Windshield Removal Questions

[Smackledorf]

How much work is it to remove a windshield from a 2001 240 Sundeck?

I need the bridge clearance with the ridiculously high water. I can squeeze it through some days but it is too risky if the wind shifts and our water level spikes. My neighbors said this was a common solution used by others with high-sitting bow riders back in the previous high water period.

Follow-up: how hard to put it back together?

 

[JimG]

Wow, you must really need to go that way!

Probably not that hard to remove the windshield... you would have to seal up the holes left behind, and reseal everything at re-installation.

 

[jason78]

I removed the windshield once on my 280DA to rebed it. Although it was obviously larger than yours, it was 2 piece walk through windshield so essentially a larger version of what you are dealing with. My advice, be VERY careful. Once removed, the windshield assembly was less stable than I thought it would be as in, it would flex if you let it. The curved pieces of glass would be of greatest concern since with the slightest over-flex they will crack and these windshields cost thousands to replace. There should be a screw-in tab within the part of the window hinge that swings open to walk through. You want to remove that tab allowing the removal of the swinging square piece of glass all together. Then be very careful with the Port and Starboard pieces. Unless you have some way to shim them up and secure them on a wooden pallet for storage, they may flex and crack while sitting as well. This sounds like a lot of trouble to get under a bridge but it can be done if you are willing to take the risk of removing and storing the glass.

 

[Smackledorf]

I removed the windshield once on my 280DA to rebed it. Although it was obviously larger than yours, it was 2 piece walk through windshield so essentially a larger version of what you are dealing with. My advice, be VERY careful. Once removed, the windshield assembly was less stable than I thought it would be as in, it would flex if you let it. The curved pieces of glass would be of greatest concern since with the slightest over-flex they will crack and these windshields cost thousands to replace. There should be a screw-in tab within the part of the window hinge that swings open to walk through. You want to remove that tab allowing the removal of the swinging square piece of glass all together. Then be very careful with the Port and Starboard pieces. Unless you have some way to shim them up and secure them on a wooden pallet for storage, they may flex and crack while sitting as well. This sounds like a lot of trouble to get under a bridge but it can be done if you are willing to take the risk of removing and storing the glass.

Nuts, that sounds like significant work. Oh well, water is down and should be for the remainder of the season. Hopefully this year is the peak.

Stupid bridges, bain of my existence.

 

[Smackledorf]

And thx for the info of course!

 

[Lazy Daze]

Jason is dead-on with the removal process and the need to be careful. He is NOT exaggerating about the cost of the glass!

Have you thought about a FatSac or two? Maybe just moving people to the bow while you go under for those times when it's "close"? You probably have, but just in case.

 

[Smackledorf]

Fatsacs are expensive in and of themselves, especially in the quantity it requires to lower my searay significantly. Not to mention tedious.

I have till next spring to make this decision though.