starcraft windshield bolts ?

[rebs]

My port side windshield has two nuts that came off the bolts on the side in the gunwale. does anyone know how you would get to these to put the nuts back on ? I hate to think I would have to dismantle the inside of the boat to get to them.

[Esoxchaser]

Can't you reach way up there from your port side storage area? If not cut in an access hole (If there isn't one) under the console. Then install one of the plastic hatches there:
http://greatlakesskipper.com/categor...ss-covers.html
Make sure you use nylon locknuts so they stay put. Should have been done that way at the factory.

[rebs]

I stopped at the dealer this morning and asked about how to go about getting in there. he said that a lot of boats do not use nuts and bolts anymore, they use #8 stainless sheet metal screws. His advise was to drill a new hole about an inch from the present holes and use the stainless sheet metal screws. The top of the gunwale has an aircraft aluminum top and will have no problem holding.

[woodscreek]

You will need to remove the side wall to get to the nuts. Should be rivets. then you should be able to reinstall the nuts. use locktite so you don't need to do it again. or replace them with nylock nuts.
hope this helps.

[Esoxchaser]

Originally Posted by rebs

I stopped at the dealer this morning and asked about how to go about getting in there. he said that a lot of boats do not use nuts and bolts anymore, they use #8 stainless sheet metal screws. His advise was to drill a new hole about an inch from the present holes and use the stainless sheet metal screws. The top of the gunwale has an aircraft aluminum top and will have no problem holding.

I wouldn't want just a sheet metal screw in some .080 aluminum holding my windshield on at 40 mph, much less on the freeway. Even with a huge through bolted backer plate, twice as big as the berts plate the aluminum on top of my Starcraft gunwale eventually tore at the corner of the backer plate from the "stress" of pulling muskie baits in Berts tracks. Thats a heck of a lot less stress than a windshield would put on a little #8 screw.

[lundeepv]

Have had the rubber seal on my windshield off and it is amazing (to me anyway) how small the anchor screws were. One would think they would be a little more beefier or sturdy and more of them but apparently that is all it takes is a screw and small nut every 14-16" or so.