Princecraft windshields breaking ?

[Erie-Eyes]

ps

Erie eyes,

Do you have a stand up top on your boat?

I may have found the problem,in taking the gasket out just now
I see there are some small indentations in the back of the gasket. That pressure would be not good! Turns out the thumb latches for the stand up top are riveted to the windshield frame and are a mere 12mm back running right behind the glass. I bet they have shortened these rivets since.

Hi tbar,
Yes I do have a standup top, and after fishing BOQ two weeks ago, I would not be without one! I suspect that when towing and hitting bumps in the road, the boat may flex a certain amount, and if the windshield is not properly mounted or the glass properly installed/protected something may give ie broken glass. You may have found the problem above. Good luck on getting it solved/fixed.

[tbar]

here is the visual of the cause.


http://xs433.xs.to/xs433/08461/windshiled_011221.jpg

[Erie-Eyes]

Hi again tbar - I took my baby into my Princecraft dealer this am for winterization and indoor storage, and asked him about your problem. He advised that he has seen windshields shatter and it was always due to an installation problem. He indicated there are only 3 screws used - 1 for each of the two support arms, and only 1 for snaps for the top - all other top snaps are clip on units. Either wrong screws or poor installation are usually the problem. Hope this information will help you find the problem. Good Luck.

[tbar]

Thanks for checking that out. You mentioned the bumps in the road etc effecting a poorly installed windshield. Well here is the gasket with the dents in it.

I spoke with my glass suppliers I used for 25yrs and they all said the same thing. Absolutely these rivets should not be making these pressure points. A bump in the road etc would increase the pressure exponentially at the only weak part in tempered glass(the edge) So far they are denying this is an issue? Wow is all I can say.

http://xs433.xs.to/xs433/08461/windshiled_019919.jpg

[DeTree]

I am having the same trouble.....4 windshields in 3 years. Is the any other replacement except the one from quebec?......at 350 a piece it really adds up

[tbar]

Wow, thats terrible. Sorry to hear that and no I can't say I know of any solution. They replaced my windshield after much squawking and as they should have, but if they are not fixing the problem then it should be their problem still in my opinion.

I believe those rivets are the problem. Do you have a stand up top with the same rivets holding the turnbuckles onto the top frame?

[mregh]

I bought a new lowe 175 fs on 9/19/09. I have had it out only 3 times,8hrs on the engine. Last time out was on nov.17 a week ago my wife heard a noise in the garage, the next day I went out the port side curved glass windshield was all over the floor it blew out for no reason. The glass was blown 7 feet, I am really upset. I bought the boat from Cabelas they said glass is not warranteed. So I am in the same boat as you, no pun intended. Mike

[mikemicropterus]

Gotta agree with marc, I've installed lots of windshields and have seen some really bad installations which can happen.
Windsheilds are dealer installed but they have already been fitted at the factory, Princecraft anyway.

Do you have any snaps screwed into the windshield frame????
I busted one ONCE by installing the snap too high in the frame.The screw just caught the edge of the glass and it exploded then disintegrated right before my eyes.
What a surprise