CC Windscreen Replacement

[Dragging Baits]

I'm sure it's been covered somewhere but does anyone know where I can get a new plexiglass wind screen for a center console made? Somewhere close to Deale if possible. Greatly appreciated.

[THOMAS70]

We make several a year, what kind of boat? We are located in Harve De Grace.

[THOMAS70]

Sorry, you can email andersonyacht@hotmail.com

[aardvarkgraphix]

Shoot man MAKE YOUR own. It will give you some pride in the boat knowing you did it yourself.
**** First ........Get the plexiglass, use a tape measure to get the length and height needed.

****Second.....I made a template of the base out of plywood, just so I would know that the bends would be in the correct place.

****Third.......Take the plexi and slide it between two peices of wood or something to make a brake of some sort.

****Forth.....Apply heat with a heat gun until it starts to bend, Do one side of the upright and the the other side. I you want it to lean back a little make this measurement and cut the bottom of the sides to accomplish to angle you want(make sure do relief cuts on the front corners approximately 1.5" to 2" up so that it will still screw flush to the center console).

****Fifth.... drill the shield and screw in into place. NOW the fun part. I took the heat gun and heated the edges and with GLOVED hands, put water deflector wings on it. Now water that hits the shield is deflected around you like a hood deflector on a car/truck. I have the 10.3" Lowrance Sonar/GPS on my CC and did not think when I made the shield and had to heat again, with a GLOVED hand and put a bubble set back into the shield and it gave the shield some strength.

The folks that have seen it cannot believe I made it and it works PERFECT, my total cost.....ZEROOOOOO!!!! out of some old plexi I had lying around, It took some time to figure it out. BUT with the FUEL prices as they are, more trips in the boat and not paying the $100-200 for the shield.
It is really not that hard, Try it, YOU probably will like it. Took me about 3 hrs from start to finish. Make sure you use Plexi, Polycarbonate will bubble up when heated if not careful. Plexi will too if you get REAL WILD with the heat gun, just a little more forgiving.

Hope it helps...
Ken

[Miles Offshore]

may i suggest what aardvarkgraphix said with the exception of instead of plexiglas use thin sheet of Lexan- this is what the custom guys use if its not to $$$$$$

[aardvarkgraphix]

Lexan is Polycarbonate, as I was saying in my post earlier. Poly will bubble up when heated unless you are "VERY,VERY" careful. These guys that do it for a living have invested in more expensive plastic heaters. I am sure they do not use a heat gun. I agree that is a better material, and is a great product for the shield. I made my first one out of Lexan, I also could not figure out why the corners were milky white and "FULL" of very small bubbles. I asked the company I get my plastic from and that is when I was told why. I guess if you are careful and want to pay the price for practice, give it a try you may get lucky.

My experience, I went with the plexi the second time, second boat.
ken

[Cool Breeze]

that was just my 2 cents, i have played with both and thought the lexan was quite a bit clearer than the plexiglass.

[DDan]

The polycarbonate (Lexan(r)) is much more scratch resistant than the Plexiglass (polymethylmethacrylate, if anyone cares). Another reason to risk an "experiment". Comparing properties, you have to get the polycarbonate a lot hotter to bend it than the plexi - which explains the bubbling.

[aardvarkgraphix]

Poly is a better material, I am putting together a sandrail buggy now. I guess I will try to do something kinda wild for a windshield for it. The poly would be a lot better choice for that because of its impact resistance properties. I would REALLY hat that BIG ROCK to pop me in the old punkin head. I guess I will just need to be a little more careful with the heat gun.

[stevej00]

Maritime plactics in Eastport, Annapolis...they can do, and have done, about anything if you don;t go it on your own and need someone close.