Fiberglass over windshields

[montauk1989]

I've noticed in searching the web that many fishing boats with fly bridges have had the wind shields fiberglassed. I've also noted that most new boats are built with what would have been the windshield area fiberglassed. What's the point? Avoiding leaks, privacy, sun damage to the interior?
Thanks
Dave

 

[67hat34c]

windshield

Answer is all of the above, also insulation. Salon is like a big fish bowl. hard for ac to cool with all the glass. also alot of boaters build entertainment systems in that area or use the space for other stuff.

We are keeping ours for now as we have a lower station. We are keeping lower station more for classic look than for function, never used it yet.

 

[Genesis]

In extreme conditions....

.... it is possible to take a breaking wave into the windshields and fracture them.

If you are in this sort of sea condition, that kind of thing could sink you. Not the first one, mind you, but the second, third, and "N"th wave that follows.

Now granted, this is the kind of sea state you hope NEVER to be out in. However, "hope" and "will" are sometimes two different things.

I still have my windows on my 45C, but I've considered glassing them in. If I have the boat painted somewhere in the future, I probably will do it at that time - more for heat rejection than anything else.

 

[sdonx]

Taking one thru the window

Wouldn't an express be prone to that also? I have an express and have been thinking about the ultimate boat for me, Convertible with a lower station and glass.

Has anyone heard of people who have took one thru the window? I know it's possible, but I would think highly unlikely....no?

The heat gain I agree it can be dreadful.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I agree..

...no AC system can keep up with all that heat pouring in...I keep a Sunbrella cover over the triple windshield unless I need to run the boat from down below, which is seldom. Virtually all of these windows leak on every boat I've ever been on, Hatterases not excepted. As long as the Sunbrella's in decent shape, the leak is less or none. As buyers have wanted more interior room, and fly bridges have gotten more luxurious, boat builders have stopped putting in downstairs stations. The uses of that sloped wedge of space that I've seen haven't been particularly imaginative, but it's a hard space to use/reuse, especially if the boat was designed with a downstairs station to begin with.

 

[Genesis]

Quarterberth....

On my boat you could easily fit a quarterberth in there. It would be tight, but not unsusable.

I stash life jackets forward of the entertainment console on my boat, but I'm going to tear that console out and redesign it eventually - maybe this winter - and I may put a quarterberth up there. There is definitely plenty of room for it.

 

[davesommers]

Front windows

I have the three panels to replace my windshields already and this will be done by spring. Got them a year ago from tom slane, but just couldnt get them in before the season started. I am doing it to update the boat, make the front stronger, stop the front wind leaks, etc...

I had a breaking wave come over the bow of my old topaz express and knock out the front windscreen. Rolled right through and soaked me pretty good. I know of several other boats that have had the front glass taken out going through Hatteras Inlet in the past several years. I have had only one or two over the foredeck of the Hatteras, but it will only take the right one to make you a believer...