I have had quite a bit of trouble with my windshields breaking on my Princecraft. The first 2 times happened within a few months of getting the boat brand new 4 yrs ago. It was both sides that had broken (1 EACH)on two occasions, both while the boat was parked. The first time was in my laneway and the second was at Cedar village Pickerel river, so it isnt some kid with a pellet gun.
Now my passenger side has broken for the second time making 3 times total for windshield breaks on my boat! That was in late September and Princecraft will not warranty the glass or fix the problem whatever it is that is causing them to break.
When I spoke to their Ontario Sales rep even he suggested that the temperature change may be causing the glass to pinch an edge in the frame or something similar and yet the Head Office refuses to acknowledge there is a problem.
I am wondering if anyone else has had problems with their Princecraft windshields breaking?
A most unusual problem when you consider I have driven a car(gravel roads included) for 32yrs x 40km per is 1.2 million km and yet I have not broken 3 car windshields, yet Princecraft will not make good on or even recognize the defect here, really quite a pee pee off. They replaced the first 2 but obviously did not repair the problem.
p.s Another question, has anyone in all their years of boating in their lifetime had 3 windshilds break in their boat for no apparent reason or otherwise?
Please answer if you can because I think I will take them to court on this issue and a consencus from seasoned boaters would be much appreciated.
Princecraft windshields breaking ?
I agree,and I have spoken to proffessional glazier's that agree. I myself have been in the construction industry for 32 yrs and know that tempered glass does not break easily even with a hammer. Even Princecrafts Ontario rep told me that he thought it was the temperature change outside making the glass pinch an edge in the frame or something similar. The edge contacting a hard surface is exactly how this can happen.
I have been e-mailing etc since late Sept and no help from them yet, very frustrating.
Here is one of the responses I received from their Warranty manager.---------------
Mr.Barrett,
It is almost impossible to determine exactly what broke the glass on your windshield ,it can be many reasons, but like like I told you before after almost 4 years of utilisation it can not be a factory defect.
Best Regards ,
Denis Comeau,
Princecraft Boats Inc.
Warranty & Service
------------
Well in fact it is not impossible and the fact is it is the manufacturers job to find out what is breaking a windshield over and over again so that it can be made good by same.The problem was not fixed by them when they installed the first 2 broken replacements and now they have the oddacity to make the statement above.
cheers
I have been e-mailing etc since late Sept and no help from them yet, very frustrating.
Here is one of the responses I received from their Warranty manager.---------------
Mr.Barrett,
It is almost impossible to determine exactly what broke the glass on your windshield ,it can be many reasons, but like like I told you before after almost 4 years of utilisation it can not be a factory defect.
Best Regards ,
Denis Comeau,
Princecraft Boats Inc.
Warranty & Service
------------
Well in fact it is not impossible and the fact is it is the manufacturers job to find out what is breaking a windshield over and over again so that it can be made good by same.The problem was not fixed by them when they installed the first 2 broken replacements and now they have the oddacity to make the statement above.
cheers
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marc Thorpe
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 5:34 am
Hi TBar,can you email me pictures of your windshield
I have run Princecraft for 20 years and have never had an issue with my windshields
I suspect the windshield is not lined up properly since the installation in which the dealer preps the boat including the windshield
They now have pilot holes when installing windshields,back then pilot holes were not made
also what model is it ,full windshield or jsut the wind break shield
email me at marcthorpe@msn.com
I have run Princecraft for 20 years and have never had an issue with my windshields
I suspect the windshield is not lined up properly since the installation in which the dealer preps the boat including the windshield
They now have pilot holes when installing windshields,back then pilot holes were not made
also what model is it ,full windshield or jsut the wind break shield
email me at marcthorpe@msn.com
Hi TBar,
I have a Princecraft bass boat and I have not had any trouble with the windsheild. One thing I learned form the gentleman that made my custom cover is that this type of windshield does not withstand the wind pressure of being towed with a boat cover over it. As a result when I put the cover on my boat to travel I take my windshield off. I do not know if you are towing your boat with a cover but this is an interesting topic.
Good luck,
Dave
I have a Princecraft bass boat and I have not had any trouble with the windsheild. One thing I learned form the gentleman that made my custom cover is that this type of windshield does not withstand the wind pressure of being towed with a boat cover over it. As a result when I put the cover on my boat to travel I take my windshield off. I do not know if you are towing your boat with a cover but this is an interesting topic.
Good luck,
Dave
Hi Marc and Troller
It is a superpro 18.6, I dont cover it when I tow, just the standard bow cover that came with the boat which doesnt touch the windshield.
It has me frustrated beyond belief because otherwise I absolutely love the boat and really wouldnt want anything else. But I am shocked that Princecraft has fluffed it off as if it has nothing to do with the construction of the boat. If I buy another windshield I am certain the same thing will happen again because they didnt fix whatever caused the first two. All they did at that time was install a new frame of glass.
What a nightmare.
I'll see about some pics Marc, it is a walk through with both sides glazed and a fold back center window.
It is a superpro 18.6, I dont cover it when I tow, just the standard bow cover that came with the boat which doesnt touch the windshield.
It has me frustrated beyond belief because otherwise I absolutely love the boat and really wouldnt want anything else. But I am shocked that Princecraft has fluffed it off as if it has nothing to do with the construction of the boat. If I buy another windshield I am certain the same thing will happen again because they didnt fix whatever caused the first two. All they did at that time was install a new frame of glass.
What a nightmare.
I'll see about some pics Marc, it is a walk through with both sides glazed and a fold back center window.
I have a 1999 Princecraft 176 superpro, I've only been the owner for one year, but it appears to have the original windshield.
I know a few other members here also have Princecraft boats, and I have not heard anything about windshield issues.
Did I understand that the previous repair was to replace the glass and frame? It seems to me that if there was a manufacturing defect those are the only two components involved.
I'm interested to hear your resolution.
Good Luck.
I know a few other members here also have Princecraft boats, and I have not heard anything about windshield issues.
Did I understand that the previous repair was to replace the glass and frame? It seems to me that if there was a manufacturing defect those are the only two components involved.
I'm interested to hear your resolution.
Good Luck.
I spoke with the glass manufacturer just now and like everyone he is alarmed that it has happened 3 times in such a short timeframe.
He suspects it is an installation problem and said that the dealers are no longer installing the windshields, but what else can he say? The thing is that the windows come as a pre assembled factory unit in a steel frame and it is simply screwed down to the dash of the boat with provided rubber gaskets by the dealer's. That will change in 2009 I am told.
All I know is that I bought a beautifull boat for a lot of money and my darn windshileds keep exploding. I just want it resolved/solved what is doing this.
He suspects it is an installation problem and said that the dealers are no longer installing the windshields, but what else can he say? The thing is that the windows come as a pre assembled factory unit in a steel frame and it is simply screwed down to the dash of the boat with provided rubber gaskets by the dealer's. That will change in 2009 I am told.
All I know is that I bought a beautifull boat for a lot of money and my darn windshileds keep exploding. I just want it resolved/solved what is doing this.
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marc Thorpe
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 5:34 am
Hi Tbar,spoke with my dealer about this and my experience
Ive also installed windshields on several model 176,186,196 I run a 186
1) its not a windshield problem
2) Its not a towing problem,no problems towing in the wind,I tow 200 days a year and never broke a windshield
3) Its not a temperature thing
We suspect 2 things
1) The frame might be warped or bent somewhere which adds pressure and stress in a specific area
2) the installation is to tight
***** or you have someone who has an issue with you and is vandalizing the windshield
**** I suspect the installation is too tight
I suggest you measure both ends for distance and squareness
1) find a specific measure ring point on both sides and verify that the windshield is square
2) 2 if square,verify the tightness of the windshield,might be loose or to tight where its seems bound
3) verify the supporting bars from the windshield and dash are tight
Dont be upset at the rep,ge may or may not be considering the source of the problem
If you would like end of november if your not too far,you can take a drive and I'd be glad to take a look at it for you,possibly find the problem
Ive also installed windshields on several model 176,186,196 I run a 186
1) its not a windshield problem
2) Its not a towing problem,no problems towing in the wind,I tow 200 days a year and never broke a windshield
3) Its not a temperature thing
We suspect 2 things
1) The frame might be warped or bent somewhere which adds pressure and stress in a specific area
2) the installation is to tight
***** or you have someone who has an issue with you and is vandalizing the windshield
**** I suspect the installation is too tight
I suggest you measure both ends for distance and squareness
1) find a specific measure ring point on both sides and verify that the windshield is square
2) 2 if square,verify the tightness of the windshield,might be loose or to tight where its seems bound
3) verify the supporting bars from the windshield and dash are tight
Dont be upset at the rep,ge may or may not be considering the source of the problem
If you would like end of november if your not too far,you can take a drive and I'd be glad to take a look at it for you,possibly find the problem
-
marc Thorpe
- Bronze Participant
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Sat Sep 11, 2004 5:34 am
Hi Tbar,spoke with my dealer about this and my experience
Ive also installed windshields on several model 176,186,196 I run a 186
1) its not a windshield problem
2) Its not a towing problem,no problems towing in the wind,I tow 200 days a year and never broke a windshield
3) Its not a temperature thing
We suspect 2 things
1) The frame might be warped or bent somewhere which adds pressure and stress in a specific area
2) the installation is to tight
***** or you have someone who has an issue with you and is vandalizing the windshield
**** I suspect the installation is too tight
I suggest you measure both ends for distance and squareness
1) find a specific measure ring point on both sides and verify that the windshield is square
2) 2 if square,verify the tightness of the windshield,might be loose or to tight where its seems bound
3) verify the supporting bars from the windshield and dash are tight
Dont be upset at the rep,ge may or may not be considering the source of the problem
If you would like end of november if your not too far,you can take a drive and I'd be glad to take a look at it for you,possibly find the problem
Ive also installed windshields on several model 176,186,196 I run a 186
1) its not a windshield problem
2) Its not a towing problem,no problems towing in the wind,I tow 200 days a year and never broke a windshield
3) Its not a temperature thing
We suspect 2 things
1) The frame might be warped or bent somewhere which adds pressure and stress in a specific area
2) the installation is to tight
***** or you have someone who has an issue with you and is vandalizing the windshield
**** I suspect the installation is too tight
I suggest you measure both ends for distance and squareness
1) find a specific measure ring point on both sides and verify that the windshield is square
2) 2 if square,verify the tightness of the windshield,might be loose or to tight where its seems bound
3) verify the supporting bars from the windshield and dash are tight
Dont be upset at the rep,ge may or may not be considering the source of the problem
If you would like end of november if your not too far,you can take a drive and I'd be glad to take a look at it for you,possibly find the problem
Hi Marc,
"I tow 200 days a year and never broke a windshield "
Man am I envious....
I am not sure if the temperature thing can be ruled out, the second one that broke was up at Pickerel river, we fished all day long and tied the boat up at the dock overnight. When I walked out the next morning the passenger side was shattered into a million pieces. All three have done that,there is nothing left but 1/4' pieces scattered for 8 ft.
It wouldnt be anything malicious unless someone was following me all around ontario. All three breaks were over 100km to 350km away from each other.
I was present during the installations of the first 2 replacements and I am a high end cabinet maker by trade. The frames were not pre stressed in any way that I could see and were set square. The alignment and tolerances were fine. The installation area was as flat as could be. What I didnt approve of was the haphazard way the frames are screwed into the plastic dash.Not much holding strength in the plastic imho.
If the factory built frames do the job they are engineered for and the frames are not torqued into a sressfull mounting position then there should be no breaking I would think. There was no torquing down of these frames in a stressfull position as far as I saw it so I am inclined to think the frames are pinching the glass some how. Whether that is beacause the frames are not fixed into position strong enough or not I am not sure.
What do you mean when you say the installation is too tight? Do you mean tight to the dash or to the other windshiled or other?
I may head out to Scugog tomorrow for some ski fishing.I am near Newmarket.
Thanks for the offer,if youre close let me know.
Terry
"I tow 200 days a year and never broke a windshield "
Man am I envious....
I am not sure if the temperature thing can be ruled out, the second one that broke was up at Pickerel river, we fished all day long and tied the boat up at the dock overnight. When I walked out the next morning the passenger side was shattered into a million pieces. All three have done that,there is nothing left but 1/4' pieces scattered for 8 ft.
It wouldnt be anything malicious unless someone was following me all around ontario. All three breaks were over 100km to 350km away from each other.
I was present during the installations of the first 2 replacements and I am a high end cabinet maker by trade. The frames were not pre stressed in any way that I could see and were set square. The alignment and tolerances were fine. The installation area was as flat as could be. What I didnt approve of was the haphazard way the frames are screwed into the plastic dash.Not much holding strength in the plastic imho.
If the factory built frames do the job they are engineered for and the frames are not torqued into a sressfull mounting position then there should be no breaking I would think. There was no torquing down of these frames in a stressfull position as far as I saw it so I am inclined to think the frames are pinching the glass some how. Whether that is beacause the frames are not fixed into position strong enough or not I am not sure.
What do you mean when you say the installation is too tight? Do you mean tight to the dash or to the other windshiled or other?
I may head out to Scugog tomorrow for some ski fishing.I am near Newmarket.
Thanks for the offer,if youre close let me know.
Terry
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troutnmuskiehunter
- Diamond Participant
- Posts: 3131
- Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:30 am
9 YRS oldErie-Eyes wrote:I have had my 186 Princecraft for 9 years now and tow it approximately 5000 miles each year with a cover, and have had no problems whatsoever, so I don't believe, towing or weather is the problem. I would suspect a mounting or frame supporting problem.
....wow Bill, your boat looks new!!!...I would have never guessed that it was that old!! 
Thanks Erie Eyes,
thats great to hear you have had no troubles with so much use, there has to be something wrong with the production or installation on my boat. Something Princecraft will not recognize for some reason. I would have thought they would fix such a significant problem in the best interests of their products name. Maybe they will yet.
Even their windshield manufacturer agrees;
"For your information, we never change tempered glass 3 times on the same boat. This is really strange."
thats great to hear you have had no troubles with so much use, there has to be something wrong with the production or installation on my boat. Something Princecraft will not recognize for some reason. I would have thought they would fix such a significant problem in the best interests of their products name. Maybe they will yet.
Even their windshield manufacturer agrees;
"For your information, we never change tempered glass 3 times on the same boat. This is really strange."
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.
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.