View Full Version : Do I replace (somehow) this windshield or leave it off?
Lenny
04-23-2004, 10:33 AM
I have removed the old one, it was trashed, and kind of like the look of it without. Do I go out of my way to find a place to redo it from the patterns or just leave it off...I have since polished the hull (rubbing compound and finishing compound, buffer, and it looks like new !!! ...sort of...)
EricG
04-23-2004, 10:40 AM
I think it looks great without it! Besides, we don't want you focusing on anything like a windsheild when you have to be getting the boat ready for Chelan :smile:
-EG
TuxedoPk
04-23-2004, 01:40 PM
Lenny,
My V-Drive GT came from Donzi w/o a windshield; I prefer the way it looks to the pictures of GT's with windshields that I've seen.
Personally, I'd leave off the windshield and put the money and time to a more enjoyable use.
Rich
I say put a windshield on it. Looks nekkid to me. :cool:
1996Z15
04-23-2004, 03:44 PM
I think it needs a windshield, maybe a lower profile one.
Donzi Di
04-23-2004, 03:47 PM
Lenny,
I say leave it off. The boat looks sleeker (is that a word??) without it.
Di
olredalert
04-23-2004, 03:52 PM
-------The 21GT was designed to have a windshield.Although you dont need to do it right away I think the boat looks naked without it. I dont want to get drawn into any discussion about wether or not all 21 GTs had them.I feel they did but the reality of it is that DONZI would accomodate just about anyone and it is possible that one or two snuck out the door without the windshield. A day on the water is a bunch less taxing if you have that windshield in front of you...........Bill S
BUIZILLA
04-23-2004, 04:01 PM
Imo, cut down the factory upper frame for a windscreen about 60% of the original, leave the lower frame intact, and re-do the glass in 25% smoke tint, and you'll have an awesome looking resto.
just my .02, wait until we do this to Islander's if you want, he's headed in that direction as we speak... I hope :wink:
J :sombrero:
olredalert
04-23-2004, 04:07 PM
--------I like Jims thoughts on this. Sounds CQQL!.......Bill S
Lenny
04-23-2004, 04:34 PM
Jim and Islander, are you using the original or having a new one made? If it is a new one then 2 might be in order...
BUIZILLA
04-23-2004, 05:06 PM
I think what I suggested to Manny to do first was to get the existing clear glass tinted at a tint shop in 22% for starters. Then, if the tint contrast looked CQQL, maybe cut it down from there in the future. Take a pic of your original setup, and use paintshop to tint it, and see what it looks like. If your frames are okay, there is no reason not to do it. The high freeboard of that hull, like my Minx, lend the lines to accent a windscreen better. I know this much, if it was mine, it's a no-brainer decision. It also needs a removable bimini top too, like my Minx has.
J :hyper:
It also needs a removable bimini top too, like my Minx has.
J :hyper:
:angryfire :angryfire :smile:
Islander
04-24-2004, 07:13 AM
At the moment, I'm a ways off from doing anything to the windshield. I may tint it a bit to see how it looks, but the more I look at the boat, the more I like the stock proportions. The windshield on this boat is in good condition and it would be a shame to trash it. My mindset is more along the lines of preservation rather than re-invention. The only thing that I am definitely going to do is fabricate a support for the center part of the frame. It’s so weak that I can’t believe it’s not bent.
Lenny,
FWIW the windshield on this boat has a sticker that reads “Taylormade 707147”
olredalert
04-24-2004, 09:24 AM
Islander,
-------I guess I missed that you got that 21. You got a nice boat. Road in it a whole day up here and it was sweet. Brought back many memories of the 21GT I bought new with 427 Merc/NO.3 combo in 1971.
-------Yup, the windshield was a weak spot. If you knew enough to ask when you ordered a 21GT they offered a center strut to strenghten things a bit. It was one of those options you needed to know about to order.
-------The Chisholms also offered vent assemblies in the side windows. Havent seen a 21GT so equipped in a long time but they were really handy at getting a little breeze to the driver and front seat passenger at slow speeds(no wake zones)on really hot days. They should have been standard!
-------I noticed that it appears you are doing over the one spot I wasnt in love with on yours, the upholstery. It certainly was clean and in decent shape, but new Bilt-Rite will look bitchin in there. The factory also had strengthening straps available for the front seats on a sort of "need-to-have basis". There were two per seat and they went from the bottom to the back on both sides at about a 45 degree angle. John C must have perceived that there was a problem there under extreme usage. If you wanted a drawing of those straps I could do that and fax it to you or something. They would be easy enough to duplicate.
-------Hope I get to see your GT again soon!..........Bill S
Lenny
04-24-2004, 11:01 AM
Islander, that is a beautiful boat.!!! Unfortunately the windshield on mine is is a few "shapes", and is not suitable for a rebuild. The whole top portion was bent downward in a few angles and such. I need something new made to replace it, I have contacted Taylormade, but, short of delivering a boat to these people to "match" or at least duplicate it, I am SOL. So the poll shows me at least that it is close on the desire to have one on or not and I can go from there. If someone there was to look at yours and be able to duplicate it I would be interested.
Interesting little side note. The bolts that slide in the channel of the windshield frame to secure it to the deck are what appears to be the brass flange bolts used to secure your toilet to the floor flange... :D
Scott Pearson
04-24-2004, 03:48 PM
Interesting little side note. The bolts that slide in the channel of the windshield frame to secure it to the deck are what appears to be the brass flange bolts used to secure your toilet to the floor flange... :D
Only Lenny would know this.........
(NJ)Scott
Blewbyu
04-24-2004, 05:58 PM
Lenny- I've fallen waaay behind here.Haven't been on often enough lately to know you snagged a 21GT.Why don't you give it one season without.It looks GOOD that way- but wait to see if it sells to the family.Early morning runs with dew on the deck, and evening runs with the mosquitoes during very warm weather are decidedly NOT fun when running in the salt up your way without a windshield. If you zip over to the Gulf Islands or San Juans for an overnight, you will probably want the glass in case the weather blows up in the Georgia Gulf or the Rosario Straights (and the roof too!).
Hey BTW- wha hoppen to the "BENCH"?? Is it still alive and well? Shoot me an email if you have the time.
Best Regards- Jeff :bonk: :bonk:
Islander
04-24-2004, 07:32 PM
Bill S,
It really is a nice boat. Took it out today for a run around the bay and it is perfect for the typical conditions here. I agree that side vents would be a nice addition, but I suppose in the no wake zones (where the @$%#&# manatees have gotten the better of us) I can always run it in reverse. :smile:
I’d appreciate the drawing on those straps for the front seats. The seat backs are only attached to the bottoms with three aluminum brackets, and if someone carelessly sat on the tops, might do some damage. I already had the interior done and while it may be too late, I might still be able to have it retrofitted.
Speaking of bilt-rite, it may be sacrilege to mention it on this site, but their customer service, at least in my experience, was not the greatest. I called numerous times, left a number of voice mails, managed to speak to the owner’s assistant once, who promised to have the owner call back, and to this day, I’m still waiting. Fortunately the interior on this boat had what appeared to be an original pattern and I had a local marine upholsterer do up a new one. It came out pretty darned good. I’ll post some pics in the next day or so.
This boat has a couple of features that I can’t figure out if the factory did it or someone afterwards. With Donzi’s you can never tell. There’s sort of a cuddy cabin with a large v-cushion that covers the entire floor area just forward of the dash, and it has no center instrument console like on other GT’s I’ve seen. Instead the instruments are mounted on the dash. There’s also a cutout in the center of the dash and I’m guessing it was put there to make it easier to crawl under there. While I can’t imagine spending any time there unless you’re a sauna-loving dwarf, it does give you great access to the bow area for storage.
Lenny,
If you need me to take the boat to someone in the area to make a template for the windshield, let me know, I’ll be happy to do it. Poodle said something to me the other day about this...
By the way...how did you make the mental connection on those toilet bolts?
Lenny
04-24-2004, 09:36 PM
Islander, when I removed the windshield, the bolts (flanged threaded brass rod) are the SAME as what is used today on 4" plumbing toilet ABS flanges. Coincidence???...I don't think so. And by the way, they were perfect, no corrosion after 32 years, and they are waaaayyy to long, and since they put the shields on these boats when the decks were NOT on the hull, you can imagine my surprise that when with two people and 4- 12" 3/8" extensions on my ratchet and 2 universals and a deep socket, and a LOT of swearing upon barely reaching the back 2 on both sides, one from the bow and one from the engine compartment, that they were easy to undo.
:D
If that is an offer to get a shield made, and I know you live in the right place, then I am up for it...Thank you... Lenny
P.S. Jeff, the "avatar" is the bench boat X-18 in yellow, I just dont want to show it until it is rigged and running.
I OWE YOU !!!! Thank you for your open candor...and the door to your house a few times, being a total stranger...I REALLY appreciate that :)
We'll get even :D
See you here! :)
Lenny,
Guess the windshield replacement is halfwayin progress. Being a purist as of late, I say if you want to leave it off... leave it off. Save your parts for if you want to put it back on. Those tall windshields are great to keep the weather off, but they also keep a comfortable breeze from reaching you. Mine was tinted once don't know what percentage, but after a few swirls you couldn't see through it at night and ended up setting on the back of the seat which you will eventually break. The cut down windshields look cool and fast, but I personally like the windshield to come back flush with the face of the dash. (Why?, I don't know). I do like the idea of vent windows, that would be sweet. Have not seen them before. I've not been on the board of late and am glad to see all the GT banter.
Rick
What would be cool would be to have a seperate cut down frame made and keep the original for future sale to the purist.
Lenny,
Maybe it's time for some well placed speakers.... say where the windshield fastners are or install some access panels lower where you can reach up.
Rick
Len you feel like fooling around with a very new/old windshield I think I still have stashed out back? It is a Taylor similar profile to "Islanders" but it has the split front two panels, it is missing one wing. I am sure you can get the aluminum parts from Taylor. Free for the shipping.
Phil
Lenny
04-26-2004, 10:49 PM
Phil, post a pic of the extrusion and I might take you up on it. I have "perfect" wings, the front is shot. It is a radius male/female groove thing and it would have to match in order to work. Yes I am interested. Post a pic PLEASE :D Yes a split shield might solve a lot of GT dilemas for the future.
...thanks...nice chatting with you on the phone today...
Extreme opposite side of North America, Lenny
Len it is the same exact frame Islander has with the rounded forward corners, I can shoot a pic with my antique 35 but it will be days before it gets up here. I doubt if the matching alum would cost you more than 35-40 + glass locally.
Phil
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