Jon makes some really good points (as always) that I've considered over the years. Forward visibility is not given very much value by a lot of designers/builders/owners. Sure, IF you are always standing up, IF the weather is good, IF there wasn't an 'added-on' canvas dodger/bimini/contraption, then there isn't too much of an issue. But I go sailing for fun, pleasure and relaxation. I tend to lounge in the cockpit and still want to be able to reach over and adjust course (either with the autopilot or my hand on the wheel/tiller).

I learned years ago about the difficulty of seeing navigation lights through plastic dodger windows and especially through tinted ones. When the time came for me to replace them on my Mainecat, I intentionally chose acrylic vs strata-glass to ensure clarity and I also chose non-tinted. From a sun/privacy perspective I was surprised at what I lost when I gave up the (lightly) tinted strata glass. But the visibility forward both day and night, as well as the increased brightness inside on a grey day was startlingly improved. On a grey day, tinted glass makes everything even more drab and threatening too.

Ultimately, one of the reasons I go sailing is to enjoy the outside world around me. I also enjoy being warm, dry and comfortable when I laze around taking in my surroundings. On 99% of the boats I've seen, I have to choose between those priorities and can't have them at the same time. It was one of the top reasons I chose the Mainecat and it makes choosing the 'next' boat very, very difficult. Yup, I WANT my cake and to eat it too!