Alternative options to clears on a 5.2 KC ?

[Chris20984]

Hey guys, i am looking for some ideas on the best way to keep dry on the rare but annoying occasions that i get sprayed whilst cruising in my 5.2 KC.

The boat originally had clears on it but i hated them, because you get a crappy little window to look out of, the zips always stick, they leak, and they deteriorate.

The time has come to replace the Bimini also so before i spend a quoted 2 grand on quality clears and a new Bimini i would love to hear/ see any other options out there.
pics please.

Yes there is the full wind screen/ hard top option which i could build myself to save some costs, I am keen to hear from others that have this setup for some pros/cons. eg extra weight etc.

Cheers Chris.

[GBC]

Goggles and a raincoat? You haven't trolled in a 5.2 kevlacat until you ship 200+ litres over the bow every freaking wave for 8 hours.... If they weren't made self draining there'd be none left by now.
They're a little boat and with two clowns sitting in the front seats they're nose heavy enough. I can't think of anything lighter or better than clears.

[Chris20984]

Well that was some really helpful info, Thanks.

[spelchek]

would like to hear/see what you come up with, Chris. I'm looking at getting a bimini/sides made up for my SC. You were quoted $2k, eh? I haven't even gotten around to getting a quote so that's interesting info for a start. Have you had a look at the Kingfisher top? I like the design and am considering one - haven;t looked into getting clears made up for the side of a Kingfisher tho.

edit -> oops - totally misread thread title - somehow had it in my head you were talking about a 5.2 SC (side console). Sorry - I'll go back to sleep on the couch now.

[OPTI]

ive got a bimini and clears on my rig ,ive just got it 100%water proof after a bit of fine tuning.
things ive learnt ,im using strata glass and its exellent ,use a sail track on the top ,its the only water proof way to attatch the clears to the frame.
im running a extra piece of strata glass over the front of the zip faces to stop water pushing through the zip.i use a wave breaker on the top of the screen and attach the clears with press studs and velcro to the wave breaker,this stops the water coming up the window and under the clears.im using sunbrella plus on the roof.
the only thing that would beat this set up is a hard top and full length widscreens ,which wouldnt be easy to do on a 5.2 kevla cat

[The Woo]

I agree, good quality clears are still the best option for that boat. You need someone to make them that knows what they're doing, ie, use sail track to hang them from, and protect the zips from wind-driven water with additional material.
Strata Glass is mega-dollars, but is lovely stuff. Cheaper clears will still give many years of service if cleaned properly and stored out of the sun.

In my opinion, anything other than clears has great potential to ruin the look of the boat, and a permanent structure will both add weight, and you'll lose the ability to open it up on good hot days.

[outwide1]

I got my clears done in strata,new targa top and slide out targa using sail track all done for $1900.I'm with opti on this one,i too had vinyl placed around the zips and mine is water proof 100%.
Its finally good to have it the way it is.Brenden at Yatala did mine and could highly reccomend him.
Due to the fibreglass taga on those K.C its hard to increase the distance between the windscreen at the front.
Mick

[Smithy]

Mick, what you can do to the targa on the 5.2KCs is what Morgy did to Shikaree before Finding Time Ian ended up with it. He had a 6" SS box section extension put in so it could still fold but got the bimini up higher.

[Maccas]

I have a KC 5.2 with a hardtop and I wouldn't go back to clears even though the ones I had in my Sharkcat were pretty good. The targa height means that people over 6ft have to duck slightly once under the hardtop it is fine as it slopes up to the windscreen.

[Chris20984]

Hi Maccas,

Was the hard top on the cat when you bought it?

I would really appreciate some more photos if you could take some.

Any negatives with the full windscreen other than not getting a nice breeze.

I wonder how much it affects fuel economy and handling ?

Cheers Chris.

[Smithy]

The misting on your back would have to be shocking on the 5.2KC with the hard top. They are terrible enough with clears. That said, after two hard top boats I would never go back if I could avoid it to bimini and clear setups but I have not had misting problems with either on monos. Maybe little vents to stop the negative air pressure within the cab could alleviate it. We had one of these guys on the Signature. It worked fine. https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_i...AbsolutePage=1

[Chris20984]

I totally forgot about the misting issue !

Thats a good idea to use vents to remove the vacuum of the cabin.

[outwide1]

The misting on your back would have to be shocking on the 5.2KC with the hard top. They are terrible enough with clears. That said, after two hard top boats I would never go back if I could avoid it to bimini and clear setups but I have not had misting problems with either on monos. Maybe little vents to stop the negative air pressure within the cab could alleviate it. We had one of these guys on the Signature. It worked fine. https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_i...AbsolutePage=1

Hey Rob,Waynes boat was shocking.I have never be so wet in a boat until i had been in Kittykat.The misting was a real problem and certainly not enjoyable compared to Outwide.Good idea that regarding the boxing on Ians boat.He is selling that last time i spoke to him.

[Maccas]

Chris,

The hardtop was on it when I bought it. It has a hatch in the roof to help with ventilation. The misting is really no worse than my sharkcat with clears. Most cats have a bit of mist in certain conditions. The hardtop has glass windscreen with perspex side fixed windows (sliders would be better for ventilation but more complex to stop leaks). I added stainless steel external bracing with rails on the top to make it easy to go forward. It would be a bit heavier than bimini and clears but not that much. Impact on fuel economy on the water is not really noticeable but I am comparing the KC to my sharkcat (see pic). The KC is a little heavier and bigger with twin 70 Yammies and the sharkcat had twin 60 Jonnos. I will look to see if I have some pics of the hardtop for you.

Cheers,

Maccas