Windshield Support Rods...

[lintmann]

The boat is a 99 1800 LSR and I don't have much history on it. The problem is that center glass overlaps the starboard windshield at the top(fits nice and flush at the bottom) and I've found that if I remove the screws that hold the rod to the serrated plate and allow for about a 3/16" gap then it will close properly. Now I'm pretty sure that I have only ever seen a serrated plate work properly when it's mated against another serrated plate, unlike what you see in this pic. In fact if there was a serrated plate between the rod and the plate that is there, the glass would all fit properly. So am I correct in thinking that it missing it's serrated mate? The rod/plate on the port side looks that same as this one and I feel it is also missing a serrated plate...

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

make a longer rod, or buy a longer rod, or grab a bit of composite window shim and make a plate.

however you may want to see if the two consoles are tilting inward, indicating the floor is sagging in the middle. put a straight-edge across the floor and verify.

 

[redneck joe]

what scott said, check floor.

 

[lintmann]

Thanks guys, that's good advice. I placed a 4' level where you said and at most the center floor might be sagged 1/16" so I don't think that's contributing too much. I did notice though that both padded side panels are loose and that allows me to lift the corner of each console up just enough to close that gap between each rod and it's serrated plate.

Now I just have to figure out how to remove/tighten those padded side panels without damaging them. If it's too much of a pain, I'll just make some shims to go between the windshield frame and those serrated plates.

 

[Scott Danforth]

any sag is a concern to the deck.

there will be fasteners of some sort on the upholstered panels

 

[redneck joe]

Also a sixteenth there is different than what that number becomes at a a 4-4.5 foot vertical height.

 

[bajaman123]

is your windshield made by Taylormade? If so, go to there website (though it seems to be down at the moment) and look at all the available parts. In fact, MANY outlets sell Taylormade windshield support parts...just do a search.

For example:

https://defender.com/en_us/taylor-made-windshield-support-bar?utm_id=1224856940296832&utm_campaign=590113491&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=paid&utm_content=&msclkid=bd331b818f4512f30bc771b5fbb77d71&utm_term=4580153138713961#493=7595&615=41017

 

[lintmann]

any sag is a concern to the deck.
Pardon my ignorance around boat maintenance and repairs but are all boat decks supposed to be flat and is this something to look for when buying a used boat?

Thanks bajaman for that suggestion. I don't know who made the windshield so I will look. One of my biggest problems is knowing where to buy the interior bits(not even sure what the proper terminology is for most of it). Mercruiser parts are easy for me to find, boat specific have been a challenge, especially on an older boat like this 99.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Boat companies buy parts from a parts consortium. Deck hardware can come from half a dozen manufacturers around the globe (mostly Asian countries). Companies that supplied parts nearly 30 years ago may or may not be in business today. Parts bought one week may not be the same supplier the following

Boat companies today barely document their suppliers, back then, most likely not

Things like windshield struts could have come from companies like Taylor Made (Now owned by LCI) or from Prowit or White River or GG Schmit or sea dog (supplied by Prowit) or MarFas (now under Wurth) or Atwood or Attwood ( yes, 2 different companies, one with 1 t, one with 2 t). The former is out of business, the later is now under the Garelick moniker which is now under Brunswick

Regarding used boats. Any fiberglass boat older than 15 years old should be considered a restoration project until proven otherwise. The wood under the fiberglass rots