Larson 310 Wind shield

[steve 310]

I have a 1991 Larson 310 and last week whilst in a force 5 sea, one of the windshields shattered. I was thinking of replacing the glass with perspex to make it lighter and less stress on the frame. Do you think it will sag under its own weight?

 

[steve 310]

Can anyone please help me on this?

 

[Scott Danforth]

First, welcome aboard

second, please be patient around a holiday weekend. most of us were burning fuel enjoying boating

the windshield most likely broke because your cap is flexing. not from the frame.

I would replace the windshield with the proper material https://www.taylormadeproducts.com/windshield-glass-solutions/
being a big curved windshield, hold onto something when you get the price

then I would look to see what is moving. Being a 32 year old boat (2023's come out this week) my guess is there is something flexing.

 

[steve 310]

Sorry about that but I'm from Malta, so totally different holidays setup. Sweating at work & longing for the weekend ahead.

The supplier will not deliver out of the states. So must get the tempered glass manufactured in Italy. It's not curved so quite a straightforward task. However, I was thinking to replace both the big panes with plexiglass 6mm tinted. They are exactly the same colour too. Any coments please

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... I'd go with the glass, as the plastic gets scratched when cleanin', 'n generally can't take the sunlight, without gettin' hazed, 'n brittle,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Sorry about that but I'm from Malta, so totally different holidays setup. Sweating at work & longing for the weekend ahead.

The supplier will not deliver out of the states. So must get the tempered glass manufactured in Italy. It's not curved so quite a straightforward task. However, I was thinking to replace both the big panes with plexiglass 6mm tinted. They are exactly the same colour too. Any coments please

being flat glass, any glass shop that can get tempered glass can make the windshields.

acrylic will scratch from normal use, you cant run a wiper and will haze in sunlight. Polycarbonate is stronger, however not UV stable as acrylic and when it shatters, will cause shards of plastic to be projected.

stick with glass.

determine what is moving on your cap.

 

[steve 310]

Thank you for the help, I will go for glass then and check the frame first

 

[airshot]

I woukd also recomebd stucking with glass, however, if you do decide to go plastic for whatever reason, do not use plexiglass as it will crack and shatter, instead use Lexan or other " polycarbonate" plastic. Yes ut will scratch unless you are very carefull, but ploycarb wont break !!! It does well in sun and doesnt get brittle. It is also more expensive than glass, so make your decision, but NO plexiglass !!!!