stupid human(windshield) tricks

[murphini]

Looking for suggestions...<br /><br />My walk thru windshield has platic turn latches to secure it down. Last year when washing the the boat, my son shut the window and both tabs were sheared off as the window slammed down.<br /><br />I saw replacement latches on WestMarine. Bought them, with self-taping metal screws. When I installed the first one, went fine, the second hit the glass in the frame and I have to admit safety glass is pretty cool the way it goes "poof" when it shatters. <br /><br />SO, now I have to replace the glass and figure out a better replacement latch solution. Any ideas?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: stupid human(windshield) tricks

Plexiglass or lexan and velcro straps.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: stupid human(windshield) tricks

Murphani, Do not feel too bad about your Stupid trick. I had an old runabout with a plexiglas windshield. While fishing with my brother-in-law, he managed to put his head and torso through the windshield. A triangular section of the 1/4" plastic just peeled down. That really Stunk, as no replacements were available.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: stupid human(windshield) tricks

... and on my last boat, my mate hooked a big one and grabbed our wooden club to stun it before hauling it aboard (it had wicked teeth).<br /><br />He smashed the windshield, the fish quietly slipped away, and we heard it laugh!

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: stupid human(windshield) tricks

Any glass shop should be able to cut a new pane for it, if you can take the frame in. Several years ago I was towing my old Baja home, I ran over a chunk on tire on the road ( It was night ) anyway the tire was tossed from under my car and smashed a pane from the boats windshield , took it to a auto glass repair and they were able to fit a new piece in.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: stupid human(windshield) tricks

Lexan is lighter/stronger and will probably do the trick. <br /><br />Bob

 

[rwidman]

Re: stupid human(windshield) tricks

If it's glass, it has to be safety glass. Lexan will eventually scratch and it will yellow from being in the sun. If it's a fairly new boat, a dealer can probably order the part. I had to replace a curved pane on a previous boat. I believe a rock hit it while trailering but there's no way to know for sure.<br /><br />As for the screw breaking the glass, after you install the replacement glass, measure the depth of the hole to the point where it hits the glass and cut the tip of the screw off so it won't contact the glass. It only needs to be long enough to fully engage the metal in the frame.