Installation of windscreen on the legendary boat Progress 2 It's not just a matter of aesthetics, it's a major improvement in the performance of the vessel. The owner of the aluminum hull knows very well that the open cockpit zone, when moving, creates a strong wind load, which interferes with management and comfort. windshield It becomes a necessary element for long walks on the water.
Choosing the right material and design directly affects crew safety. Standard solutions offered by factories do not always meet the needs of modern water engines, who are looking for a balance between strength and lightness. In this article, we will discuss in detail which glass is best for your car. ProgressHow to correctly calculate the dimensions and avoid common installation errors that can lead to leaks or destruction of the structure at high speed.
It is worth noting that the geometry of the zygomatic contours of this model dictates its own strict requirements for the shape of the protective screen. Incorrectly selected configuration can disrupt aerodynamics or even impair the visibility of the skipper at critical moments.
Types of materials for windscreen
The first thing that the owner faces when he wants to modernize his Progress 2The market offers several major options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, with its main competitors being tempered glass (triplex) and various types of transparent plastics, such as acrylic or polycarbonate.
triplex It's a laminated glass, glued together with a polymer film, which doesn't break into sharp shards when it hits, but cracks while it stays in the frame. For a boat where waves are likely to hit or crash into floating objects, it's a critical safety parameter.
⚠️ Note: The use of ordinary window glass (not tempered) on high-speed boats is strictly prohibited, since when destroyed, it turns into deadly shrapnel.
The second popular option is glass-glass It's much lighter than silicate, which is important for low-power motors, and easier to process, but acrylic is prone to scratching and can become cloudy over time under ultraviolet light if it doesn't have a protective coating.
Polycarbonate is stronger than acrylic and hardly beats, but it is softer and easier to scratch, and also has the property of turning yellow over time. Progress 2 It is important to consider not only the price, but also the operating conditions: if you walk on overgrown reed rivers, plastic can be risky because of the branches, and for large open waters, the triplex will be more reliable.
Optimal size and configuration
Boat geometry Progress 2 It requires a certain width of the cockpit, which dictates the dimensions of the protective screen. Standard practice is to make glass that covers the space from side to side, or with small gaps to the passage to the nose. The width of the work area is usually about 1400-1500 mm, but accurate measurements must be taken individually from your specimen.
Glass height also plays a role in aerodynamic protection: too low a glass will let air flow directly into the driver's face, reducing the sense of installation to zero, the optimal is the height, which in the sitting position covers the upper part of the torso, about 400-500 mm from the level of the deck or the transom jar.
Table of standard sizes for modifications Progress
Dimensions can vary depending on the year of manufacture and individual modifications to the case. Always take measurements at the installation site.
The configuration can be flat or bent. Flat glass is easier to make and replace, but bent (formed in an arc) is better at resisting wind load and has a more attractive appearance. Progress 2 Often make composite structures of two or three flat sections connected at an angle, which simplifies transportation and storage.
Comparison of material specifications
To make a final decision, you need to compare the technical parameters of the available materials. Below is a table that will help you weigh the pros and cons before buying or ordering components for your boat.
| Characterization | Triplex (Tempered) | Acrylic (Plexiglas) | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength of impact | High. | Medium | Very high. |
| Weight (kg/sqm) | ~25 kg | ~12 kg | ~12 kg |
| Resistance to scratches | High. | Low. | Low. |
| Difficulty processing | Just cutting (not bent) | It bends and cuts easily. | It's easy to bend. |
As the data shows, triplex wins in durability and transparency, but loses in weight. Acrylic and polycarbonate are easier to process at home, making them popular for self-tuning. ProgressBut it's worth remembering that plastic loses its transparency faster than glass over time.
For frequent trips at high speeds on large water, triplex is more important, and for quiet fishing in narrow rivers, light acrylic is suitable.
It is also important to consider the way the mounting is done: heavy glass will require a more powerful and stiff frame, while lighter plastics can be made with more sleek stainless steel or aluminum profiles.
Methods of attachment to the shell
Windscreen installation on Progress 2 It's a critical step, and it's not just the reliability of the structure, it's also the tightness of the cockpit, and there are several basic ways of fixing it: on removable racks, on rotary machines, or in a stationary configuration, depending on whether you plan to remove the glass for winter storage or trailer transportation.
The most common option is the use of stainless steel tube racks with a diameter of 20-25 mm. The racks are attached to the sides or deck through special brackets, and the glass itself is clamped between them or fixed with clamps. shock-absorbing from rubber or silicone, so that motor vibration and wave shocks are not transmitted directly to the glass, causing it to break down.
☑️ Check before installing the glass
Rotary structures use special loops to fold glass into the cockpit or onto the nose, which is convenient when moored in windy weather or when a full view is required during maneuvers, but such knots require regular maintenance and lubrication to avoid souring from salt water.
⚠️ Attention: When drilling holes in an aluminum case, be sure to use non-ferrous metal drills and treat the cuts with an anti-corrosion composition to avoid electrochemical corrosion.
Fixed mounting is often done with nooks and bolts passing through the side, in which case the quality of sealing is critical. Using only silicone sealant may not be sufficient for operation, so it is recommended to combine it with rubber seals.
Technology of self-manufacturing
If you decide to make glass on the Progress 2 You're going to need a precise pattern, and you're going to need to take a dense cardboard or a wattman and put it on the site of the future installation, and you're going to circle the contours of the side and the transom, and that's going to take into account all the irregularities and gradients of the zygomatic contours, which are pretty pronounced on this model.
When you're working with acrylic or polycarbonate, you can cut with an electrojigsaw with a small-toothed file or a special string, and you have to clean the edges of the cutting with sandpaper with a gradual reduction in grain, and then polish it with a felt circle with polished paste, which will restore transparency and remove microcracks that can become centers of destruction.
For triplex home processing is almost impossible without special equipment, so it is ordered to the ready size in the glass workshops, in this case, your task is to remove the dimensions as accurately as possible and indicate all the necessary holes for the fasteners in advance.
When polishing the edges of acrylic glass, use water for cooling so that the material does not melt and turbid from overheating.
The structure must be built on a level surface, first, the frame is assembled (if any), then the glass with gaskets is installed and the fastener is carefully tightened, and the uniformity of the tightening of the bolts is the guarantee that the glass will not burst from the voltage at one point.
Maintenance and operation of the structure
The installed glass requires regular maintenance, especially if you use plastic materials. Acrylic and polycarbonate should not be washed with aggressive chemicals containing ammonia or alcohol, as this leads to clouding and microcracks. Use only special means for washing plastic or ordinary soap solution and soft fabric.
Metallic elements of attachment, even if it is stainless steelSalt deposits can start the corrosion process even on quality metal, especially in welds or threaded joints.
Check the condition of the rubber seals regularly. Over time, the rubber blubbers and cracks, no longer performing its function. Progress 2 It's going to save you from leaking and rattling glass on the go, and it's also worth checking the tightening of the bolts, because vibration can weaken the connections.
What to do if the glass is scratched?
Small scratches on acrylic can be polished with a special paste, and deep damage on the triplex requires replacement of the glass, because its integrity is broken.
In winter, glass is better dismantled and stored in a warm room in a vertical position, which will prolong the life of both the material itself and seals, which in the cold can crack when deformed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I install glass from another boat on Progress 2?
Theoretically, you can do it if the dimensions are the same, but it's actually complicated. Kazan or Wind most likely will not stand up without a serious alteration of the fasteners and loss of tightness.
What is the best glass thickness for a 4-meter boat?
For triplex, the thickness of 5-6 mm is considered optimal. For acrylic or polycarbonate, to avoid the effect of "lens" and excessive flexibility in the wind, it is better to take a material with a thickness of at least 8-10 mm.
Do I need to tint the glass on the boat?
Thinning is useful for protection from glare and ultraviolet light, which reduces the fatigue of the skipper's eyes. However, too dark tinting worsens visibility in cloudy weather and at night, so it is better to choose light tinting or use removable curtains.
How to prevent glass from fogging from the inside?
There are special spray antiphogs for this, and good ventilation of the cockpit also helps, and homemade structures can provide small vents at the bottom of the glass or frame.