Windshield Needed 176 1998

Sounds like you just need the glass and not the frame, correct? I am quite certain that piece of glass was flat, so having something cut locally should be an option.

$5 says the glass is flat, and installed with a slight curve. Price it out locally if you can't get a part number... I bet Zach at n3 could help you out with that though.

Dont worry about flexing the glass... the factory didnt! The only curved panes I can think of on CC's are the rounded plexi ones used into the early 70's and the corner panels used on '93/94+ Ski and Sport Nautiques. Everything else is flat glass, installed with a slight curve. Im sure the 176 falls into this category. I have removed windshields from several- all are flat, despite how they look installed. Common misconception.

When you lay a 6 foot level horrisontal accross the two uprights, the bow in the glass measures 3 3/4 inches. I talked to the glass guys around Jaskson Hole and they said no way you can fex 1/8" safety glass that much. What year boat weere you flexing the glass on? The beam on a 176 is a foot smaller than a 196 so the flex is greater over a shorter distance. I will probably have to go custom glass unless I find someone parting out a 176. Thank you for all your input.

8122pbrainard wrote: A search would show up threads discussing flat glass being cured by the frame. Tim is correct.

TRBenj wrote: Hopefully you are getting your glass info from someone more knowledgable than your source of boat information-

Tell us more about were you are getting the info. Did you even bother to do some searching for threads about curving glass into the frame? I have a feeling you are talking to the wrong people and not listening to us.

Ill be back at my boat Monday morning (1996 176).

I can take a picture of the glass and at least confirm if there's a curve to it.

Hope that helps.

Chris

Water Bonnet and Taylor Made made the windshields for the 176. Same thing different manufacturers. That was when Water Bonnet was on their way out.

The process to make a piece of glass bend is to cut the glass to size and then temper the glass. You can't cut tempered glass but you can bend it. Every windshield from 1980-86 and 1989 ski/footer and 1990 footer were all flat pieces of glass that bent when installed. Like Tim's 90 1990-1993 Ski Nautique was also bent. I am betting they used this means of windshield because it was cheaper than making a nice curved piece of glass on a price point boat.

If your glass guys don't know of this process then you probably need to look at going with a different shop.

If it can't happen there is the outside chance I could have Correct Craft cut a piece of glass if they have the spec.(they still make the pane for the 82-86 Ski and the 90-93 Ski.

These are prone to break (case in point) because of the glass being bent instead of curved. The added pressure makes it more prone to breakage from impact.

The bend is so gradual that there is no special installation process needed. Of course, you need to remove the windshield from the boat and unscrew the frame, but Im assuming you already knew that.

    I was thinking of using 1/8" masonite to build a template leaving 1/8" gap all the way around inside the rubber moulding so I don't bind up. Having the glass manufacturer round the edges over a little before tempering might help in not slicing the moulding. I was also thinking of using silicone spray lubricant to help slide the rubber moulding into the aluminum channel.
    I did not know that you had to remove the entire frame from the boat to install the windshield but it makes good sense as the frame will aid in flexing the glass. Thank you. I was thinking automotive not marine.    You guys are great. Thanks for all your insight.    Michael

    So you didn't remove your frame from the boat, you just removed the top channel, splayed the side uprights out a little, and slid it in the rubber with some dish soap. My window is a trapazoid, narrower at the top, and my flex is about 3 3/4" out so I guess we will see what works best.   Thanks, Mike

Keep in mind Mike that Taylor Made didn't have a boat when they put it all together. When I did mine I used two horses and a sheet of plywood to make a bench and covered that with a couple of Harbor Freight moving blankets.IMO doing it on the boat is an invitation for disaster---