Phantom 16 Windshield

[Todd]

I'm trying to figure out how to fasten a homemade plexiglas windshield to the console? Rather than mounting on top of the console, our windshield will wrap around it with about a 2 or 3 inch overlap. I was going to use bolts with spacers of some kind to leave a gap between the console and plexiglas so that water doesn't get trapped but am concerned that if the bolts are too loose or too tight, the plexiglas will crack. Is there any kind of mounting hardware available? Thanks for any suggestions.

[Lucky_Louis]

I use a 3/8" hole in the plexiglass or acrylic, placed a hard rubber or nylon bushing in the hole 3/8" O.D, 1/4" I.D., the same thickness as the windshield or a hair thicker. Then fasten the works to your console with 1/4 S.S. Flathead machine screws. Get the widest head you can find and flat washers don't hurt. The killer is using a taper head or bugle head (like a drywall screw) because they will act like a wedge and split your plastic. The plan is to hold the glass in place without creating local compression stresses at the fasteners. Don't over tighten and you should be fine.

[anflyer]

Todd, I have nylon washers to seperate the windshield from the console for drainage there is about a 3/8" to 1/2" gap. As lucky_louis states dont use oval head screw, use flat heat screws.

Anflyer

[Todd]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had intended use countersunk bolts with oval heads but had concerns, and your idea of using flat heads to reduce stress makes much more sense.

[stickystuff]

Find some 1/4" 3/8" rubber grommets. Drill hole in plexiglass and install the grommet. Then get some stainless countersunk beauty washers. Most any marine hardware has them. Use a flat head stainless screw with a stainless washer on both sides of the grommet and tighten to a snug but not overtight so as to squash the grommet to tight. either a machine screw or wood screw will work. If you use a machine screw install a flat washer and a Ny/Lock nut on the back side. (Nylon locking nut)