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Random Quote: Its a bird! Its a bird! No, wait! Its a flying FISH...WTF!
Do the forward sloped windshields, (not sure what they are called) you see on tugs, Alaskan type boats and CG boats serve a purpose? It would seem it has something to do with foul weather, does anyone know??
So with at least a few good reasons to slope the windshield fwd why don't more boats have this feature. Only one I can think of besides the Alaskan boats is the Albin 36 fast trawler.
It also gives a logical mounting place for overhead electronics. Look at any commercial crab boat etc, tronics are overhead, a little forward, and out of the way. The reason this is important is CRITICAL. It leaves the dash area available to accomodate about 18 1/2 cups of cold coffee, your "secret spot" book of coordinates, and 6 3/4 full warm cans of pop.
__________________ "a doughnut is only one step above a rent rod"
The most important reason is to protect the front windows in the event of a boarding sea. It is harder to blow out the front windows because the water pressure and the landing force of the wave are different with the slope forward. With a reverse slope it is possible for the wave to land directly on the windows and take the direct force of the wave.
LOL,
I suppose it all depends on where you do your boating. If you use your boat in what might be considered robust conditions, it is definitley "mo bettah." Also as already stated, quite handy for stashing electronics. As far as looks go, some people admire form following function. I know I do, but then again I've put my time in the gulf, the gulf of Alaska.
Wally
__________________ If this is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
I think uscgman got it right. In addition I know that water shedding is a main reason. With a normally sloped windshield, aerodynamic drag pushes the water upwards, while gravity naturally motivates it downwards. This causes a tug of war between two forces and the water is not shed effectively. With a forward sloped windshield, the aerodynamic drag is now motivating the water downwards along with gravity. The downside is increased drag. You can think of it as a "parachute affect", there is a stagnation point at the base of the windshield which stops air flow rather than letting it pass over the windshield, therefore causing increased drag. The good thing is that drag increases exponentially as speed increases, and boats travel relatively slowly, so its not a HUGE concern.
I guess MEM 340- Fundamentals of Aerodynamics came in handy after all
Location: Quebec, Canada and Pirates Cove, OBX, NC
Posts: 17,813
RE: Forward Sloped Windshields
and the right answer is
Quote:
uscgman - 4/14/2005 8:38 PM The most important reason is to protect the front windows in the event of a boarding sea. It is harder to blow out the front windows because the water pressure and the landing force of the wave are different with the slope forward. With a reverse slope it is possible for the wave to land directly on the windows and take the direct force of the wave.
This was essential before tempered glass was invented . . . plus reduces glare etc. . . . if you spend time around harbours you will see much less glare
All the above is correct! The rearward sloped windshield was copied from auto designs which were based on aerodynamics, not water shedding ability. Original maritime "windows" were simple "up & down" portholes of various sizes and shapes.Just take a look at our "modern" center consoles....up & down!
Forward Sloped Windshields 
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