Broken Windshield Pane

[avpilot]

When trailering Ranger tugs, other than covering the windshield with the snap-on canvas cover, is there any other protection suggested for the windshield?

Last week in WA we took possession of Santolina, our new R25SC. After an informative orientation by Kenny and a short cruise in Puget Sound, we loaded the boat on its trailer and hauled it back to Texas. The evening before reaching home we opened the cabin to be greeted by shards of glass from a broken windshield pane. Hopefully, getting the window replaced will not be a problem.

The question arises, though, about protecting the windshield from a future repeat occurrence. For those who trailer their boats, do you use any additional window protection? Padding? A stiff layer between the canvas cover and the window?

A search of Tugnut threads did not produce any info on this topic. Maybe we were just unlucky and caught a stray rock that hit at exactly the wrong spot, or an unfortunate bird. No matter the cause, we would like to avoid this happening again.

Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R-25SC

 

[Favunclerich]

Gregg and Kathy,

Welcome to the Ranger Tugs family. So sorry to here about your broken windshield panel. I don't know what you hit, but it must have been pretty big and/or sharp. Personally, I've never broken any glass and have towed my R-25 over 10,000 miles with nothing over the windshield. In fact, I've never heard of this happening to anyone else who tows their boat.

I do suggest that, if you haven't already, you get a large set of mud/splash guards for your truck. I don't know if your broken glass was the result of something flung from your truck's rear tires, but they'll also help protect your gel coat.

As far as padding for the glass, I can't recommend anything. In fact, I suggest that you remove all canvas from the boat before trailering significant distances. A friend trailered his with his canvas on. The flapping from the wind pulled one snap completely out of the fiberglass. The sharp end of the flapping screw damaged his gel coat and fiberglass.

On a related note, my bimini was chafed when packed inside the boot during a road trip, and now I just remove it altogether and stow it below. It only takes an extra minute to take it off completely.

Again, sorry about your broken window, but it seems that you were very unlucky.

Rich

 

[avpilot]

Rich, thanks for the assurance that our broken windshield was a fluke. Indeed, it appears the object that hit the windshield was sharp/pointed, as evidenced by the pinhole prick in the cover. The strike was at the exact center of the pane - the most vulnerable location.

Your suggestion for mud flaps makes sense. As trucks get taller a larger "window of opportunity" exists to fling loose road debris up onto the hull.

Gregg and Kathy
Santolina, R25SC

 

[Don Cardinal]

I have a 21 classic that I trailer and also store on the trailer.
Last summer I had a full enclosure made for the aft deck. At the same time I had a tailoring cover made to cover the front and side windows of the wheel house. The cover is made of one piece of Sunbrella and lined with a white vinyl laminate that was sewed to the inside of the Sunbrella. This vinyl is tough stuff. It is also used in between the two layers of Sunbrella and Strataglass that make up my removable and roll up side curtains. This vinyl is used to add strength to prevent tearing, especially around snap fasteners.
I believe that our tugs are more prone to glass damage because of one of the very things that make it so appealing to us, "the vertical windows of the wheel house". No place for the energy of a flying rock to go but thru. Unlike the slanted windows on most of our autos that deflect most of the rocks. Also most rocks that are around to day are from crushed rock and have plenty of sharp edges. Another thing to consider is the fact that the front windows of the tug are higher than most of the tow vehicles. I also believe that the rock that hits your boat window is actually coming from the vehicles ahead of you or possibly from on coming traffic.
I have considered on any long hauls to put a pieces of foam rubber behind the window cover for added safety. This would be easy on mine since each front window is recessed and surrounded by teak trim.

A few other benefits to a towing window cover are.

Added privacy at a moorage,
Added security where ever you are since your toys are not visible thru those windows,
Helps keep sun and rain off my teak,
No dead bugs to clean off of windows after tailoring,
When tailoring in the rain a lot less 65 mph.water hits these windows'
When used at the moorage it keeps the sun off of inside furnishings,
If I'm just working on the boat I unsnap one side for some light inside, no need to get on the fore deck,
Etc.----

Smooth sailing
Don

 

[Sound Hound]

Greg & Cathy,
I saw this as a potential problem. Not just from road debris kicked up by my truck tires but from others that pass by. I don't like transporting with canvas to keep it clean. I went to the hardware store where they have the bubble wrap that has the reflective Mylar on both sides on big rolls similar to carpet or vinyl rolls. It is weather durable and reflects the sun to keep the interior cool while in storage. I used the canvas as a template and purchased snaps from a fabric store. It took me two hours to make. The fit was very snug and has survived a few hours on the road. I'm confident it will offer years of protection. I would also put mud flaps at the rear of your truck near the bumper to protect the gel-coat. Good luck. 😉

Keith & Brenda
Portland, OR