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-- Bertram 31 Flybridge Windshield Replacement --
This replacement windshield is not to be confused with a few other acrylic windshields that are also offered on the market.
All that I have seen are a flat design of the same general shape with the corners pre-bent for the wrap around. The center section has not been pre-formed. I've seen prices range between $250 and $400 for just the plastic. No one, to my knowledge, offers a replacement with the aluminum channel on the top.
The simplified drawing below shows the primary differences. Forming the flat replacement windshield is rather easily accomplished by heating and bending only the end sections. But the installation is harder because it has to be forced to the shape of the bridge curve. This forcing sets up stress points and the material's memory is constantly trying to pull back to the original shape.
On the other hand, the compound curved windshield installs quite easily and very little manipulation against memory, if any, is needed to make it fit. The compound cures also make for a more expensive molding process. The acrylic must be heated to a controlled temperature than draped over the mold and cooled. The template for the pre-cut acrylic blank has been corrected to allow for both shrinkage and dimensional changes that take place in contouring to the mold's X & Y axis.
Drape mold for the B31 flybridge windshield being built and fitted to an original. |
The first prototype from American Marine, 11/14/00. |
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