Aristocraft Winshield Crack Remediation - HELP

Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
16
Hey guys. Been a while since I've posted. I have recently noticed a crack in my windshield of my 1963 Aristocraft Funliner 17 boat. The crack wasn't there last summer so I'm not sure where it came from. I know these windshelds are super hard to find in good shape and I want to preserve the windshield and keep the crack from getting worse. What do you recommend I do to keep this from happening? Wonder what caused it? It has sat in the back yard for the last 3 years uncovered.
 
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Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
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Here are some pictures of the boat in general and of the crack.
 

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damartinca

Cadet
Joined
Jul 7, 2016
Messages
8
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I have the same color combo and year without the hardtop. These windshields are known to crack and are called the "bubble of trouble." In fact, I'm in the process of having one made for me because you couldn't see through my old one. I believe these windshields crack because of the complex curve and the fact that either people, rest their hands on the frame when they get in and out of the boat or the stress of where the hardtop and softop connect to the frame cause the stress. It always seems to be in one or the other corner.

I had a crack and to stop it, I was told to drill a tiny hole at the very end of the crack so that it stops the traveling. You could also try some kind of liquid cement from a place like tap plastics to try and fuse it back to together. I did try that on a test piece and decided it was too messy and hard for me to do, so I just did the drill hole.

When they took my windshield out of the frame to try and make a mold, it pretty much kept shattering in pieces. If your boat is outdoors and you are experiencing freezing and hot temperatures, it was probably enough to grow a crack you probably didn't see or notice because it was inset into the frame.

Hope this helps!


Sincerely,
David
 

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Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
16
No Title

I have the same color combo and year without the hardtop. These windshields are known to crack and are called the "bubble of trouble." In fact, I'm in the process of having one made for me because you couldn't see through my old one. I believe these windshields crack because of the complex curve and the fact that either people, rest their hands on the frame when they get in and out of the boat or the stress of where the hardtop and softop connect to the frame cause the stress. It always seems to be in one or the other corner.

I had a crack and to stop it, I was told to drill a tiny hole at the very end of the crack so that it stops the traveling. You could also try some kind of liquid cement from a place like tap plastics to try and fuse it back to together. I did try that on a test piece and decided it was too messy and hard for me to do, so I just did the drill hole.

When they took my windshield out of the frame to try and make a mold, it pretty much kept shattering in pieces. If your boat is outdoors and you are experiencing freezing and hot temperatures, it was probably enough to grow a crack you probably didn't see or notice because it was inset into the frame.

Hope this helps!


Sincerely,
David



David,

Thank you for the prompt reply. I looked it over real well when I got it 3 years ago and never saw a crack. Since I've had it, it has been outside in the elements without a cover (yes I know that is my fault, and I didn't understand the importance until now). I feel like the elements caused the crack recently and I thought about drilling a hole like you said but wanted to hear that from someone else. What size drill bit did you use? I would like to do smallest possible of course.

Also, I feel like with the boat being in the elements for the last 3 years, it has caused the finish of the windshield (and the entire boat) to get more foggy and dull. Maybe it just needs a good cleaning, but look at the pictures and see for yourself. Two pictures are from 3 years ago when I first got it and pulled it out of the barn it was stored in for 30 years. The other two pictures are from last month, before and after its yearly cleanup. All of the pictures are labeled for easy reference.
 

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chevymaher

Commander
Joined
Mar 29, 2017
Messages
2,934
Auto glass shops do those kind of repairs. Jacks Glass around here does them. I would call around and ask.
 

Woodonglass

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 29, 2009
Messages
25,929
1/8" drill bit. Use some headlight buffing compound to get the Cloudiness out of the screen.
 
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