Blown Out Windshield - 353 Fastech
 

As many of you know, we had our windshield blow out during the Ray Nuchereno Poker Run in Buffalo this past weekend. We were running 30 mph in 6' or so seas and had one come over the bow. The windshield exploded, sending two of us to the hospital for stitches. All are ok now. I think the frame may have flexed inward, causing the glass to shatter in our faces.

I need a solution -

My question is what suggestions do you have to prevent this from happening again? Does anyone have a picture of a Fastech without a windshield? How do you minimize wind? Is there a cut down version available or plexiglass version available? I could tint it, which would at minimum reduce the flying glass, but I think I need a better solution than that.

Thoughts and ideas appreciated.

What about aero-tech window not made of glass?

Look into ballistic film with any glazer in your area. Its frequently used in commercial applications.

I think the chances of that happening again are slim. I think going for a stock replacement and doing a coating from 3m would be a safe bet. They make a optically clear protective film that protects you on impact. It just holds all the little pieces together. I met you on the lake and your the one that told me about the sun shade you had. How all is well and a speedy recovery for all of you.

certainly not the windshield's fault! If you plan on regularly taking ~1000 lbs. of effective impact on your windscreen, I'd have to say glass just isn't for you!

if you replace it with glass, definitely film it, and yes, even tint will greatly minimize what you experienced.
Formula destroyed the fairing mold long ago. I've said more than once if they re-tooled one, they could sell quite a few! Just for aesthetics!
The fairing looked incredible on the 353!

I think Dan / Team Archer made a fairing for a Formula he had in the shop. I don't know any of the details though, I think it might have been pretty involved in his case. I'd ask him about it.

We were at the run, but didn't see the accident. Glad to hear you are all doing OK now. Speedy recovery!

I would be looking at tinting or the film route. I don't think a different windshield/fairing set up is the solution.
Think about it. What are the odds of that exact scenario happening again? The lake was ROUGH.

Unless you plan on regularly running in water like we had - and I don't think you do - the windshield with tint or film should be sufficient. I just think a lot of things happened just the right way, and thats why it broke like it did.

Glad you guys are doing well, that was a scary hour or so not knowing how you guys were. If it was up to me I would try to get some sort of a fiberglass fairing made up. The acrylic is also very sharp when it breaks and has cut others when it has broken. Plus the fairing looks really cool and makes going to the bow a little bit less effort. Seems Lake Erie has been mean the last 5 or 6 runs (other then mentor) that Tony has put on.

3M makes a film product that they marketed in London, UK to minimise flying glass injuries. I believe it was called scotchshield.

Yup.

3M? Scotchshield? Safety & Security Window Films, Ultra Series for Commercial

f2 style

Thanks guys. All good points. Like most accidents, it was a combination of random factors that caused it and agreed, I don't plan to run regularly in water liker that. However, I think I need to do something to improve what I have. I like both the fairing and the Scotshield suggestion. That video says it all. The fairing seems complicated, but looks pretty cool.

I know someone that can make it out of something like Lexan, a buddy had the same thing happen as you and used this solution, PM me I can get his number

Don't use Lexan. When it breaks it doesn't go to Little pieces. When it breaks it goes to machetes
Im saying as in a stock glass replacement. Getting a custom one made would be great. But Big $$$

Just my 2 cents but look at the way the windshields are made on the fastech. There are no supports from the frame back to the hull on the curved part. I almost dropped the glass out of 271 fastech in the ocean from the frame flexing like mad. Its a design issue

F-2 style fairing. Glassdave winter project!

Race fairing like on the 382 raceboats- I sent Alexa a photo.

This is when it happened, right?

https://scontent-iad3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...8c&oe=5A2C4D55

Yep..

Wow, glad injuries were semi minor, scary stuff!

If you find a race faring I would be interested also!

With the area and the speed added to the desnity of the water (and the amount of water) there is little that is going to protect the panels from breaking.

That being said, Aero Marine can make you a replacement panel for the one you've lost. 909-350-3543

We were glad to hear that you two were going to be ok. It's never a good feeling when you see a safety boat speeding away from the doc in haste. We came close to stuffing the bow a couple times on our 36 that day. Did do it at Eerie run two years ago and we got soaked.

Yes, that's when it happened. In the photo sequence you can see the pieces of glass flying everywhere.

Again, sorry to hear about the incident, but glad everyone is ok.

Couldn't see the pics here - but just saw them on Instagram - Wow! Glad you guys will recover!

How do you get a pic like that? The exact time it happened.

The helicopter for poker run was running with us at that time...

For those of you with a Fastech -

I think what might have happened is the frame flexed, causing the panes to bend inward like a a deck of cards would if you tried to shoot them across a room. I get the deign aesthetics of the wrap windshield with no support, but it seems to me that the frame needs a support at the center to avoid flex. Especially if you think about how you get on the bow from the cockpit. You step on a storage compartment, then the glove box and then over the windshield, while you put your hands on the frame. Hundreds of reps may have loosened it. I'm going to look into fabricating a strut that bolts into the top of the dash and then the frame.

On the other hand, the power of water is awe inspiring and perhaps nothing could prevent this.

You aren't kidding. A few years ago in a relatively minor hurricane I was shocked at the way the water picked up rocks from a sea wall and redistributed them into my neighbors living room.

Glad youre okay.

Well, we now know that Hurricane's political affiliation.

Matt, is there any difference in the structure of the standard windshield frame vs the stainless one Formula offers on some boats? Just a thought...

brian,

i had to read that 3 times before I got it. You need to dumb your jokes down for me......

Sorry about your incident, did that run with KellyO a few years ago and that lake can get downright nasty.

Take a look at some of the newer Fountains with the full curved windshield, there is a center support leg that you might be able to adapt to your Formula. Fountain used several different sizes based on the height of the windshield. My 35 Lightning has the taller windshield and I would think it is similar in height to the one on your boat. If a picture is of help do not hesitate to ask, be glad to help.

Thanks Ragged. Please post a picture.That would be helpful. Performance Marine is going to do the repair, so I'll ask Jason about it. I'm going to look into stainless vs.the standard windshield as well. Working with the insurance company, but it's like molasses..

Hard part for the support is the cabin door, Fountain has the door to port side with solid dash in center...

Sorry to hear of your mis-fortune and glad to hear everyone is ok.

used to have a 292 and honestly was never impressed with the construction of the windshield. It was always flexing and getting bounced around in decent water. Another area to be considerate of is the rear attachment location. On our boat the screws constantly sheared from flexing and movement. I'd be mindful of it when getting the work done.

I have never had any issue whatsoever with the WS on my 353. Solid as a rock.
I do check the frame top screws every now and then over 14 years and have seldom gotten anything on them
Though the closest I've come to stuffing is a few inches rolling up the deck in Lake Ontario
I've been out when the trough is so deep I can't see over standing and I'm 6'5"
I have actually been quite impressed, when operated reasonably, how seaworthy it is.