Windshield Washer on R-29

[JimH]

I am considering buying an R29 and took a sea trial last week. The seas were moderate and the winds were about 10 mph. We kept getting salt water sea spray on the windshields. The small wiper only smeared the sea spray and left streaks on the windshield. Going back to the dock we were going into the sun and it was impossible to see out the window. The boat was not equiped with a windshield washer.

Is this a common problem on the R29? Have owners installed their own windshield washers? How much do they cost and do they work well?

Thanks very much.

 

[walldog]

I am considering buying an R29 and took a sea trial last week. The seas were moderate and the winds were about 10 mph. We kept getting salt water sea spray on the windshields. The small wiper only smeared the sea spray and left streaks on the windshield. Going back to the dock we were going into the sun and it was impossible to see out the window. The boat was not equiped with a windshield washer.

Is this a common problem on the R29? Have owners installed their own windshield washers? How much do they cost and do they work well?

Thanks very much.

RainX........I never use my wipers. Works great.

 

[Stella Maris]

Herb is correct. We have used Rain X on our cars and boats for years. Not sure why those wipers are there..... We use it on all of the windows for ease of cleaning.

 

[Nellie Too]

Sea Glaze, the window manufacturer told me the only product they recommend is Kleentec, a Canadian product. You might try google to find them.
Bob

 

[Ken Boyd]

I have the same problem with salt spray on the windows of my R-25 when the wind kicks up above 10 knots. As long as the spray stays wet you are ok but once it dries you cannot see a thing as the sun gets lower on the horizon. Same problem with the side windows but no wipers to smear the salt spray around. Rain X helps a lot and I recommend it to anyone who has not tried it. You can purchase it at any autoparts store or WalMart. A windshield washer system that works off the pressurized fresh water system would be a nice addition to the boat. You could rinse the salt spray off the outside of the windows with fresh water when it starts to dry without having to go forward when the wind is kicking up and wash the windows by hand.

 

[Lobo]

Another vote for Rain-X. I've done close to 4,000 miles on the boat since I started using Rain-X and I never use the wipers -- which are all corroded in the springs anyway. If the salt dries on the windows, open the forward side window and toss a cup of fresh water on the salty window. Problem solved. I'm 100% in salt water and reapply it about every 3 months.

Get the small bottles of Rain-X, don't use the spray bottle that they put out that is combined with window cleaner.


Dave
"Lobo"

 

[bbrh842]

Here is another vote for Rain-X
Ditto to Lobo's comment, use the pure Rain-X in the bright yellow bottle.
Do not use the kind that is mixed with window cleaner.

 

[Spirit of Gratitude]

Sea Glaze, the window manufacturer told me the only product they recommend is Kleentec, a Canadian product. You might try google to find them.
Bob

This is the product that I use. I have applied it once over a year ago and it is still going strong. It is what the big ships use. They can't be out their applying it every month or so, they need something that will last! The rain-x works great if you keep applying it. It will also yellow your windows over a period of time. (years of use)

I personally will only use the best! 😉

 

[JamesTXSD]

We use Rain-X on our boat, but still use the wipers - try to get the window wiped before the salt spray dries. We tried throwing a cup of fresh water on the windows, but that was less than satisfactory. My wife keeps a squeeze bottle of vinegar/water mix that we can just reach out and squeeze onto the front windows as needed. A quick sweep of the wipers, and we can see again. The vinegar water does a better job of cutting through the salt spray than just plain water. Not sure if any of the Rangers have sliding side windows like our C-Dory, but the vinegar water does a good job of cleaning out the sticky track, too; followed by an application of Liquid Rollers to keep the fuzzy stuff in the track from sticking.

Regarding the Rain-X, we use the yellow bottle on the outside of the windows, and their anti-fog stuff on the inside of the windows.

Best wishes,
Jim B.

 

[Salish Rover]

Just ordered the Kleentec---I'll update after I use it. Comes highly recommended.

 

[GulfSailor]

Sea Glaze, the window manufacturer told me the only product they recommend is Kleentec, a Canadian product. You might try google to find them.
Bob

This is the product that I use. I have applied it once over a year ago and it is still going strong. It is what the big ships use. They can't be out their applying it every month or so, they need something that will last!

It's pricey, but it does come across as a commercial grade of product.
I'm tempted to try the small ($85) kit: http://www.kleentecmarine.com/On_Line_Glass_Order_Form.pdf

However, although you've had good results with one application for just over a year, the instructions do say to re-apply every 28 days: http://www.kleentecmarine.com/instruction_Manual.pdf