-Ray

I ordered my boat with them.
They would not be hard to install. A drill, bit, screw driver,60 min's and a six pack you can have it done and still have 3 beers left. The hard part will be figuring out where the zippered wrap-arounds go that go onto the tubes of the T top to hold the curtains up.
I don't know what kind of installation instructions come with the curtain / enclosure but if you need help I will take pictures of mine. Let me know if I can help. Bob

[blakinsmith]

Ray - I bought the factory curtains about a year after I got my boat. They aren't difficult to install - Dick M sent me a nice photo tutorial/work
instruction. Hardest part is drilling some of the rivet holes because
of clearance...Feel free to email me if you want to chat further about
it. I can also send you the instructions.

I like the curtains but don't use them too much. It is real narrow
around the chairs. Then again I don't fish often in the rain....

Barry "Bite Me"