No matter what the builder says, if you spend enough time on the water, you're going to get some water up on your flybridge — that's why all boats come with some nice plastic curtains to keep the "mist" off the captain. These curtains play a huge role in your crew's safety when inclement weather kicks up and your captain needs to pilot your vessel through the storm. Any kind of scratches, cuts or leakage in your curtains can limit your captain's visibility and comfort, which can bring about disastrous results. Less dramatically, scratches just look nasty and can make your captain miss seeing a fish lazing on the surface.

To keep their curtains looking shiny and new for as long as possible, smart crews eliminate scratches by rolling up a chamois inside the curtain when they are open. The soft chamois provides a buffer against any sand or grit that may be clinging to the plastic.

Dave Ferrell
Orlando, Florida