Sharp Windshield Corners

[l008com]

My boat is a 1984 model. So it doesn't have fancy rounded sweeping windshields. It has very sharp-edged windshields. See:


I'm getting a new cover this year. I'm going to whip up a little PVC frame to make a tent underneath, so I can use the cover for the winter. But my problem is those damn windshield corners. They are going to make real pressure points on the cover. I'm certain they will prematurely poke holes through the cover. Are there any products, or interesting ideas, to solve this problem?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

Buy a couple PVC or ABC 90* couplings and cut a slot out of them, to fit the corner.

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

My cover had reinforcements in those areas, but I also put a folded towel over those areas as extra precaution. I would have to reposition them though after strong winds. I like the pvc/abc idea. Seems they'd stay put.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

I've used foam pipe insulation in the past and it worked BUT I LOVE the pvc corner idea.... 'GOODER'

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

Split pool noodles. Cheap and no hard wear points like PVC. Might even be on sale at the $ store.

 

[gstrom11]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

Split pool noodles. Cheap and no hard wear points like PVC. Might even be on sale at the $ store.

That's what I use, works great!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

Might also make sure that the cover you're having made accounts for those corners. My boat came with a custom cover - original owner had it made - and the cover was formed to the windshield top. I have the same hard points on mine as you do, and the cover is reinforced at each corner and down the top of the windshield. In fact, I pretty much put my cover on, but setting the windshield portion and working forward and then aft on it.

I might look at the PVC idea too, but this has been pretty robust so far.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

+2 on the pool noodles. Use them to protect all kinds of stuff.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

How bout a piece of slotted pvc pipe all the way across the windshield w 90s on each end for the corners. You could butt two Ts in the middle and run pipes fore and aft and 45, or 90 them down at the bow and stern. cut and assemble the windshield parts and position the angle of the ts, and mark and glue that toghether, then cut out the slot. Glue some of the frame together and slip fit some joints to make it easy to assemble and take down. Maybe three pieces to assemble. I made a freestanding 2" PVC frame for my boat w 5 inverted Ts and 2' pipes for bases, vertical pieces to the ridgepole, Ts on the top connected to form a ridge from stem to stern, 90s on the ends and a tarp bungied to my trailer. Takes 5 mins to install, nothing is glued (but I might one day) and it works great.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

You are in MA. If you are going to store it outdoors, make the PVC frame robust enough to withstand possible snow loads. I had a frame made from 1 X 3 X 10 on edge with no center support snap last year. I though sure that at 3 inches it would be able to withstand snow but about 2 feet of it was just too much.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

+1 on the pool noodles.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

I'm a noodle guy myself! Man those things are great for everything except swimming LOL.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

I had the same issue; took my cover to the awning shop and had them sew in big patches on the windshield area. Where I am, I am not concerned about a little leaking in the stitching.
Wish I had thought of pool noodles, though.

 

[nlain]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

I used short pieces of 5/8" heater hose split, 1 on each side of the walk thru and one on each corner on my 87 boat with same style frame. I still have the hose and put on on the current frame just to help protect the storage cover, though not totally necessary on this frame.

 

[HopinImFloatin]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

i repurposed my sons old elbow pads from skateboarding, very small ones for children and the conform perfectly over the corners with a large radius for the cover to go over

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

I've got an old piece of linoleum cut and stapled to fit over the top of my windshield. It's kind of a pain to keep it in place to put the cover on though. The one and only time I didn't use it I cut a 2 inch slit in my cover....

And what is it with pool noodles on this forum? Jeez...

 

[Lou C]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

pipe insulation works well

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: Sharp Windshield Corners

I just laid a folded piece of cardboard on mine to pad it some.