Someone recently was asking about what material to replace windows with.
That got me thinking today as I got into my '90 YJ Jeep, that the
windshield would be a good candidate for the center cabin windows in my
Irwin 37. Nice and flat. Its rectangular which I like better than the
stream lined profile that's in there now. I'll have to go to the boat
to measure if it's long enough. I don't think I would mount it the way
it is on the Jeep cause pop out windows are probably not a good feature
on a boat.

The glass out of the back doors of a panel truck is usually flat and
might be a good choice for a windshield.

Any reason why I wouldn't want to use auto glass in a boat?

Ron

None that I know of. The hard dodger in my WS32 has auto glass, even on
the curves (rear cab corner windows from an old pickup truck). The PO
installed it in Australia and about '82 and it made it back to the west
coast with no problems to date. Still cleans up beautifully.

Large panels will be weaker, of course, but that's true of any system.

Rufus

Ron Thornton wrote:

Someone recently was asking about what material to replace windows with.
That got me thinking today as I got into my '90 YJ Jeep, that the
windshield would be a good candidate for the center cabin windows in my
Irwin 37. Nice and flat. Its rectangular which I like better than the
stream lined profile that's in there now. I'll have to go to the boat
to measure if it's long enough. I don't think I would mount it the way
it is on the Jeep cause pop out windows are probably not a good feature
on a boat.

The glass out of the back doors of a panel truck is usually flat and
might be a good choice for a windshield.

Any reason why I wouldn't want to use auto glass in a boat?

Ron

"Ron Thornton" writes:

snip
Any reason why I wouldn't want to use auto glass in a boat?
snip

Possibly might be a problem.

Most auto safety glass will shatter into small pieces when hit, leaving a
major hole if used on a boat.

OTOH, laminated safety glass, while abandoned years ago for automobiles,
would simply crack when hit.

Might be some sharp shards of glass on the deck, but no major hole for water
to enter.

Talk to somebody in the glass business.

HTH


--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the Southland)
Visit: http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett for Pictures

"Safety glass" is laminated, and is used in all automobile windshields.
Tempered glass is the stuff that breaks into a million small pieces on heavy
impact, and is used in side and back glasses in autos. Safety glass is
stocked and can be cut at pretty much any glass shop. Tempered has to be cut
to size, then sent to a tempering company for treatment.

Safety glass is used in lots of boats. One of the best things you can put
in, is a sandwich of two sheets of tempered glass laminated like safety
glass. If it DOES break, the lamination keeps all the pieces together. If
anyone is interested, I can post a source, but be forewarned, it's
EXPENSIVE!

"Lew Hodgett" wrote in message
hlink.net...

"Ron Thornton" writes:

snip
Any reason why I wouldn't want to use auto glass in a boat?
snip

Possibly might be a problem.

Most auto safety glass will shatter into small pieces when hit, leaving a
major hole if used on a boat.

OTOH, laminated safety glass, while abandoned years ago for automobiles,
would simply crack when hit.

Might be some sharp shards of glass on the deck, but no major hole for
water
to enter.

Talk to somebody in the glass business.

HTH


--
Lew

S/A: Challenge, The Bullet Proof Boat, (Under Construction in the
Southland)
Visit: http://home.earthlink.net/~lewhodgett for Pictures

Ah, good point about the "big hole" problem. My installation is on the
dodger and wouldn't compromise the interior if it broke. Many good
opening ports use glass - albeit in small sizes. However, I think the
area of most auto glass would be too large for the glass thickness to
withstand much bashing with waves, especially if it were flat.

Rufus

Lew Hodgett wrote:

"Ron Thornton" writes:

snip

Any reason why I wouldn't want to use auto glass in a boat?

snip

Possibly might be a problem.

Most auto safety glass will shatter into small pieces when hit, leaving a
major hole if used on a boat.

OTOH, laminated safety glass, while abandoned years ago for automobiles,
would simply crack when hit.

Might be some sharp shards of glass on the deck, but no major hole for water
to enter.

Talk to somebody in the glass business.

HTH

Maybe lucite or plexiglass?

Polycarb?

On Wed, 26 Nov 2003 17:55:01 -0500 (EST), (Ron
Thornton) sent into the ether:

Someone recently was asking about what material to replace windows with.
That got me thinking today as I got into my '90 YJ Jeep, that the
windshield would be a good candidate for the center cabin windows in my
Irwin 37. Nice and flat. Its rectangular which I like better than the
stream lined profile that's in there now. I'll have to go to the boat
to measure if it's long enough. I don't think I would mount it the way
it is on the Jeep cause pop out windows are probably not a good feature
on a boat.

The glass out of the back doors of a panel truck is usually flat and
might be a good choice for a windshield.

Any reason why I wouldn't want to use auto glass in a boat?

Ron


Nope, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Laminated glass in US auto windshields is designed to break, but hold
together and not let you penetrate it. In Europe, I think, the
windshields have a second lamination on the inside to minimize cuts.
Side auto windows are made from a single sheet of tempered glass.
Generally you do not want tempered glass where you might impact it,
like in a windshield, as you may incur consideral impact damage to
your head and body. Tempered glass is not unbreakable, but takes much
more force to shatter than non-tempered or laminated glass.

Then again, you may want to take your demensions to a glass shop and
ask about getting laminated and tempered glass made to fit your needs.
Laminated glass takes experience to cut without breaking it and
tempered cannot be cut without shattering it.

You can even get laminated glass made with one or more tempered
pieces. One more thing, all glass, but especially tempered glass is
vulnerable to breakage by hitting/tapping/bumping the edge.

Hopes this helps.

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