Windshield washing

[jpwrist]

I use my Albin 28 in salt water and after a wave breaks over the bow (all the time) the forward windows end up with streaks of dried salt after I turn the wipers off and the windows dry. The only way I have found to fix this problem is to go forward and dump some fresh water on the windows and turn the windshields on. I am about to jury-rig a squeeze bottle with a long tube that deposits fresh water on the middle window. However, while probably functional, that doesn't appear like an elegant or "nautical" solution.

Has anyone come up with a better solution?

Jos

[JackK]

I saw this system mounted on a new Albin last year and have been meaning to add this to my to do list. Vetus makes this system. I'm not sure on pricing.



Jack
________________________
2003 28 TE Dogonit

[Veebyes2]

RAIN X

Windshield wipers don't belong on boats, especially boats in saltwater. Tore mine off my 27 in the first season.

Now, for something really low tech but effective when the Rain X starts to need re doing, use a good old gas station sponge/squeege & reach around or through the center opening window.

A container with water & a bit of dishwashing liquid kept nearby helps to do a nice job

Cheap, reliable, & does the whole window.

[Pitou]

Going into season four with the Albin and still wishing I had installed the Vetus screen washer posted above. Had ordered it when I bought the boat and it got back ordered to only arrive the day the boat was leaving the yard for the long trip to homeport. (Sure could have used it that day).

I have the Vetus '06 Price List / $ 214.50 for 2 windows and $ 45.00 for each additional window. You just tap into your existing fresh water supply or add a seperate tank for windshield wash.

[Capt Paul]

I agree wiith VEEBYES, Rain X is a simple solution. I use it and it works great. I still have my windshield wipers on the boat for those ruff days on the bay. Installing another mechnical/electrical system is just one more maintenance thing to deal with.

Paul

[Pitou]

I agree the RainX is a must, but it sure would be nice after a long run across a snotty bay or coming in from the fishing grounds offshore to hit a wash button after entering a river or harbor than sending someone out on the bow to spray the fresh water from a hose or bottle to clear the visibility.

Just one skips opinion.

[jpwrist]

Thanks to all for the prompt and helpful comments.

I went out and purchased my first two boxes of RainX today.

I'll try it out and if it doesn't work to my satisfaction, will consider the Vetus solution.

I'm heading from Galveston, TX to the Bahamas in the next week and will appreciate the clearer windshield.

Jos

[Tuxedo]

Not to hijack the thread, but also headed to the Bahamas at the end of next week from Charleston. Abacos, Berries, etc. Will post more in the cruising section.

Let's have an Albin rendezvous!

[Legacy]

Check out Treasure Cay when you make it to the Abacos. Great destination, great people, great fun.

[Mariner]

Our last boat (Camano 31) had this problem. It was never so bad that it hindered our ability to function, but it was certainly an annoyance. Upon buying the new boat, this was something we set out to deal with right at the get go. As it turned out, however, the flared bow and forward raked helm windows pretty much prevent spray from reaching the windows in all but the worst of weather.

Still, I had come up with a system that would work. Basically, my plan was to use the boat's pressurized fresh water system in conjunction with a remotely operated valve that would open when supplied with 12vdc. It was cheap, but hard to find (Grainger had it, but you need a commercial account to purchase). As for a nozzle, I was going to copy what I saw on the new Mainship 400, which is basically a piece of copper pipe with the end smashed in a vice to provide a wide spray. A short length of the pipe could be stuck through a small hole drilled above the windows in the pilothouse and then bent to aim back towards the window. Then, it was only a matter of plumbing it into the freshwater system.

I never did it because it proved unecessary, but I kind of had it all planned out.

Around here, if it's windy enough to throw spray over the bow, it's also raining enough to wash it off.

[Russell]

I bought some RainX to try too but I am just thankful to have real window glass and wipers. My last boat had no wipers and clear plastic from the windshield to the hard top. The fishing grounds are due East and heading out into the rising sun made it impossible to see through the big water drops. I had to stick my head out the side to see and get sprayed with ice cold water.
Now its sit back, turn on the wipers and enjoy the cabin heater.
Russ

[Tree]

Bringing this thread to life and after a pretty awkward run in at 3am last Saturday morning, I’m finally going to get round to fitting a screen wash system.

What have people fitted? Did you pull from the main tank? Did you install a remote tank?

I’ve previously looked at the AFI system since it doesn’t require jets as it clips to the wiper arms - I’m assuming I can do that to the marinco pantograph arms anyway or is the Vetus system straight forward to install?

Any comments welcome!

[elad9000]

We bought a simple windshield washer kit from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07HF ... UTF8&psc=1

[Tree]

I went with the vetus kit in the end - should be straight forward enough to install. The AFI Marinco kit only offered 2 washer nozzles and after a number of calls to Marinco as no one in the U.K. could confirm if a third jet was available or could be installed I gave up trying!

[ron82056]

I just put a washer system on mine. I tapped into the cold water under the helm and installed a solenoid in far left cubbie on the vanity. I ran the water feed above the bathroom headliner and drilled a hole through the vertical fiberglass near the bottom of the windshield. The hose is run in wire mold to each windshield. I just have a 90 degree fitting looking down running water over the glass. A button on the dash activates the system.