Mounting Bimini to 175 windshield?-gctid393574

[Guest]

My new Bimini came with hardware adapters for mounting to the windshield. Did anyone do theirs this way? Someone in another forum mentioned some newer boats aren't recommended for that mounting due to cracking the windshield or weakening the windshield frame. Any comments on that? My instructions don't have anything on the adapter install, but I'm guessing the flat side of the adapter backs up to flat side of Bimini mount and the curved side pretty much wraps around the windshield frame. The screws for mounting the Bimini are 1" long, so after going thru the mount and the adapter for the windshield should only go in about a 1/2" into windshield framing. Is that enough to hold it securely and is it shallow enough not to damage the glass when drilling/screwing into the frame?

Thanks much...

[Guest]

mine is that way but only the straps mount on top of the windshield,to pull it taught, the rest is on the gunwale no issues at all 2 seasons of all weather

[Guest]

My Bimini top (just recently installed by dealer) has the from support mounts on the lower portion of the windshield, plus the tightening clips on the top of the windshield. Doesn't look like the screws go anywhere near the glass.

[Guest]

My factory bimini was mounted to the windshield frame, the way many others are. I wouldn't be concerned as I see this on virtually every brand of new boat.

[Guest]

Mine is designed this way too. No problems at all!

[Guest]

I've done a lot of things to my boats but the one thing that scares me is working around the windshield. A screw in the wrong place can result in a million small pieces of safety glass. I know from experience! I replaced the latch on my pass through one one of my boats and that last little twist of the screwdriver was all it took. Fortunately it was the rectangular piece and the pass through frame popped right off. The local glass shop was able to take care of it. Any other piece and we're talking major expense for factory glass.

[Guest]

Thanks for the responses. I ordered a kit of braces for keeping it upright, but they're 48" long, and with a 175, I would think they seem a bit long. The only connection to it is a rivet, see pic, that I thought of drilling out and replacing with a bolt and locknut after cutting a foot or so off the length of the brace. Any reason not to? How tall are the braces for anyone else's? Most don't seem that long, especially on a smaller boat...

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