On a long run in the dark, I began to hate my boat’s clear-vinyl helm enclosure. Oh sure, it was protecting us from wind and spray, but seeing through it was fretfully difficult. I finally rolled up the forward curtain, and despite the chill, felt reassured by the improved visibility.Today, clear vinyl is just one of three popular choices for see-through enclosures. Let’s look at the pluses and minuses of each.Clear VinylAlso known as isinglass, clear vinyl is the most common enclosure material. While thickness varies (from 0.020 to 0.060 gauge), it is also the least expensive. Labor costs for a clear vinyl enclosure are usually less as well.There are two types of clear vinyl — coated, such as Strataglass (www.strataglass.com), and uncoated, such as Crystal Clear 20/20, from the same company. The coated ...![Sport Fishing Mag]()
