My Windshield Exploded

[beast8812]

Over the weekend one of the pane's of glass on my windshield exploded. I have two questions. What might have caused this? We hit a decent size wave, but it definitely wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It's a 98 Maxum bowrider so it has the windshield that opens, and we had the windshield open but I don't think that's what caused the issue. The open part doesn't hit the the windshield even when if I try to slam it or put a bunch of pressure on it. So i'm trying to figure out if I have a major issue or if I was just unlucky. My second question is what is the cheapest way to repair this. I saw there are some companies that can make custom glass. Does anyone have experience with any of these companies? Thanks for any help.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Which part of the glass broke? I'm assuming passenger side, you would be suprised how much that hinged section can flex the frame if you leave it open when the boat gets pounded.

 

[beast8812]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Yea it was the passenger side. The large piece of curved glass.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Yea it was the passenger side. The large piece of curved glass.

Bummer. In the future, don't travel in heavy waves with the windshield open. Depending on the year/model of your Maxum, you may also be able to bayliner windshields. I'd start out by searching ebay.

 

[beast8812]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Its a 98 maxum 2300 sr, so far on ebay I haven't found an exact match. Hopefully I can find a compatible bayliner windshield

 

[Chris1956]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Windshields are often tempered. If you hit a piece of tempered glass with a hammer, the first time the hammer bounces off. The second time you hit it the glass breaks into quarter-sized pieces. Is that what you saw?

 

[beast8812]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

We just hit a wave and it shattered. I didn't see anything outside of the norm and then it just broke into pieces. Some pieces were as large as about my hand, while some pieces were the smallest shards of glass you can even imagine.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

The part number for the port windshield for your boat is "63665-XF. Look at the starboard windshield to see if it has a manufacturers stamp somewhere on it. Chances are it was made by Taylor Made. Or take that part number to a local Sea Ray or Bayliner dealer and see if they can still get it.

 

[roscoe]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Contact Taylor Made Systems, they are likely the original manufacturer of the windshield.


REPLACEMENT OR SERVICE PARTS and
** ALL DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER INQUIRIES **

CUSTOMER SERVICE: 518-773-0636

If you are a boat owner, marina, service yard, or other
non-O.E.M. customer (i.e. not the manufacturer of the original boat), please call the number above for the fastest service.

Or... Fax: 518-773-2919 / Email: tms@taylormadesystems.com

 

[beast8812]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Thanks for the info guys. I will shoot Taylor Made Systems an email and see what they can do.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Never run your boat with that window open. Could be that when you have it closed, it adds some extra rigidity to the entire window structure or when it is open, can add stress to the frame on the passenger side.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Boats are more flexible than some people think, could be the boat flexed when it hit the wave, and combined with the center windshield possibly twisting a bit, that may have twisted the glass enough to cause it to go.

And sometimes tempered glass just plain breaks. Back in 1975 I was working for Budget rent-a-car, and in the middle of the afternoon one day, the back window of a Cordoba just went kablooie, glass flew everywhere. I can't imagine a Cordoba is THAT airtight, and it was only around 80? that day, it was pretty strange. The glass guy just said "it happens".

 

[jayhanig]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

And sometimes tempered glass just plain breaks. Back in 1975 I was working for Budget rent-a-car, and in the middle of the afternoon one day, the back window of a Cordoba just went kablooie, glass flew everywhere. I can't imagine a Cordoba is THAT airtight, and it was only around 80? that day, it was pretty strange. The glass guy just said "it happens".

I was cutting the grass one day on my riding lawn tractor when I noticed a police car parked across the street had its back window completely shattered. I didn't know what to think: was there a dead officer? I called 911 and reported it. The cops came from the neighbor's back yard and looked at it with some concern.

Later the thought occurred to me that my mower probably slung a piece of gravel from the edge of my driveway and it might have been my fault. Since I couldn't be sure, I kept the thought to myself. It seemed like the thing to do.

 

[NYBo]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

We just hit a wave and it shattered. I didn't see anything outside of the norm and then it just broke into pieces. Some pieces were as large as about my hand, while some pieces were the smallest shards of glass you can even imagine.

If the glass was properly tempered, there should have been no large or jagged pieces.

 

[britisher]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Do you have boat insurance? Does it have windshield coverage like with a car?

 

[Grub54891]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Seen a couple parked cars with the rear window exploded over the yeaes. Must be the heat. Yours probbaly due to flex,and stress. The rubber that holds it in place is just that,it protects the edges but can't stop it from lateral stress.
Hope ya get it resolved easily.
Grub

 

[Chief9]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

I just ordered a replacement windshield for our boat through the dealer, manufactured by Taylor made. $554 for the glass, $150 or packaging, with an undetermined freight charge. Ouch!!

 

[beast8812]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

If the glass was properly tempered, there should have been no large or jagged pieces.

Thats what I thought also. But there were tons of tiny pieces of glass. I do have boat insurance but I was trying to avoid using that. I sent an email to taylormade yesterday. Waiting to hear back from them.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

I just ordered a replacement windshield for our boat through the dealer, manufactured by Taylor made. $554 for the glass, $150 or packaging, with an undetermined freight charge. Ouch!!

So...going to keep your center window closed underway now?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: My Windshield Exploded

Thats what I thought also. But there were tons of tiny pieces of glass.

That's tempered glass.