Need a better idea ?

[Islandtrader]

The windshield supports shown in the picture does not quite make it in my opinion.

Besides supporting the Windshield I know (by accident) or otherwise someone will grab them when looking for a hand hold and even if I through bolt them the black nylon will give and break.

The boat is almost ready for paint so I want to make a change now. I have done some searching but the best I can find is Bimini top fixtures and I think those are to bulky.

Ideas??? Thanks,

[workinpr0gress]

Got any welder buddy's?

[strick]

Go Custom made. Dave had one made for his 25 Seafari....maybe he can tell you how he went about it. The windshield supports are usually different for each boat so it would be better to have some real nice custom ones made out of SS as it would contrast the finished wood. If you dont like shiny then maybe you could make some out of wood just like you did the windshield?

strick

[Islandtrader]

Originally Posted by strick

Go Custom made. Dave had one made for his 25 Seafari....maybe he can tell you how he went about it. The windshield supports are usually different for each boat so it would be better to have some real nice custom ones made out of SS as it would contrast the finished wood. If you dont like shiny then maybe you could make some out of wood just like you did the windshield?

strick

I don't have the time and energy to even think about wood...

Looking for the easy way out

Anybody else??

[Bushwacker]

Terry,

I bet a good machinist could easily fabricate some SS pieces out of bar stock to simply replace those nylon parts on what you have. Probably not cheap, but what's a few more $ on top of what you already have invested in that project?!

A cheaper option would be to just use round SS tubing for the whole support, flattening and bending the ends for fasteners, although that probably wouldn't look as nice as what you already have. Denny

[Islandtrader]

Originally Posted by Bushwacker

Terry,

I bet a good machinist could easily fabricate some SS pieces...

Denny that is funny have you ever tried to find a good machinist in FL.

Not going to happen. However I did get a brain storm and my buddy back in Milwaukee where machinist are like fishing guides down here said "send him the plan and he will make it."

So stay tuned for the finish product.

[gofastsandman]

What about a bow rail holder where it starts going fore.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Islandtrader

Denny that is funny have you ever tried to find a good machinist in FL.

We had an experimental machine shop at the Pratt R&D center out in the swamp that could make one or two of virtually anything to aerospace quality standards, including titanium fuel plumbing lines with INTEGRAL ferrules, no brazing required! I can also provide names of some local shops we used, many staffed by ex-P&W machinists, that could do similar work, but you probably wouldn't want to pay aerospace prices!

If you have some machinist buddies up north that maybe aren't too busy right now, that's probably a good approach!

Sandy's idea to use bow rail end fittings with SS tubing like the one in picture below is also a good one if you want something more robust. Don't know if they make those fittings with different angles, but you might be able to sand/grind the bottom of them to change the angle. Denny

[strick]

That would be an offer I could not refuse

strick

[Islandtrader]

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

3/4" square bars of aluminum or stainless (could use tubing if you prefer); cut the ends at appropriate angles weld on 3/16" flange plates w/countersunk mounting holes and screw in place. Give bar a little quarter round to match the soft curves of the 21 and your done...

The problem I see with this...the top is a compound angle of 5' x 39' plus (miter saw only cuts wood ) my welding skill do not include aluminum or stainless... See solution below

Originally Posted by Blue_Heron

Terry,
I made mine out of 304 stainless sheet and bent it on a sheet metal brake we've got at work. It's very stiff, no worries about it letting go if someone grabs hold



I have plenty of the material left if you want me to throw a couple together for you, no charge. I'd need you to send me a wood template that's the right length and has the correct angle cut on each end. Or I could just bend some angle stock and you can cut it to length and bend the ears on the ends. Call or PM me if you're interested.
Dave

I will...

Originally Posted by strick

That would be an offer I could not refuse

strick

I won't