Cleaning
As with any quality product, cleaning your EZ2CY® Enclosure is a vital part of keeping it in good working condition, season after season. Look here to find out how to care for your enclosure, including regular maintenance, product recommendations (and warnings), zipper care, and polishing and scratch removal. You can access this section of the site directly by clicking on Cleaning on the navigation menu above.

Components
EZ2CY® Enclosures are able to meet and exceed customer expectations on such a consistent basis because they are made from quality components. Each component of an EZ2CY® Enclosure contributes to the effectiveness of the system as a whole. You can access this section of the site directly by clicking on Components on the navigation menu above.

Opening
EZ2CY® originated and perfected track-to-track installations, and is still unrivaled in this respect. An enclosure's main function is to provide protection from foul weather, wind, and water, while maintaining optimum visibility. However, the ability to let air flow is important when at dock or running in good weather, and is just as important a function. EZ2CY® has many answers to opening panels and allowing airflow. In fact, most owners find opening and closing EZ2CY® Panels easier than conventional enclosures! You can access this section of the site directly by clicking on Opening on the navigation menu above.

Price
Any enclosure is an expensive purchase. While EZ2CY® is more expensive up front, the long term cost of ownership is lower than competing enclosures. To find out more, check out our Price page. You may also want to read our two articles: Mystery of the Enclosures, and Purchasing an Enclosure. You can access this section of the site directly by clicking on Materials or Quality on the navigation menu at the left of your browser window.

Tower Configuration
The design of your tower is an important part of the integrity of your EZ2CY® Enclosure. This section explains some things to watch out for, and some tips on finding a tower company that can accommodate your needs. You can access this section of the site directly by clicking on Tower Configuration on the navigation menu above.

Initial and occasional use of EZ2CY® Enclosure Cleaner and Polish removes static that attracts dust, and makes future washing easier. The product is easy to use, and has anti-fog as well as water-shedding properties. Kleenex® Viva White paper towels are highly recommended - they're always soft, absorbent, and clean. Ask your favorite marine store for EZ2CY® Enclosure Cleaner and Polish.

Rinse the salt off of your enclosure with fresh water after each day of use, and periodically when exposed to salt air. More extensive cleaning can be accomplished with the use of common boat soaps in conjunction with a soft mitt or SWOBBIT® (800-362-9873) specially designed for the task. Follow with a fresh water rinse. A squeegee with no sharp edges may be used if desired. Areas with particularly bad spotting water may wish to contact the SWOBBIT® people to invest in their superb water filter.

Warning! Window cleaning sprays, RainX®, kitchen scouring compounds, and alcohol-based solvents (such as acetone and lacquer thinner) should never be used on your EZ2CY® Enclosure. Caution also needs to be exercised when using metal cleaners on pipework that is adjacent to the enclosure.

Unzipping and washing of zippers with soap and water followed by a thorough rinsing of fresh water is recommended. If zipper tape is especially dirty, use a light solution of Woolite®-type fabric cleaner followed by a thorough rinsing with fresh water. Do not use any form of lubricant.

If desired, you can wax EZ2CY® with a good quality auto paste wax. Try to avoid waxes with color. Follow the waxing with a wipe from a damp cloth to remove any built up static electricity.

Most scratches can be removed by hand polishing with compounds such as Simonize cleaner or Finesse®. Use of an electric buffer may be helpful. Keep moving over the area, applying light pressure and keeping the area moist using a spray bottle with clean water. Once the scratch is gone, rinse and follow with EZ2CY® Yacht Enclosure Cleaner/Polish.

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EXCITING NEWS about EZ2CY®'s continuing commitment to Innovation and Function: EZ2CY® has collaborated with YKK® zipper company to help create the best marine zipper. YKK® is the largest zipper company in the country.

EZ2CY® Enclosures are able to meet and exceed customer expectations on such a consistent basis because they are made from quality components. While EZ2CY® was the first to adapt acrylic for use in marine environments, the rest of the enclosure is composed of parts from other companies. Those components were carefully chosen and evaluated to maintain the high quality standards of EZ2CY®.

Each component of an EZ2CY® Enclosure contributes to the effectiveness of the system as a whole. Valmex® nautica, the fabric we use as a border, is peerless. This versatile vinyl-coated polyester is easy to clean, stronger than any other material of comparable weight, and has a five year limited warranty. For those reasons, we strongly advocate the use of Valmex® nautica fabric that matches your boat. However, we have fabricated and installed enclosures with SUNBRELLA® borders since early 1992 with no problems and would be glad to accommodate with this fabric if you prefer (no white, please). These borders are turned and finished so that frayed edges, which are often associated with simply cutting a hole for the window, are not a problem. SolarFix® thread is used exclusively throughout the EZ2CY® Enclosure. If SolarFix® fails, the thread will be replaced and restitching will be performed at our expense.

"Box Lunch" has had EZ2CY® installed since May of 1990. Because EZ2CY® did not use SolarFix® thread until October of 1991, the enclosure had to be restitched. Zippers were replaced after five and a half years, and the original hook-and-loop has been replaced. The border fabric still looks good and the EZ2CY® Panels are still clearer than real glass. "Box Lunch" is starting its tenth season of charter with the enclosure, and Operator and Captain Craig Ziegler is not one to compromise when it comes to visibility. "Box Lunch" is very well known and respected for catching fish, and to catch, Craig demands the ability to see all the subtle signs. Just for the sake of comparison, here's another interesting fact: conventional .040 vinyl lasted only two seasons on the "Box Lunch".

Open only those panels designed to be opened. When your enclosure is installed, the dealer will demonstrate and give specific instructions for opening and closing your EZ2CY® Enclosure. Some general rules apply to all opening panels:

• When opening or closing a panel, caution should be taken to prevent excessive bending. EZ2CY® can break when bent.
• When handling panels, the wind can be an important factor. If under way, reduce your speed or turn your boat to eliminate excess wind.
• Vertical zippers must be fully open to the top track. For sliding panels, fully open and separate the zippers.
• Hold the panel with one hand while opening the bottom zipper. This will give you better control of the panel.
• For hinged panels, pull the panel in and up, fastening appropriately. For sliding panels, slide the panel completely open and make sure that it is properly fastened.
• If panels are rubbing on each other, insert a Bounty® paper towel, clear suction cup, spacer, or similar product to prevent scratching.

EZ2CY® Panels are designed to remain on the boat. The cost and likelihood of scratching or breaking a panel in the process of removing it far outweighs any benefit of storage. If you absolutely must remove your panels, please contact your EZ2CY® Dealer for help.

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Any enclosure is an expensive purchase. While EZ2CY® is more expensive up front, the long term cost of ownership is lower than competing enclosures. Careful consideration should be given to all choices. Ask owners, visit marinas, and look at boats. See how the various boats and enclosures are holding up, and ask people how happy they are with their enclosures. Divide the initial price of an enclosure by the number of years it will deliver clarity and appearance that you consider acceptable. It will be easy to see why more discriminating yacht owners choose EZ2CY®.

Remember, EZ2CY® Companies have a vested interest in making your enclosure right and keeping you happy! Our reputation is built on how well we satisfy our customers' needs and deliver quality work. And with locations from coast to coast, EZ2CY® is ready to take care of your needs. To find the EZ2CY® Company nearest to you, check the Dealer List by clicking on this link, Dealer Info.

EZ2CY® Companies are often asked how a hardtop or tower should be configured to accommodate the EZ2CY® Enclosure. The same rules that govern conventional enclosures also apply to EZ2CY®. Pipework should never interrupt the plane of your enclosure. A pipe running through your front panels will mean ordained leaks, whether you use EZ2CY® or vinyl!

A simple test is to run a piece of string vertically from your top track to the bridge where your enclosure will be fastened. Now slide this string from left to right, around the area that you wish to have enclosed. If it touches a pipe, or worse yet is interrupted at more than the aft corners then you need to talk to your tower person. Most reputable tower companies can accommodate your request while maintaining the integrity of your tower. Check out your tower person's previous work; does it satisfy the string test? If your tower person refuses to talk, you should consider a walk. If he argues that they have been doing it that way for 40 years, ask him why he hasn't figured out how to do it right yet! If you have any questions, please give us a call at 800-448-4317.

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These pages showcase boats which serve as particularly good examples of specific aspects of our enclosures, such as clarity, durability, integrated appearance, distortion-free bends, and track-to-track panel opening. We feature the well respected and well known 63' Ocean Yacht "South Jersey Champion" sporting EZ2CY®'s Enclosure that was installed in October of 1991 just before the boat was displayed at the Annapolis Powerboat Show. After five years and over five hundred billfish releases all of the zippers were replaced and the first photo shown was taken. The boat was sold, renamed the "Ocean Lady" and continued to follow the sun when the second photo was taken after over 8 years of use. Miami became her home and the latest photo of the 63 was taken October 2001. After over TEN years of use, the EZ2CY® Enclosure is as clear as real glass and clearer than any new enclosure you can purchase today. Patented and Proven, clearer than glass, no distortion, no rainbows; just "Clear Class®" EZ2CY®.