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Random Quote: confusion not only reigns, it pours.
Am seriously considering a used Luhrs 32 open. The ones that are in my price range are the ones pre 1999 that do not have windshields, they have plastic all the way from the hardtop to the boat. My question is, wouldn't this be an visability issue when a little spray get on it and you have no ability to wipe it off with a traditional windshield with wipers. I see all the newer models have windshields with wipers. I really like the boat, has everything I want in my price range but this one issue is nagging me. I don't want to get out in rough water, take on a little spray, now I can't see crap.
Not having a windshield in a 32 foot express boat sucks. If it's the right boat at the right price, I would look into seeing how much it would cost to have one fabricated. I know a few people who have done this with other boats.
In bad weather (rough and/or rain) would may need to run with the front glass (enclosure) open, which will allow the rain and spray thru and wet the helm area. We ran a Pursuit 3000 that had this issue. Nice boat, just wet in poor weather.
I fish a 28 topaz with strataglass enclosure and never have had a problem. the water just sheets off. I'm sure in heavy downpours, it may be difficult to see but you should be going slower anyways.
I bought a used 29 Luhrs this spring and it doesnt have real glass windows either. The first day I took it home I there was spray all over the eisenglass and I couldnt see a thing. Once I got home and polished it with some plexus it was fine. I havent had a problem since. Just make sure you keep on top of the polishing.
You can have the front two or three panels made from EZ2CY or heavy grade Stratoglass. You can treat it with Rain X or simular product and it will work just fine. In my opinion it gives better ventilation and visability.
Be careful with EZ2CY, my friend had it on his 50 viking and in really bad weather it shattered. No one was hurt but it was a close call. Since then he replaced everything with heavy grade stratoglass.
So you guys are saying that if you polish it with rain-x or plexus a salt water spray over that then dries is still clear enough to see through with no visability issues. I understand rain but I'm talking about salt spray that dries.
my bud's enclosure is about a year old, never polished it or anything and has never had a problem.
Make sure whatever material you use is compatible with rain-x or whatever you decide to use.
In 3+ seas, the topaz takes spray about every 10 seconds.
I have never been on an express boat that actually used the windshield wipers.
I had a Pusuit 3000 offshore with the factory plastic for six years and never had a visibility problem while taking spray over the side in rough weather. I now fish on a friends 52 Viking and like most of these 50' plus million doller sportfishing yachts most of them have plastic on the bridge for a windshield with no wipers ( never a problem).
Not sure where you are but in a warmer climate, the windshield on that boat makes it alot hotter on the deck, with the soft stuff, you can roll it up and get alot of ventilation through. If you were in the NE or a cooler climate, I would look for a windshield but would not turn down the right boat if it didn't have one. BTW, I like that hull alot and am going to be upgrading in the near future, it's down to the 32 Luhrs or the 34 Pursuit. Good luck.
Most clear vinyls are not tolerant of RainX. Rain X is usually used on glass, not plastic. I have seen some clear vinyl which has been clouded by Rain X.
I find in Florida, if you have a glass windshield, ventillation is much better with clear vinly above, which is left open during heavy weather or rain.
You guys are all wimps. I run my 31 Bertram flybridge with the canvas off all the time. In just the right seas I swear I get wetter up on the bridge than if I were to jump in the ocean.
Rain - X will ruin all eisenglass enclosurews over time. Some will fair better than others. There is not a 30 - 36' express that is dry. Someone ea;ier on this thread talked about windshield wipers. On the 32 Topaz that I fish on all year long, The wipers get a workout. I would bet that this is drier than a Luhrs.
Luhrs 32 Open (no windshield an issue?) 
I do care about visability though. 
