After getting my hard top back on, I decided to see if the old curtains would still work. To my surprise, they still fit, but are a 6 out of 10 for wear. I honestly don't think they were ever used because the snaps don't line up with anything, but they were rolled up on the hardtop for most of their life.
So here is the question: were there different grades of material to use? I ask because at local GW gatherings, I've looked at newer boats with Stampid and clear panels. The stuff I have from 2005 looks like it could deflect bullets compared to the new stuff! That might seem like a good thing, but the curtains are so stiff and heavy that they are a PIA to use. My clear panels are at least 3x thicker than what I've seen on newer boats. I'm not sure if it swelled or if it was meant to be a more robust material. If I have these remade, I definitely don't want the same material even if I have to give up some durability. My old 248 Bimini curtain set was so much easier to store and use comparatively. What should I ask for to get the right balance of durability and ease of use?
So here is the question: were there different grades of material to use? I ask because at local GW gatherings, I've looked at newer boats with Stampid and clear panels. The stuff I have from 2005 looks like it could deflect bullets compared to the new stuff! That might seem like a good thing, but the curtains are so stiff and heavy that they are a PIA to use. My clear panels are at least 3x thicker than what I've seen on newer boats. I'm not sure if it swelled or if it was meant to be a more robust material. If I have these remade, I definitely don't want the same material even if I have to give up some durability. My old 248 Bimini curtain set was so much easier to store and use comparatively. What should I ask for to get the right balance of durability and ease of use?
