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Is 1/4 acrylic (plexiglass) adequate for a windshield approximately 24"x 26"

I think it will work fine as long as it's supported on all sides. If there is a free edge it may flex to much.

Bill

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Mini -Tug, KH Tahoe 19 & Bartender 24 - There can be no miracle recoveries without first screwing up.
Tahoe 19 Build

Hey Denzil.

Great to hear from you...

would tempered glass be more scratch resistant?

Maybe ping Butch Barto. He is a glass guy. I am sure he would have good advice for you on the pros and cons.

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Bruce.

~~ Do what you love, and love what you do. ~~
~~ To me - only my boat is not yet perfect. Everybody else's is to be admired for I know the path they have walked (Dave Lott, 2010) ~~
Dow's Monaco Project

Thanks Bill and Bruce. I looked into getting tempered glass the best quote I have had so far is $135.00 for one piece, I can get 4 pieces of plexi for that much. The plexi will be supported on all sides. I am close to getting her wet so I am saving all my money for gas. I am discovering at this juncture that the finishing touches do add up quickly, eg a single trumpet horn $84.oo.
Cheers
Denzil

_________________
) Champagne dreams and wishes are possible on a beer budget. Just build the boat.
Nice curves are easy on the eyes.
Go sell crazy somewhere else we're all stocked up here."As Good As It Gets" Jack Nicholson.

I used 1/4" plexi in my boat for the sake of saving some money while getting the boat in the water and had no problems for three years. Just be mindfull of cleaning it with freshwater and a clean chamois so that you do not scratch it when you come in and you should be fine for several years. Do not fit the glass too tight in the fixed locations. I create a small bead of caulk around the edges while allowing the plexi to rest on small finish nails tacked slightly in that creates the space needed for floating the glass until the caulk cured in place. Then just pull them back out. I also scuffed up the area in which the quality caulk will bond to the glass. Mark it when you are dry fitting it and score the paper and remove that area but leave the bulk of the paper or film on the glass unitl you get the glass installed and even bedded in place in the fixed locations. This keeps the glass from getting soiled or scratched up until you are done with the installation.


You can also get by with those handheld air horns too for a while, much cheaper. Thousands of sailboats have traveled millions of miles with them, even the ones that you blow with your mouth too.

Someone on here suggested used windshield glass from a junkyard that deals in motor homes and semi trucks for a good deal.....some of those use flat glass

I also found that a conch-shell horn is louder than the portable air horns....that's what we used on the sailboat

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Yes tempered glass is pricey. Even more so if it is irregular shapes. The five window glasses for the Titan cost me $529.
And keep in mind you cannot cut tempered glass after it's tempered.
Laminated glass can be cut if you know how...think you have to dissolve the film in between the glass panels as you cut.

If you are going to bed plexi in a frame, make sure you mask all areas you don't want covered with compound...makes clean up a lot easier.

Doug
Painting the hull today

So conch shell horn or canned horn, those are my choices but I do like the look of the trumpet mounted on the hard top. Warren posted a link to a yacht junkyard in my neck of the woods that has some horns I may explore that possibility. OK so I am sold on Plexi, Thanks Oyster for the tip on spacing the glass. Which sealant did you use?, it seems that silicone is my only option. I just got done installing a stereo and a mirror ball party time. It's so close I can barely contain myself from jumping the gun and going out "half assed" without getting all the legal stuff, and the other safety stuff, like fire extinguishers.Is there a specific marine type extinguisher that is recommended. Well back to work, it does get in the way doesn't it
Cheers
Denzil

_________________
) Champagne dreams and wishes are possible on a beer budget. Just build the boat.
Nice curves are easy on the eyes.
Go sell crazy somewhere else we're all stocked up here."As Good As It Gets" Jack Nicholson.

Yes Denzil, you need a Coast Guard approved marine type....I believe the difference is in the mounting brkt,but the rules state different types and quantities for different size and type boats

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

If plastics are acceptable why not investigate polycarbonate sheet? GE's version is LEXAN but others also make it, it is extremely strong and flexible.