TOPIC: Windshield questions

So, I'm new to these old boats and have a 14' 1963 Renken.
It came with a very brittle and yellow plexi winshield. As luck
would have it I came across a 56 Thunderbird windshield that
is a pretty darn good fit. Will I have any problems using a
glass windshield? Any advice on mounting it? I was planning
on just bending up some aluminum channel to frame it, any
ideas or advice on that?

Here's the original

If you are bending aluminum, try making a cardboard template to use a guide when bending, then test-fit to the glass.

Some have had success restoring their plexiglass windshields: www.fiberglassics.com/restoration/windshield-101-shining-up-that-old-windshield

the glass windshield may crack from vibration and the lack of flexibility
that the plexi has.

Looks like the windshield itself will work. If you can get a frame around it that's better. Mounting it on the boat is will take some field engineering. The mounting will have to be very flexable and forgiving to the twisting and pitching of the bow area. If you ever saw a automobile glass break it's not a pretty site. Tiny little pieces of glass almost explode. It'll be interesting to see how you approach this, keep us posted.
Cal

Thanks for the replies.
I have some ideas, I'll
post up pics when I get
it together.

So, the original windshield is cracked . yellow and just cruddy.

I got this 55(?) Thunderbird windshield for free on Craigslist.

I'm gonna set it the other way for a sleaker look,
and better airflow behind the wheel.

The first thing I notice is the big gap under the glass.

So, it had to be filled.....

As long as the windshield is Off I might as well squirt some fresh paint on the boat...

Hardware removed....

All masked up...

Meanwhile, I was reshooting all the white stuff in the back...

Now I have to start concentrating on the framework of the windshield....
That's the original gasket, I'm gonna recycle it.

Here it is siliconed on....

Now, Everyone who get's in the boat naturally grabs the top of the windshield
for support, Myself included. So I am going to build the frame out of steel.

Here I've marked out the two pieces of channel I'm gonna use.
It was an old supprot for a piec of printing equipment.

Here it is cut down and marked up....

Bendy....

Taking shape...

Welded up...

Ground down...

Made some gussetts...

Now, You'll notice the boat has been painted at this point.
Sorry for forgetting to shoot pics.

Mocking up the mounts...

Mud.

Smooth.

Paint.

Hardware.

Mounted.