broken windshield

[woodfish24]

The driver side windshield of my 2001 Pro V Lund exploded last week. The window frame is also damaged. The first quote came in at $2000 and a 6 week wait for parts.

Any recommendations on locating parts and service to fix this would be greatly appreciated.

[obryan214]

did you hit something? is this something you'd be able to fix yourself? windows in houses are pretty simple but never touched a boat windshield.

[woodfish24]

It is a curved windshield so no window shops or body shops. it requires removing the dash just to get at the reverse screws that hold the frame.

Do not break your windshield on your boat, especially if it is a walk through and curved.

[MotoBoat]

It is a curved windshield so no window shops or body shops. it requires removing the dash just to get at the reverse screws that hold the frame.

Do not break your windshield on your boat, especially if it is a walk through and curved.

Rocks kicked up from the tow vehicle has crossed my mind. Especially on looooong dirt roads, like entering Jameson from the south (?)

I have found numerous pebbles on the boat floor, after traveling that road! Had the boat since 1993. But just recently ( a year or two ago) discovered the pass through window to the open bow area, is plexiglass! Has held up very well, considering it is at least 20 years old.

Is there boat insurance, and therefore a deductible to numb the sting of repair cost? If the repair quote sounds a bit steep. Call the boat manufacturer for a replacement cost of the part. That would give an idea of what percentage is part mark up, and labor cost.

I've had to adjust the window frame on the passenger side, for a better fit of the window opening on a lund. This had back to back sleeper seats. I did not remove the seat, but in hind sight that would have made for much more pleasant access to the bolts. It was just like working under the dash of a car or truck, with the seat in the way. Awkward, and uncomfortable.

If your seats are the pedestal type, that would improve access greatly. There is likely one or more windshield bolts hidden behind the side panel. That is time consuming if not reachable without removal. Even if reachable, those are loosened and tightened by braille (can't see them, going at it blindly).

[woodfish24]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

The final bill will be $3200 including parts and installation. You cannot buy direct from the window manufacturer or the boat company. Everything but the installation has to travel through the specified (Lund) boat dealer.

Yes I have insurance but I was informed that my premiums will probably go up because of a my fault claim.

[MotoBoat]

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

The final bill will be $3200 including parts and installation. You cannot buy direct from the window manufacturer or the boat company. Everything but the installation has to travel through the specified (Lund) boat dealer.

Yes I have insurance but I was informed that my premiums will probably go up because of a my fault claim.

It is not possible to order the part through a Lund dealer, walk up to the counter, pay, and walk out with it? Is the part not available through Lund, must be custom made?

$3200 for the repair, that's incredible. What's your thought with going ahead with the repair?

I will ping (pm) another member to see what options are available, and the repair cost is inline.

[woodfish24]

Yes you can order from a Lund dealership and get the parts. It is a custom made product from Taylor Made Accessories but you cannot order from them, they only deal with corporations. So the dealership orders from Lund, Lund orders from Taylor Made and everyone gets their share.

You cannot just replace the driver side windshield, you have to replace the passenger side and walk through as well to assure a proper fit. That is according to the Lund dealership. I was also informed that even though Taylor Made makes the component to match your hull vin number it still may not fit and the installation budget has to allow for the extra labor to make it fit.

[MotoBoat]

If the extra labor, included in the bid is not required to fit the windshield. Is it reimbursed to you? To bad there isn't a boat wrecking yard, with the part sitting in it.

[Bodofish]

http://getaboatwindshield.com/need_to_r ... windshield

[MotoBoat]

Is your windshield glass or plexiglass?

[Bodofish]

http://getaboatwindshield.com/need_to_r ... windshield

After they responded with we make windshields for all Lunds, I saw they don't do glass. I spotted a couple other windshield mfgs that say they make any kind of windshield you need. It's not the first time this question has come up, have you checked the archives? I know there's a lot of companies out there that make custom windshields, too many boat companies come and go for there not to be a thriving business. Great Lakes Skipper has lots of Lund and other parts, have you checked them?

PS: What they want to replace it is just short of highway robbery. All boat dealers have sunk to a new low with that one.

[hewesfisher]

Yes you can order from a Lund dealership and get the parts. It is a custom made product from Taylor Made Accessories but you cannot order from them, they only deal with corporations. So the dealership orders from Lund, Lund orders from Taylor Made and everyone gets their share.

You cannot just replace the driver side windshield, you have to replace the passenger side and walk through as well to assure a proper fit. That is according to the Lund dealership. I was also informed that even though Taylor Made makes the component to match your hull vin number it still may not fit and the installation budget has to allow for the extra labor to make it fit.

Do you have a claim history (filed other claims on your boat) with your insurance company? If not, file the claim, that's why you pay for insurance. Ask your agent what your premium might increase to if you file a claim, $10, $15, $20/mo? Is it worth saving a couple hundred per year to save the repair cost less your deductible?

I'd gladly pay a couple hundred $$ more per year in premium if it meant saving $2700 (assuming you have a $500 deductible) out of pocket for the repair. No claims in 3 to 5yrs and your premium should drop to where it is now. At 5yrs you still come out $1500 ahead if your premiums went up $20/mo (20*12*5 = $1200). Your break even point with a $20/mo increase in premium is 11.25 years. Find out, do the math, and decide. Me, I'd file the claim and move on.

As to not being able to buy the parts, since it is a special curved glass you're limited to source for replacement and it is indeed true that a wholesaler may only sell through authorized dealers, happens all the time. Hope you never buy a Leer canopy for a truck, they do the same thing, and their customer service sucks. Been there, done that.

Although I have experience in auto body work, and automotive glass, I tend to steer away from things not in my area of expertise. Not saying a boat windshield is a problem area, but some things just have to be done by people with a specific skill set. From your description of the part source and potential fit issues, this would indeed be best left to a Lund dealer and properly trained techs with the skill set to do the job. The downside is labor is probably in the neighborhood of $85 - $100/hr and the shop gets flat rate time plus additional if needed, nothing you can do about that. Flat rate, or book rate, is what you will be charged whether it takes less time or not. No different than when you take your car to the shop, same thing happens there too.

Since the glass manufacturer states the glass may require fitting to your boat, the only option is to charge additional labor to properly fit the glass. This time should not be charged in advance, but clearly stated on the estimate that the customer may be responsible for additional labor charges. Remember, an estimate is just that, only an educated guess at what will need to be done. If the dealer has experience replacing windshields on Lund boats like this one, they should be able to tell you up front you're will be looking to see x hours additional labor and/or x $$ for additional parts.

Really glad I've got flat safety glass on my boat that I can replace myself should I ever need to.

[Bodofish]

Me too on the flat glass!!!!!

I found these guys from a boat forum.... hummmm.... guys bitching about Lund windshields..... Hummmmm....

Well anyways, these guys say they have supplied Lund for years but do not have a non compete with them as Lund's preferred vendors do. They may have the mold. The price in forum was $220 for the glass, you put it in your frame.

http://www.taylormarine.com/windshields.html

[MotoBoat]

Me too on the flat glass!!!!!

I found these guys from a boat forum.... hummmm.... guys bitching about Lund windshields..... Hummmmm....

Well anyways, these guys say they have supplied Lund for years but do not have a non compete with them as Lund's preferred vendors do. They may have the mold. The price in forum was $220 for the glass, you put it in your frame.

http://www.taylormarine.com/windshields.html

Good find Bodo. Unfortunately, it was said in the first reply, that the frame is damaged too. Do they extrude frames as well? I would suppose the damaged frame complicates things a bit.

[Bodofish]

Found this on another forum. I think you can probably get the frame from them too, the guy on the form just bought glass.

Here's another clip.
" I will say that if you need anything for your lund boat contact Sportsman Sales and Service in Aberdeen S.D. I had quotes from 2500.00 to 1500.00 from other lund dealers. They are getting the whole windshield for under 800.00. Thanks everybody for you help."

[hewesfisher]

Well, well, well, so there's a disconnect between the glass mfr (who says they will sell away from Lund), boat mfr Lund, and local Lund dealer on who will sell to whom. Nice for the local dealer to imply otherwise.

Sounds like a call to Taylor Made is in order for pricing on the glass and frame plus shipping. Need all the numbers to make a good decision.

If woodfish has the time, talent, tools, and a place to do the work himself, he might be money ahead to order all the necessary parts and get dirty.

Take the boat to a well respected glass shop for a quote - might be less expensive than the dealer, might not. If it is, tell them you'll order all the parts, have them shipped direct to the glass shop, and deliver the boat when they arrive.

One thing not mentioned is who suffers the liability if the glass and/or frame are damaged or broken during install. DIYer eats the cost if they do, but a "pro" shop does if they do. Something to think about.

[woodfish24]

I did call Taylor Made and was politely told no deal unless I was a dealer and had specific parts numbers originating with lund.

Glass shops will not touch this due to curvature of glass, I already beat the local bushes for that.

I do not have the tools or the talent for this task.

Hewesfisher the background on your profile picture looks a lot like Rufus Woods, any reports from there lately?

Thanks for your concern.

[hewesfisher]

Background is indeed RW, but we haven't been there since late Sept 2011. Reports have been sporadic for RW, and I can't give you anything more than what folks are posting here.

With the limitations mentioned, guess you're faced with working through your local dealer. If you haven't filed a claim with your insurance for 3 or more years, there shouldn't be a premium increase, and if there is, it shouldn't be much. I know some companies say this to prevent insureds from filing a claim, but $3200 is a lot of money and that's what insurance is for.

If you haven't filed any claims in the last 3 - 5yrs, tell your agent you'll be shopping for a new boat policy if your rates go up. I have everything insured with State Farm and can guarantee my agent would get an earful if I was told my rates were going up because I filed a claim for damages. She stands to lose a lot of business if that were to happen. I just filed a claim a month ago due to wind damage on my roof, 3rd homeowner's claim in 23yrs and first in more than 10yrs. Last vehicle claim was 13yrs ago when my son hit a deer and totaled our car. Our rates didn't go up nor was there any threat of them doing so then or now.

Just my $.02.

[woodfish24]

Last trip to RW was Jan. 2012 and it sucked for big fish. Have not heard any encouraging reports. The big water release in 2011 must have done a number on the entire system.

Thanks for your information, I will get by with my ski goggles for a while.