Anybody replaced a windshield lately?

Stodge

I saw a demonstration where a guy took an ax to a tempered glass door.  It chipped but did not break.  Then he took the pointy end and struck it in a corner and the whole thing fell away.  I've seen the spring loaded punches that can take out a car window in one shot if applied the say way.  I think it's a long shot (no pun intended) but a well placed bb or pellet in the corner of the windshield might have the same effect.

Handymans342

At this point what difference does it make??? LOL

LaRea

Yeah, at this point it's just a matter of curiosity.  And conversation, since I know people here at the marina will be asking me about it for the next couple months.

Liberty44140

LaRea said:

Yeah, at this point it's just a matter of curiosity.  And conversation, since I know people here will be asking me about it for the next couple months.

I’m definitely pretty curious and tuned in

Willhound

When I climb up and down from the fore deck on my 270 I have a habit of putting weight on the windshield as a hand grip. I noticed a bit of movement last fall. Bottom mounting screws probably loosened. Will fix ASAP and rethink the process.

LaRea

Latest news ... $3k plus installation, and that's the good news.  The bad news is 6 to 10 weeks lead time.  Looks like I'll be spending $100 on a big piece of plastic for a temporary window.  

Handymans342

At least you found it

aero3113

Good news that you can have it replaced. Can you have insurance cover it?

J3ff

Holy cow, sorry to hear man. 

LaRea

Yeah, for that kind of money, I'll ask for help from the insurance policy.  

Stodge

Ouch.  Hurts the wallet and the season.  

Michael T

@Glassguy54 - I believe you are 100% on the money!

craigswardmtb

Not fun or funny. Sorry to hear. I noticed a bit of separation of the port side windshi4ld from the upper frame and gasket on my 360.  For the past season I get leakage when it rains. Not sure what caused it but I have been worrying about how the windshield is more exposed and less supported. Perhaps new windshield gaskets will fix it (if I can source them somewhere) or simply some caulk. 
Your story, LaRea, has me worried though so I'll be addressing it sooner than later. 

LaRea

Coupla updates.  Yes, my insurance will cover it 100% (minus the $1k deductible), so that's a welcome relief.  And today I built a temporary window using Lexan (polycarbonate), so she's ready to launch. 

The window came out great.  It's not perfect ... the pass-thru window is hard to shut, the canvas is a bit loose, and one part has a small gap that I had to seal with silicone.  But overall, I'm really happy with it.  A casual observer would not notice it at all.  

I originally had plastic sheeting taped over the window, so I marked the plastic with a Sharpie and used it to make a cardboard template 3/4" bigger than the opening.  Then I removed the frame and took it home.  I cut the Lexan with a power jig saw and, after a bit of trial and error, fitted it into the frame.  Total time, about 7 hours with some help from my mechanic.  

Lexan is amazing stuff.  When they say unbreakable, they mean it.  You can bend it in half and it won't break.  

aero3113

Great job @LaRea !! Perfect temporary fix!

Handymans342

Leave it!

Liberty44140

Well you are making progress, have a solution on the way and $ impact got a lot lower. Sucks that it happened but hey, your dealing with it, will be all good. 

reneechris14

All is see is a foot print. Now if they throw something at it it will just bounce off. Good work.

GMSLITHO

Maybe the boat shifted a little during the winter and caused the frame to twist and crack the glass 

Dream_Inn

Great temp fix!  Allows you to continue using the boat, which is good.  6-10 weeks means you should have it for the heavy boating time in the summer, so not terrible.  Glad to hear you got it figured out.

LaRea

Right - there's a lot of boating between now and June!  In the meantime, I can do normal cruise speeds.  Just have to remember not to lean on that window.  

Dude_Himself

Amazing work. I used to use heat and lexan to make intricate parts (before 3d printing) - it's not easy to get such professional results!

Glassguy54

So, is the $3,00.00 amount for an entire new windshield assembly, or just for a single replacement lite? If the former, I can see that, if the latter, no way!

LaRea

It's $2700 for just the one panel, pre-installed in a new frame, with tax and shipping to Virginia.  I'm actually not surprised at that price to build an out-of-production part.  

LaRea

After 10 weeks, the part is here.  Somehow, the cost to ship this baby was over $900.  I'll try to get it installed in the next few weeks.  In the meantime, my temporary Lexan panel has performed admirably.  You can barely tell it's homemade, and it has withstood high speeds and heavy weather.  Seems a shame to send it to the landfill.  

Handymans342

I would love to hear Led Zep black dog on that stereo!!

LaRea

Hah ... they're Linns and they sound spectacular!

Liberty44140

Nice! Glad it’s working out 

cherik

@LaRea any chance you still have that Lexan window and want to sell it? The wind caught my pass thru window last weekend and the protection bumper shattered our port side window. I can’t even get to the serial number of the window without completely removing the glass and I don’t want to do that until I have something to cover it with. Such a nightmare! 

LaRea

Heck yes!  I will send you a PM.