Windshield wiper performance

[Dear Prudence 2.0]

We had a Freedom 235 and now have Freedom 255. On both boats the wiper did a very poor job of clearing the windshield. Has anyone modified/changed the wiper to perform better?
Thanks
Brian

 

[seasick]

Were the wipers newish?
Do you use any coatings on the glass?
Finally, if you boat in salt water, do you rinse the windshield after every outing?

 

[Dear Prudence 2.0]

It is a 2022 boat, new in July. I have not used any coatings on the glass. The boat is in salt water. I clean if there is spray when I return to port.
Thanks

 

[seasick]

hmmmm. that eliminates all my ideas

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I've got a 228 Seafarer, so not the same boat as yours or anything, but I like to keep a window squeegee, bottle of windex and a roll of paper towels on the boat for this very reason. On my boat, there's only one windshield wiper on the drivers side and then nothing on the passenger side. In the mornings when I go out fishing and there's a lot of condensation on the windshield and fog, then the squeegee works great to clear them off and if there's bird crap or anything else on there then the windex works well. The issue with the wiper blades imo, is that if the boat stays outside year round or even for months on end then the rubber on the wiper blades will crack and bend. Which won't get all of the rain or water off of the windshield. You can try some of the spray on products out there as well, I know Rain-X has a product that I've used on my cars where you spray it on the windshield and the water/rain run off without needing to use the wipers while driving. It's nice, but you have to apply it every couple weeks or so and I'm not sure how that would work with birds crapping on the boat and so forth.

 

[DennisG01]

Is it held tightly to the window? If it is, then replace the wiper blade - being new doesn't mean it didn't sit on a shelf for a long time. If it's not tight to the windshield, take a close look at how it's attached to the motor arm

 

[Dear Prudence 2.0]

I've got a 228 Seafarer, so not the same boat as yours or anything, but I like to keep a window squeegee, bottle of windex and a roll of paper towels on the boat for this very reason. On my boat, there's only one windshield wiper on the drivers side and then nothing on the passenger side. In the mornings when I go out fishing and there's a lot of condensation on the windshield and fog, then the squeegee works great to clear them off and if there's bird crap or anything else on there then the windex works well. The issue with the wiper blades imo, is that if the boat stays outside year round or even for months on end then the rubber on the wiper blades will crack and bend. Which won't get all of the rain or water off of the windshield. You can try some of the spray on products out there as well, I know Rain-X has a product that I've used on my cars where you spray it on the windshield and the water/rain run off without needing to use the wipers while driving. It's nice, but you have to apply it every couple weeks or so and I'm not sure how that would work with birds crapping on the boat and so forth.

I do keep a squeegee on the boat. When at the dock, i use zero water (0 TDS) that use at home to was windows. Works excellent. However, if we are out and and a wave/wake comes over the bow, I don't have time to get the squeegee, etc. I'd like the wiper to do its job.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Dear Prudence 2.0]

Is it held tightly to the window? If it is, then replace the wiper blade - being new doesn't mean it didn't sit on a shelf for a long time. If it's not tight to the windshield, take a close look at how it's attached to the motor arm

I hadn't though about the rubber being old even if the boat id new. I'll try a new, high quality blade to see f it makes a difference. Thanks

 

[Doc Stressor]

You can rejuvenate an old brittle wiper blade with #400 wet/dry sandpaper. Then clean it with soapy water to wash away the grit.

 

[RobboNJ]

I bought replacement blades for my 2008 282 Sailfish earlier this summer from West Marine. These are the complete arm, not just the rubber blade. They worked well for about a month. But now the driver's side blade gaps in the middle and does not clear the spray off the entire windshield. This is the same thing my old wiper blades did! I'm still looking for a better blade/arm.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I think just about anything that you try is going to work decently for a month, maybe more, depending on your location, your usage and so forth... but after that the rubber is going to become brittle and crack, especially if it sits all winter like that. I'd maybe buy a pair of blades before each season and then buy a second set midway through? After a few bird turds hit the windshield and you go over them with the wipers, it's going to start going downhill rather quickly after that.

 

[ROBERTH]

I have found the Marineco silicone premium wiper arm/blade lasts the longest. I get about 2 years out of them. However, I slide on a foam insulator over the wiper blade/arm when not in use. It does a couple of things. Protects the blade from the sun and helps keep the blade from resting on the windshield forming the bend.
I get the pipe insulation from Lowes or Home Depot that has the slot(Not glue type) in the plumbing section.
Easy and quick to use.
I am still trying to find a way to cross reference replacement blades, but no success so far. Does not make sense to have to replace the entire SS wiper arm just due the blade is ready for replacement. Marineco will not confess the brand or size.
The part number I use is 34020S.