Any new ideas to keep eisenglas from burning on the Bimini rails?

[waybomb]

On my third set of eisenglass in the sunbrella in 14 years. I can't seem to get past the metal burns.
I've used the small plastic standoffs.
I've used armaflex plumbing insulation.
I've used pool noodles
I've seen advertisements on sunsox, but that seems to be the same thing as a pool noodle.

Anybody have a better solution?

[bud37]

Ain't nothin new but I have never found plastic windows to last very long no matter what, that is why we always used the thinner clear for years. That said the last boat we wanted the light tint so went with the next thickness up and had the canvas guy make light tan sunbrella boots that fit/snap around the bimini support bars. It seemed to work ok. The other thing is...... keep it as clean and as dry as possible to stop the sun burn or at least slow it down and leave some openings to vent the top while away , it keeps the temp down.

Perhaps the plastic in those standoffs and noodles reacts with the window plastic....off gassing.

[waybomb]

So a simple cover made from sunbrella helps? Just talked it over with my wife. We'll try it. We still have s bunch of sunbrella left.
We do keep it clean. We use Plexus after cleaning with water

[bud37]

QR_BBPOST So a simple cover made from sunbrella helps?

For as long as we had the last boat it was fine and at that time the canvas guy always used and recommended the IMAR cleaner protector stuff, we used that as well. You could use velcro instead of the snaps that would heat up.

Quite honestly though I think if ya keep after it ya can get some more time out of it, but how much would depend on the sun exposure etc etc , IMHO.....good luck man.

[Viper]

Ya I've seen a lot of boats using Sunbrella and Velcro to cover the rails. Sunbrella isn't exactly the softest material though so I don't know how the vinyl will hold up against it. Having said that, I don't recall ever seeing ill effects from using Sunbrella this way.

[Merkinbrumsky]

I have a very large and elaborate canvas setup on my rig. All of the support poles that touch the plastic are wrapped in sunbrella with some thin padding sewn in and attached with Velcro. Not sure how old the canvas is but I would bet at least 15 years old of which I have had it for the last 5. I’ve had lots of zippers replaced and allot of restitching done but I’ve yet to touch any of the plastic around the poles. Knock on wood. FWIW the boat has all black canvas and has been kept in an uncovered slip on Georgian Bay for at least the last 8 years. I clean the canvas thoroughly with soap and water every fall and apply waterproofing every spring.

[waybomb]

I'll post some pix when she gets them done.

[kgarguilo]

QR_BBPOST So a simple cover made from sunbrella helps? Just talked it over with my wife. We'll try it. We still have s bunch of sunbrella left.
We do keep it clean. We use Plexus after cleaning with water

I see Plexus is off the market mow? Anyone else see this? I just tried to buy some, and it is nowhere.
What a shame, hope I am missing something, but my canvas person just told me the same thing.

[waybomb]

Plexus is back in production. I spoke with them a couple weeks ago. They say production started Monday. Maybe a bit before they get to consumers. If you buy a case of it they will sell direct.

[kgarguilo]

Thanks! I will reach out as I buy a case and it lasts for over a year each time.