lopsided gunwals

[lorax]

I've read threads on this forum about misaligned windshields. The common scenario, as I understand it, is that somebody replaces a rotten floor and in the process the hull/deck flairs out a little. The problem is not noticable until it's noticed that the hinged windshield door no longer aligns properly - usually there is a wider gap at the top than at the bottom.

What does it mean when the reverse is true - in other words, there is a wider gap at the bottom than at the top and what does it mean if the boat is structurally sound and has never had the floor replace? Is it likely to have come that way from the factory?

 

[i386]

Re: lopsided gunwals

Hrm. Maybe the deck has gotten soft (rot) and is allowing flex? Does it do it in the water as well as on the trailer? While in the water does bouncing your weight anywhere in the boat make the gap move?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: lopsided gunwals

I recently aquired an 18 ft BeachCraft.

The front windshield is very misaligned and will not close. Upon close inspection, the top cap is constructed of chopper gun glass, no mat or cloth of any kind. As such it is very 'floppy' and the rear of the front deck has actually sagged, cause the dash extentions to droop as well. My first clue came when I redid the doghouse. It was constructed the same way and was way to sloppy. After I did the work on it I glued in 1/2" ply at the top rear and bottom front insides and that really stiffened it up.

Checking up under the rear of the front deck there is no real supporting structure to keep it in shape. I got a piece of 4 x 6, place it on the floor, took two bottle jacks and a 2 x 4 above and jacked the deck up into place. That took the droop out of the dash pods and realigned the windshield parts.

When time permits, I will scribe a piece of 3/4 ply to the contour of the rear front deck, raise it up under the deck and epoxy it to the lower side, then add some glass tape from the support board to the underside of the deck.

 

[lorax]

Re: lopsided gunwals

"Hrm. Maybe the deck has gotten soft (rot) and is allowing flex? Does it do it in the water as well as on the trailer? While in the water does bouncing your weight anywhere in the boat make the gap move?"

No. The boat seems as solid as a rock on the water or off there is no change in the windshield alingment and the deck (it's and open bow) doesn't flex or seem at all distorted.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: lopsided gunwals

Lorax, Is the boat a closed bow or open bow model? Is it possible the windshield is a replacement or has some replaced parts?

For the gap to be wide at the bottom of the windshield, it implies the center of the floor (on a bowrider) or the center of the deck (on closed bow) has sunk. I think this would be noticable.

If the windshield is a replacement, maybe they couldnt get one that matched the curve of the bow. Is the piano hinge of the center portion of the windshield bent?

 

[Mark42]

Re: lopsided gunwals

Maybe they replaced the windshield support struts with the wrong length?

 

[lorax]

Re: lopsided gunwals

It's an open bow. The floor seems solid as does the whole boat. I attempted to lift the windshield underpinnings (for lack of a better word - I'm talking about the structure of the boat that seperates the bow area from the cockpit and supports the windshield) and there was no give whatever.

As far as a windshield replacement goes - I don't see any evidence that it was ever replaced and the previous owner (the original owner) didn't mention it. (that doesn't mean it didn't happen of course but it doesn't look like it)

Notice how the top of the windshield looks perfectly aligned across the top? That's because the aluminum extrusion that used to be attached to the top of the windshield got torn off and mangled, when I snagged it on a low garage door. The reason the section over the driver side is the only one to get ripped off is because it was sticking up about 3/4 of an inch higher than the rest of the windshield.

If anyone is interested I could post some more pics. I appreciate everyone's input.