Anyone ever taken a fixed windshield and made it hinged?

PickleRick

Before i scrap my parts boat i wanted to ask. Im tired of leaping the windshield to access the anchor. One day im going to put myself in the e.r. doing so despite my grip tape.  My parts boat opens, my rinker doesn't.  Anyone see an issue with me adding a hinged middle glass?  



Please pardon the mess.  The mirror is being pushed back 4 inches to both make climbing over the windshield easier and to make room for my wide screen 4.3 inch gps/sonar/chartplotter with echomap 

randy56

Looks simple enough, screw a piano hinge to one side, or pop rivet. I wonder if there are screw's from the frame to the fiberglass?  That's a trip waiting to happen, or nose dive into the cockpit.  What's the rubber bumper for? I think I would discard the mirror. 

aero3113

Be careful drilling for the hinge, can easily shatter the window.

PickleRick

Rubber bumper is 360 base mount for the chartplotter.

Id ditch the morror but i pull the kid behind the boat. 

aero3113

PickleRick said:

Rubber bumper is 360 base mount for the chartplotter.

Id ditch the morror but i pull the kid behind the boat. 

I think he’s talking about the rubber bumper on the windshield.

PickleRick

It's a mount for the all round light pole.  I no longer use it.  

rasbury

I'd do it...

Dream_Inn

I'd go for it too.  Nothing worse than no access thru windshield.

PickleRick

Got the windshield frame removed from my parts boat.  About 2.5 inches too short on the hinged u shaped channels.  The other hardware will work. Sadly the hinge is the most important part.

Ian

Re the mirror, not that I tow anyone, but I have one of those with a suction cup that stay on the windscreen well with full rear view.

PickleRick

Until i get the hinge situation figured out, possibly one of the local window shops can make one, the mirror is now located fully under the windshield.  At this position its no longer in my way as i sprawl over the window to access the deck.  Once that opens it will have to be replaced with another.  I feel like dropping anchor and setting is a chore the kiddo needs to learn once he can go forward. Luckily I'm 6ft2 and have the leg span for stepping over the windshield, for now

PickleRick

Lol no idea. Was on the boat when i purchased it.  The owner was a truck driver.  It's all stainless.