Repair Question

[NCBOOGER]

Hello guys and gals, I have a question for those who may know better than me....
I have a 1996 Sea Ray 175 F/S. Second hand, although I got it from my father who bought it new. It has always been covered and garaged when not in use.
I've noticed recently that the swinging "walk through" portion of the windshield is VERY tight to open and close. It is 1/4 inch too wide measuring at the frame. I can "force" it to open or close, but really don't like to. Looking at the windshield frame, all of the mitres are tightly fit together. Nothing separated. My second thought was a bad floor had caused the consoles to move as I walk up to the windshield. I measured the opening, swing portion open, with me standing (220 lbs) at the windshield. And again windshield open while laying on scaffolding above the windshield (not on the boat but on the garage floor). And again off of the trailer in the water... All three measurements were within 1/32 of an inch difference.

Any thoughts? Where do I go from here?

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome to iboats.

When closing the window, is there a wider gap at the bottom that narrows until it overlaps the opening on top?

 

[NCBOOGER]

Only extremely small. With measuring it, it is approximatly 1/32 of an inch or less difference top to bottom. The top being wider. When I "force" it I have to start at the top.

 

[Newbie@boats]

I had a boat I parted out once same issue, floor under it was rotted and caused the 2 consoles to sink down a little bit, and it caused the windshield issue. Except the floor was so bad in this boat I could pull both consoles up and it would fix the issue....I didn't care because when I was done parting the boat out someone took it for free for what was left of the motor.

Hopefully that's not your issue

 

[NHGuy]

Ask your dad if it has always been this way. If not and it's a new phenomena you could have failing structure under the floor causing the two sides of the boat to close in. I hope I am wrong!

 

[NCBOOGER]

Thanks guys. I'm hoping it is not the floor either. My dad and I are kind of OCD with our vehicles, the boat, camper etc. Like I said, it has always been garage kept and covered. And if I remember correctly I think it has only seen rain three times while on the lakes. I know wood rots from dampness. Every time we get it out of the water and pull the plug we might get 3-4 ounces of water out of the bilge after being on the lake tubing or skiing all day. I cant imagine that much water causing floor damage. Or humidiy doing it.

Is there a non-invasive way to check the floor and stringers for rot?

 

[NCBOOGER]

If it is just a day out cruising or fishing it even has less or no water in the bilge pulling the plug at the end of the day.

 

[s.hadley81]

Try lifting the window up and down a bit to see if the hinge has some play in it.