Windshield Replacement Progress

[Vince Luciani]

Ok guys the warm weather finally arrived and allowed me to make some good progress on my replacement windshield. Below are some photos. I am not going to say that the project has been easy, but it has gone relatively smoothly. My costs to date are approximately $700 and that includes the side window replacement work. I do have a good number of manhours invested. If I had to guess it would be in the neighborhood of about 80 -100 hours. I am in the homestretch and hope to finish painting in the next two weeks. My plan is to simply cleanup the interior this year so I will probably leave only primer. Next year I plan to do the interior and will paint the inside.
This is an alternative that saves some money (depending upon how you value your own labor cost LOL!). However, I don’t want to sway anyone to go this route thinking they can save a ton of money. You have to earn the savings because it’s not exactly easy work. I am simply putting this out there on the site, because I know myself how much I like to see other guy’s project photos.
I am extremely pleased with the results, but I will say that my shoulders are still sore from the longboarding!

Cut out and supported frame one section at a time

[Vince Luciani]

Cut out and supported frame one section at a time

Epoxy into place Prefabricated Section


Other Side

[Vince Luciani]

All Sections installed

Glass Joints

Fairing Process

[Vince Luciani]

First Coat of Primer


Some Photos of Inside


Homemade Longboard

[Whaler1777]

Do you have any bolts holding this thing in or are you relying on only the glass to keep it in?

[Vince Luciani]

I've got about 30 screws (1/4") from underneath into the new sections. Same screw holes wher the existing aluminum frame was screwed. Also, I have about 10 or 12 drilled on an angle thru the top edge of the new glass sections into the boat. They are glassed over so you can't see them. Also, the bottom joint is glassed both inside and outside (one layer of 1708) and the top joint will be glassed on the inside only.

[Bob H.]

Vince I for one appreciate the investment of labor in a project...Nice job..im having flashbacks with that longboard pic...I would take a handful of advil before I went to work with that monster. The results speak for themselves..keep up the good work..BH

[Vince Luciani]

Bob,

Thanks for the kind words! I know that what I lack in skills I make up for with pit bull determination. As I am sure you can relate, it's just so rewarding to do these projects. What's scary to me is that I am getting to the point where I get almost as much out of doing projects on the boat as fishing on it. Notice I said ALMOST (LOL).

By the way, your project is awesome. It looks like it's going to be quite a battlewagon. Good Stuff!

Vince

[CaptPatrick]

You're doing good Vince! Nothing takes the place of pride in yourself for a good outcome of a self done accomplishment...

[Joe E]

Nice Vince, I can feel your pain. I have been long boarding for the last three weeks. It's such a good feeling seeing the project take shape. Joe

[Vince Luciani]

Capt. Pat and Joe, you are so right! Capt Pat, should take a little pride here also. It's because of you and this site that amateurs like me can accomplish such things.
Sincere thanks,

Vince

[John F.]

Nicely done. That looks like a lot if time spent planning and working hard---really hard.