Custom Boat Window Replacement Planning

Custom boat window replacement.
Custom boat window replacement.

INTRODUCTION

Damaged boat windows are a pain, but replacing them doesn’t have to be.
We put together a quick guide to help make sourcing your new custom boat window easier.
Planning in advance will help you pick the right material, organize parts, locate shipping materials and more.

 

BOAT WINDOW TYPES
Common windows you might find on a boat are:
  – Domes (Square, Triangle, Rectangle and more)
  – Hatches
  – Portholes
  – Skylights
  – Stainless Steel Brackets
  – Windows
  – Windshields

 

BOAT WINDOW MATERIAL

 Generally, boat windows are made of either:
  – Acrylic/SAR Acrylic
  – Polycarbonate/AR Polycarbonate

 

ACRYLIC

Acrylic windows can easily last 10-15 years, but often we see acrylic boat windshields that have been in service for 30-40 years.
Cleaning acrylic custom boat windows is much easier due to it’s harder surface.
Unfortunately, acrylic breaks easier because the material is stiffer and more dense than Polycarbonate.

 

POLYCARBONATE
Polycarbonate is more flexible and harder to break than acrylic, however it scratches much easier.
Scratch-resistant materials like SAR Acrylic and AR Polycarbonate do not bend.
Scratch-resistant materials are typically available for your custom boat window, for an added cost.
Turn-around times are 3-4 weeks.

 

CUSTOM BOAT WINDOW MATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  MATERIALS
    We covered custom boat window materials earlier but to recap:
      – Boat windows are normally made of acrylic or Polycarbonate
      – Acrylic lasts longer than Polycarbonate and is easier to clean but breaks much easier
      – Boat windows can be coated with scratch-resistant / hard-coating. We offer these add-ons.
  COLORS
    Colors come in many options but some are harder to source than others.
    Discontinued colors always come up.
    If you can’t find your color we can help create a close enough color that matches what you want.
    Gray colors tend to hold better over time.
    Bronze colors often change faster in the sun.
    Acrylic custom boat windows last longer than Polycarbonate.

REMOVING YOUR OLD WINDSHIELD

  Take photos of your old boat window before you start unbolting.
  Photos will help you remember how to put it back together.
  Hardware is hard to find, be careful with brackets and eye bolts, you may not be able to find new hardware that matches the old hardware.
  New stainless-steel nuts and bolts are easy to find on the web or at your local hardware store.
  If you need normal nuts and bolts McMaster.com will have anything you should need.

Original boat window before replacement.
Original boat window before replacement.

PREPPING YOUR OLD WINDSHIELD

  1.   Clean your window. Write your name and phone number on the window with a permanent marker.
  2.   Remove all the broken glass from the frame. If the plastic is broken, keep and send all the pieces you can find.
  3.   If you are can’t deliver the frame in person, sometimes you can cut the windshield in half to save on freight to your fabricator.
  4.   Consider sending your fabricator a photo to ask where to cut the windshield before you cut your window.
  Your fabricator should mark up your photo and send it back to you (if their as nice as we are :p )

PREPPING YOUR OLD WINDSHIELD: CAVAEATS

  FRAMES
  •   If you can’t remove the boat windshield from the frame, ask if you send the window in the frame.
  •   Removing a frame can take 30 minutes to 2 hours or more.   We can removing the frame for you if need, get a price quote.
  •   If you dent or kink your frame is dented, be advised they can’t be removed all the time.
  •   A good fabricator should be able to get the kink or dent straight enough to get the new window back in the frame.
  •   If you have a frame and gasket, send your fabricator the frame and gasket.
  HOLES
  •   Be aware that you will need to drill holes in your custom boat window.
  •   Your fabricator should provide a drill bit designed for drilling acrylic.
  •   If you dent or kink your frame is dented, be advised they can’t be removed all the time.
  •   A good fabricator should be able to get the kink or dent straight enough to get the new window back in the frame.
  •   Polycarbonate doesn’t need a special drill bit. We offer drill bits with all custom boat windows.

SHIPPING
  Typically, old boat windows and parts can be shipped in cardboard or wooden crates.
  Remember to make your box big enough to be used to return to your new custom boat window to you.

WRAP-UP

  Planning your custom boat window project is fulfilling, saves time, money and energy.
  Not only will your new boat window make your outings more enjoyable, they will be safer.
  Have fun!
  If you get hung-up or have questions, Bell Plastics can help you figure it out. Call us at (510) 784-1111, we’re here to help!