Hull windows delamination

I think the builders argument is since the glass window itself is not structural the integrity of the hull does not change whether the glass is in place or there is an open hole there.

Don't take it personally but I hope this becomes a widespread problem and designers have to drop these hull windows from the build sheet.

Agree. This is the not the first issue with the fashion for the crazy idea of "picture windows" in the hull sides. I would never buy a vessel with this feature. It screams future problems and I can't believe that some of the most respected brands are now joining in the "fad!"

I have seen this type på delamination on the cockpit windows of Boeing airliners. Usually not a structural problem if within "limits".
To keep track of how it progresses, use a black marker to trace the line of de-lamination and write the date next to it. Take a picture and repeat next month, etc.
If it was my boat I would demand new and improved windows

I've always hated those things, but apparently I'm in the minority since just about every McYacht being cranked out has barn door sized windows on the sides of the hull. Look great from inside the master stateroom, but not worth the potential 6 foot hole in the hull. IMO they aesthetically screw up the lines of the boat as well. I've heard they are "stronger than the fiberglass hull it's self". Um... Okay...

P.S. I have nothing productive to add to this thread. If it were my boat I'd replace em'.. or better yet lay up some fiberglass in that big hole. LOL

This seems counterproductive as last I heard fiberglass delaminates under less than ideal conditions of fabrication.

On the bright side... Looks like the tint film is coming off. Perhaps the builder just took and applied some glass on either side of tint film as a cost saving safety measure. Making it an easy warrentee fix... of laying up some fiberglass over the glass.

Was this supposed to be posted on the recent Bertram thread?

Got confused when they moved the Bertram thread... sorry. Was thinking about chopper gun spayup... not layup... with lots of extra karo syrup... as to all that sorry.

Is it actually delaminating? Your photo appears to show mostiure creeping in-between the glass lamination from around the edges. This is usually a result of failure of the window seal in which case it would be aesthetic only - as opposed to actual delamination of the glass.

Real safety laminated glass as used on windshields of automobiles does not delaminate from moisture intrusion....

Also, strengthened laminated glass will only delaminated by shear stress between the layers in certain temperature ranges... or depending on the temperature how much shear is required.
The type of shear is the kind you get from trying to twist the pane... or perhaps buckle it.

That shear induced failure mode of the bond indicates something is moving and causing the stress on the glass!

The comments about moisture intrusion can be perhaps where a coating or film has been applied to glass to toughen it at low temperature where the plastic is not heat bonded to the glass sub straight.

You might want to get someone like Ed Dubois who has a lot of experience in designing large glass windows on sailboats of the difficulties, challenges and costs of properly structured windows. And, its really hard to find companies that can do a proper job of larger curved and shaped pieces.

Also some reading up on modern glass based armors may be in order.

So are the Stainless Steel Port holes and hatches.
However, it is the fixings of these into the hulls where they will fail. How can any boat builder say that cutting a large hole into the hull side to add a feature, is as good as an unbroken hull side.