Changing from Canvas to Glass windshield

Hi,

How is the additional weight of the toughened glass and supporting hardware / equipment going to affect the handling of the yacht?

Aside from the additional weight, how is it going to effect the looks? I've seen more than a few SF where they converted them to glass windows on the bridge, and they just didn't look right.

Jhall

Do you have ez2cy or a carbonite in there now? My carbonites are pretty clear in the rain as long as they are clean. If you don't, you might want to do just the center panel as a test

Some of our local curtain/canvas shops have found alternative sources for clear acrylic that is MUCH less expensive than the EZ2CY product and appears to share the same characteristics. Granted there are plenty of enclosed bridge SF's running around but I'd be worried about shattering the glass panels if you ever were pushing that battleship to her limits.

You've got 3 flat panels on the bridge topped by 3 flat panels on the glass frame How do you plan to eliminate the bars between panels no matter what you use unless you build a new curved frame on top of your glass. EZ2CY could eliminate the canvas around the roll ups, but I think you're stuck with two frames of some type no matter what you do. I wouldn't go with glass as you'll probably roast in there on hot days without any air flow. With EZ2CY you'll be able to open the P & S front panels or the middle one, but I can't see any way to open all three as it doesn't bend.
One big plus to the isinglass you're currently using is that you can open it a few inches to allow airflow on hot rainy days. Sometimes it's better to go for functionality rather than esthetics.

Whichever way you go please remember to post pics of the finished project. Always loved the Striker look. This could be interesting.

With the lines on your boat and the size of the flybridge, it just won't look right. There isn't enough rake to get any kind of angle on the glass.

The older 44 Henriques has a nice looking Flybridge with a solid windshield and open back

Just as an FYI, they make a glass panel insert with an electric wiper mounted on it that you put into a soft or acrylic panel so you can see in the rain or heavy spray. I have run a couple boats with them and they work well.

Capt. Bill, That's very interesting. Do you happen to have any pics of that or a link?
Capt J, Must admit that was my first thought but you never know with the squared lines of a Striker. We've gotten used to the raked look, but there are advantages to the straight and especially the reversed rake windshileds. They shed water better, don't get as much reflection and don't cook the inside like a magnifying glass. There's lots of possibilities that won't seem good on first thought, but may come out looking and working very well. I look forward to seeing what the OP comes up with.

My set up is similar, and works very well. The middle panel can be unzipped its entire length at the bottom and sides. i can open just the bottom which offers a nice air flow when running. Similarly I have an "eyebrow" zipper about 30 inch long sewn in horizontally at the top of each of the other front panels that also can be opened to allow more airflow. Mine are sewn into a canvas panel that exists between the hardtop and the clear. This set up let's me adjust things in heavy rain very nicely to get an air flow but stay dry.

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Thanks Bill. It's a matter of taste I guess, but I really don't like the look of that at all. Seems the only purpose would be to use a wiper, and I'm not a big user of wipers.

I've run a boat that has had it. They work well and can be rain-x ed......

Understand, just prefer the look of all glass or all plastic (well polished).

I don't disagree on the ascetics of it. But I can live with that whens its raining and I can't see s&!t out of a soft plastic enclosure.