Feedback on Wind Deflectors

[shunter2005]

I would like to get a little feedback from the brain trust here at RDP. I have seen here and other sites, people asking about Windaway clamp on style wind deflectors for your boats. The company closed down a couple of years ago, but an opportunity has presented itself and Windaway wind deflectors might once again become available for purchase.

I would like to know if there would be any interest from the members to obtain a set of these deflectors, if available, to assist me in making a decision to move forward with this possible project. If enough interest is there, I will continue with the research into this. It might take a couple of months to get the research done and make a decision whether to proceed or not.

Below are a few pics of the deflectors. Windaway deflectors were manufactured in the standard rectangle version (pics from an RDP member boat). When I made my current set, I had the acrylic cut with an arched top (pic with protective paper on them). Unfortunately, I don?t know how well the arched top screens work because I sold my old boat before I even got to try them out. If they work (after some testing and tweaking) there could be two styles of screens available. The deflectors will mount on standard upright style windshields or the low profile windshields and mount on windshield frames up to 1" or your acrylic windshield itself if frameless.

Any feedback you could provide would be helpful.

 

[robby dmax]

Check out finneys Powder Coating in Lake Havasu.. they still make the wind deflectors.

 

[shunter2005]

Check out finneys Powder Coating in Lake Havasu.. they still make the wind deflectors.

Yes, they do and they are nice. If I had hand rails already mounted I would probably have a set of them. I don't want to drill and mount handrails just for this, so I like the clamp on style.

 

[Dettom]

I've got wind deflectors on my 27' Victory. They're mounted on the rail in front and Advantage put them on most all their boats. I like them. My only beef is they are tinted and I have a hard time seeing through them, safely. So if I'm running at any appreciable speed, I put them in the down position. They work surprisingly well and have a little bend in them at the top that probably helps deflect air too.
If I could find a set that were clear, I might consider going with those.

 

[Ultra247]

Hey Shunter,

I have wind deflectors on my Ultra that I purchased from Finneys in Havasu. The deflectors work great but the mounting brackets were plastic and weren't good at all. I ended up making my own mounting brackets. The nice thing about the finney's kit was that it included the rail that gets mounted on the top of the dash as well as the deflectors are available with a bent edge.

If you are going to go with the windaway brand, look at offering upgraded mounting hardware. you will be competing with Finneys and Ron Earl (placentia). I'm not sure that the volume or the margins are there to make it worth it. if I was going to do it, I would offer an upgraded mounting system. I'd be happy to show you what I did if you are interested.

 

[ToMorrow44]

I've got wind deflectors on my 27' Victory. They're mounted on the rail in front and Advantage put them on most all their boats. I like them. My only beef is they are tinted and I have a hard time seeing through them, safely. So if I'm running at any appreciable speed, I put them in the down position. They work surprisingly well and have a little bend in them at the top that probably helps deflect air too.
If I could find a set that were clear, I might consider going with those.

I've got a clear set on mine and they're great. I got them from Advantage, give them a call I'm sure they can get them for you.

For the OP, I never really liked the idea of the wind aways that clamped to the existing plexiglass windscreen. Always thought the stress from the longer wind screen would break the original plexiglass, but maybe that's just me.

 

[shunter2005]

Hey Shunter,

I have wind deflectors on my Ultra that I purchased from Finneys in Havasu. The deflectors work great but the mounting brackets were plastic and weren't good at all. I ended up making my own mounting brackets. The nice thing about the finney's kit was that it included the rail that gets mounted on the top of the dash as well as the deflectors are available with a bent edge.

If you are going to go with the windaway brand, look at offering upgraded mounting hardware. you will be competing with Finneys and Ron Earl (placentia). I'm not sure that the volume or the margins are there to make it worth it. if I was going to do it, I would offer an upgraded mounting system. I'd be happy to show you what I did if you are interested.

When I was out there in February, I visited Finney?s and looked at their deflectors. At that time, I was looking to purchase a set from them. I did like the thicker acrylic with the little upturn that they use. However, I did not like the rail mounts. The reason I prefer the clamp style is because I don?t want to drill any more holes in the cockpit/windshield area. I want something that is easy on and easy off. Two turns of the knobs and it slides right off.

The Finney?s look great on your boat. However, if I have to drill and mount a rail above my dash and gauges, I think it will make it look too crowded. JMO.. I would definitely be interested in looking at your mounting brackets.

I was just thinking about guys like me who don?t really want to drill more holes and attach another handrail in the cockpit area. The clamp on style brackets are the only way that I personally, would want to go.

Who or what is Ron Earl? I googled the name and came up with nada. Have never heard of the name before, but I live in Texas.

I've got a clear set on mine and they're great. I got them from Advantage, give them a call I'm sure they can get them for you.

For the OP, I never really liked the idea of the wind aways that clamped to the existing plexiglass windscreen. Always thought the stress from the longer wind screen would break the original plexiglass, but maybe that's just me.

My old Checkmate had a framed windshield, so it really wasn't a problem. The Hallett with the frameless acrylic windshield, like yours gave me some concern, as I thought there was no way to attach them without a frame. I almost let them go with the old boat. After talking to another member here who has a couple of sets for his Hallett, I feel much better about clamping onto the acrylic itself. He says that he uses them often and at speed and has had no problems at all. I went back and read the info about the Windaways again and it states that they can be used with frame or directly onto the windshield. Just to be sure, I have made a note of the possible issue and will discuss it with the old owner. Thanks

 

[rivrrts429]

When I was out there in February, I visited Finney?s and looked at their deflectors. At that time, I was looking to purchase a set from them. I did like the thicker acrylic with the little upturn that they use. However, I did not like the rail mounts. The reason I prefer the clamp style is because I don?t want to drill any more holes in the cockpit/windshield area. I want something that is easy on and easy off. Two turns of the knobs and it slides right off.

The Finney?s look great on your boat. However, if I have to drill and mount a rail above my dash and gauges, I think it will make it look too crowded. JMO.. I would definitely be interested in looking at your mounting brackets.

I was just thinking about guys like me who don?t really want to drill more holes and attach another handrail in the cockpit area. The clamp on style brackets are the only way that I personally, would want to go.

Who or what is Ron Earl? I googled the name and came up with nada. Have never heard of the name before, but I live in Texas.



My old Checkmate had a framed windshield, so it really wasn't a problem. The Hallett with the frameless acrylic windshield, like yours gave me some concern, as I thought there was no way to attach them without a frame. I almost let them go with the old boat. After talking to another member here who has a couple of sets for his Hallett, I feel much better about clamping onto the acrylic itself. He says that he uses them often and at speed and has had no problems at all. I went back and read the info about the Windaways again and it states that they can be used with frame or directly onto the windshield. Just to be sure, I have made a note of the possible issue and will discuss it with the old owner. Thanks

It's not Ron Earl, it's called Wayne Earl...

http://www.wayneearl.com