Visibility in the sun!

[Tommytwoshoes]

Hi to all..Being perfectly honest I am looking for some information from the boating community and appreciate any help or advice that you can give me.

I have been asked to find out what sort of difficulties are presented by glare from the sun whilst sailing. I assume that high end pleasure craft have tinted windows but what about older craft? Is it actually a problem at all? If so, what can you do about it?

Any feedback is most appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[gcboat]

Re: Visibility in the sun!

A good pair of polarized sunglasses are a MUST HAVE !!!! You don't need to spend a fortune with all of the big brand name one's but do expect to drop
$100.00 or so for a decent pair. I've had a pair of Bolle's for almost three years now - pretty decent equipment.

 

[Tommytwoshoes]

Re: Visibility in the sun!

Cheers gcboat...I guess for pleasure craft then the idea of installing protective blinds agianst the windows is unlikely? If you would be so kind as to indulge me a little further:

What about heat, is that a problem?
And fading of materials/fabrics etc inside the boat due to the sun?

As I said in my earlier post, I have been asked by my boss to get a better understanding of any problems that may exist and so I have 2 options:

Buy a boat and find out for myself <puts hands in empty pockets and sighs>
OR ask the members on a well informed web-site!

Thanks to you and any others reading this that may be able to offer some further help.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Visibility in the sun!

Anything out in the sun suffers UV exposure/damage. As already said, one fix/must is a good pair of polarized sun glasses. You can also have panes tinted to cut down on glare and UV exposure, but it should not impair your visibility for safety reasons. Most boat equipment is designed to stand up to some UV exposure, but how much/how well depends on what the operator wants to spend...it can get as spendy as you like. Your boss needs to do some foot research at a marina frequented by boat owners...not sure I fully understand the extent of your questions.

 

[Tommytwoshoes]

Re: Visibility in the sun!

Anything out in the sun suffers UV exposure/damage. As already said, one fix/must is a good pair of polarized sun glasses. You can also have panes tinted to cut down on glare and UV exposure, but it should not impair your visibility for safety reasons. Most boat equipment is designed to stand up to some UV exposure, but how much/how well depends on what the operator wants to spend...it can get as spendy as you like. Your boss needs to do some foot research at a marina frequented by boat owners...not sure I fully understand the extent of your questions.

Apologies for my being vague. We currently put UV protective blinds against windows in properties (offices and residential). We also know that on large ships, such blinds are often fitted on the bridge windows. So, my boss had the thought that their may be a demand on boats. For my sins, I mentioned that I had some friends that owned boats and hey...I'm the man! The friends I have own new boats and there are sunscreen filters fitted into the glass. So I guess this is standard but wondered if older craft were not?
Outside of pleasure boats, I also wondered about tugs but I'm thinking I'll need to look elsewhere for some feedback on those.

Hope the above has gone some way to clarifying my questions?