what gauge plastic/vinyl for windows in dodger

[Halifax Sailor]

I am going to refit the windows in my flexible dodger. Have discovered many sources and gauges of clear vinyl? and many gauges. Seemslike 40 gauge and above are reccommended for windows in marine applications. Wondering if anyone has suggestions? Whats easiest to work with? cost effective? Will last reasonable time in northern climate?

[Maltair]

Did you ever get an answer? I have a couple cracks in mine I need to replace.

[Spindrift NH]

40 guage is a good thickness if you intend to roll pieces up. 60 guage is rollable but is harder to roll tightly.
Pressed polished sheets have better clarity and less shrinkage but if folded will kink and leave a distortion.
Extruded glass generally comes on a roll, not as good clarity, will shrink(best practice is to lay it out for a day before using it) if folded will not leave permanent distortions.
Pressed polished is more expensive.

[Halifax Sailor]

I have talked to a lot of ppl in my club and most shrug their shouldersand say whatever the guy put in. Sailrite has the most info that I have found and amazon seems to have a lot of material so it's a winter project, should be easy the way my dodger is made. just rip out the old ones, and easy to set in the new ones. May even get all crazy and put in zippers to open, it will prob be the most expensive thing on my boat!! except for the engine...........and the sails,,,,,,,and the rigging.............and the wife...............and the daughter....

[Spindrift NH]

I would caution you about ripping out the old then inserting the new after. While it may seem easy to do that, dodgers are generally much more complex to reglass. When newly constructed each panel of fabric with glass inserted was built flat on the table, when all panels were sewn together they took on a shape that makes it very difficult to isolate individual panels. When you pull out a piece of glass you’ll very likely never get the new piece in in the exact spot, that’ll create ripples in the glass and canvas when put back under tension on the boat. A better method for getting a proper fit with a reglass is to use 1/2” basting tape around the inside(tape goes on the canvas) of the glass you want to replace, stick the new glass over the old, sew the new piece on then cut the old glass out. Even that process is difficult with a dodger, at some point you’ll have to roll parts up and pass through the throat of the machine.

[davil]

Originally Posted by Halifax Sailor

I am going to refit the windows in my flexible dodger. Have discovered many sources and gauges of clear vinyl? and many gauges. Seemslike 40 gauge and above are reccommended for windows in marine applications. Wondering if anyone has suggestions? Whats easiest to work with? cost effective? Will last reasonable time in northern climate?

==========================================

I use this from Sailrite

Plastipane 20 Gauge 54” Vinyl Window Material

[Smokeys Kitchen]

The standard for Iverson Dodgers is 40 mil Strataglass with an option for 60 mil Makrolon.

I had the side windows replaced in my enclosure, and the canvass shop (Fairway Canvass in Kingston, WA) did a great job. In order to retain the shape as Spindrift notes above, they leave a 1/2 " edge of the old window where it is sewn to the fabric all the way around the cutout. They then just sew the new window through the old edge and fabric at the same time.

YMMV

[Maltair]

Fantastic info guys.

You know how when your talking about something and later on an add for that something comes up?
Well I was out garage sailing and this gentleman GAVE me a 220' ft roll of clear vinyl! He even said please take it! I need to look up the part number and see just what I have but man that was a great find!

[tamicatana]

Strataglass, but I like Makrolon better

[Halifax Sailor]

Originally Posted by Maltair

Fantastic info guys.

You know how when your talking about something and later on an add for that something comes up?
Well I was out garage sailing and this gentleman GAVE me a 220' ft roll of clear vinyl! He even said please take it! I need to look up the part number and see just what I have but man that was a great find!

When you figure it out, let me know. I could buy some from you depending on where you are and shipping. Unless you have 220' of windows in your dodger..........................................