Front Windshields are GONE

[madhatter66]

Finally got around to the front windshields on my 66' 34C. 2 had a hairline cracks. Since the lower helm station was already removed and windshields are always covered, there was no reason to replace the glass. So I removed the whole sha-bang. Glass and frame. I pretreated the plywood with penetrating epoxy during the winter so it was already for spring. The opening was cleaned out and plywood fitted. It was secured with SS screws and epoxy filler was used to fill the minor gaps. Came back after sanding with 2 layers of fiberglass. Once dried, some sanding and primer was applied. Since the weather went south, I gotta wait before applying 1 part topside.

 

[madhatter66]

1st coat of primer

 

[madhatter66]

1st coat of topside

 

[Boatsb]

Im seeing a lot of shadow and uneven surfaces. Are you going to fair it?

 

[madhatter66]

Fiberglass has been already laid. The slight uneven isn't that bad. Plus it's a 51 year old boat. So the lil blemish that you may see I can deal with.

 

[SEVEN]

Im seeing a lot of shadow and uneven surfaces. Are you going to fair it?

I wasn't going to say anything.

 

[Boatsb]

Flush with the outside, fairing at the joint will also be straight, flat and even before primer. It's a 30+ year old boat but that does not matter.

It takes less time to do it right than to do it twice.

 

[SeaEric]

I admire owners that labor to keep these old gals running and performing for their needs be it crusing, fishing, diving - whatever. Some of the older boats have way bigger challenges than making them "pretty". Previously leaking winshields that are now closed in and tight to the weather is a huge step in the right direction. Not every owner is striving for a yacht re-do. I say BRAVO! Good work. Keep us updated on your projects and further progress.

 

[Boatsb]

Ok Eric but.

1) plywood is the wrong choice of filler.
2) a foam cored panel with smooth fiberglass on the outside is easy to make and install.
3) it's also lighter and easy to finish as 90% of the panel is as smooth and flat as glass.

I know you feel it's good to do something no matter what but when you do things yourself do you maintain high or low standards?


By the way. If needed I could have shipped the blanks with a smooth flat side if he needed.

 

[krush]

I like the windows!

 

[Boatsb]

Want to buy the set I pulled from the 52c?

I dropped the temp inside almost 30 degrees .

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Caveman...

 

[Boatsb]

There's still 4 big side windows and 2 across the act bulkhead.

Cavelike it's not.

 

[madhatter66]

SeaEric
This is the point of the removal of the windshields. Thanks

Boatsb
Plywood isn't a bad option to fill in the area. It doesn't add that much weight compared to the windshields. I'm not the 1st nor the last that will choose this option. How is this a "high" or "low" standards even though I think you directed that question to SeaEric? It's a OWNER'S choice

 

[Boatsb]

Using the laminated core with the smooth gelcoat surface is much faster than plywood. Just smooth the seams and prime.


Also there's no way to rot since there's no material that can rot.

I've fixed others where people used plywood and it rotted after a few years . Plywood is not the best choice.

 

[krush]

Want to buy the set I pulled from the 52c?

They won't fit anything of mine.

 

[Boatsb]

They won't fit anything of mine.

What kind of redneck has no chainsaw?

 

[madhatter66]

Plywood rotting after a few years. That sux maybe something was skipped. However, I used penetrating epoxy all around both sides and used 2 not 1 but 2 full sheets of fiberglass to cover the WHOLE front. Top to bottom, left to right times two. Plus the inside will get glassed in as well. The same as the outside.

 

[Boatsb]

If the boat flexes and a crack develops it can leak. Penetrating epoxy will help but is not rot proof.

I had a 36 come in with similar work. The 2 layers of glass held in the water that wicked in through the cracks.

 

[madhatter66]

Rockfish and Cruise ready