windshield material

[lbhsbz]

The little windshield on my Lavey has seen better days...Lavey referred me to a guy who wanted $800 or so to make a new one, which seems a bit much...the thing is 4" tall.

I started doing some research and it seems most are made from Acrylic, not Lexan. Does anyone know why? My experience with acrylic is that it's brittle and much easier to break then Lexan.

 

[shunter2005]

You are correct. Acrylic is generally easier to work with than polycarbonate (Lexan). You can bend and form acrylic to the shape you want with heat, which is much harder to do with Lexan. You can take a piece of Lexan and bend it to touch at each end, release it and it will to snap back to it's original position. However, Lexan will scratch much easier than acrylic.

I found a place here in Texas that will make a new windshield for my 270 for $600, so $800 isn't all that bad. You might check with a place caled "The Plastics Guy. They made a set for a 240 last year and did a great job.

 

[Yellowboat]

I would not recomend acrylic as it is brittle and prone to cracking the cost difference is not that much.

 

[LazyLavey]

Many years ago I used to use acrylic or lexan windows in campers shells.

Acrylic was repairable (minor scratches) wth compound and polish but could get brittle with age and could crack if hit with a hard object

Lexan was almost impossible to repair scratches, but.... you could beat it with a hammer

I assume those qualities still apply today?

 

[MeCasa16]

There is a guy out of Santa Ana. I have seen his work in the Eliminator boat owners group. He will make windshields for any boat. Primo Martinez 714-577-0632

A 21’ Daytona windshield is quoted for $450. It’s probably worth a call for your Lavey
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[lbhsbz]

Contemplating lexan or just a piece of 1/8" aluminum anodized UV resistant black.

 

[cofooter]

Taylor Made made a lot of windshields for production boats, may want to see if they have the specs for your boat.....

 

[SoCalZero]

Great prices and quality.