Conference vicki::boats

A quick look in the 1988 NYNEX Boater's directory shows nothing under the
listing of "windshields", just a couple of pointers under the heading of
"windows" that refer you to upholstery shops.

MFG as such is no longer in business, but sold out to a company that now
builds them under the name of MFB.  In my collection at home I know I have 
an MFB brochure, which would at least give their current address.  I'll
look it up tonight and post it here tomorrow.  I seriously doubt they
still make the windshield, and if they do the price is probably pretty
outrageous.

I went the Sears route 2 years ago when replacing the windshield on my
14' Alumacraft.  The quality wasn't bad, the price was good at $65, and
it held up well in the 2 years I owned the boat.  I know they make at
least 3 models, one that swings open for a bow rider, and 2 solid models,
one of which can have snaps installed for a top.  You said the height
of their's is wrong.  If it's too tall you can easily trim the bottom
as a friend of mine did with his.  If it's too short you could either
live with it, or build a nice little teak base to raise the height of
the windshield.  Remember that the chance of finding an _exact_ duplicate
for a 20 year old boat at a reasonable price is pretty slim. 

Good Luck,

Rick W.

    Rick, I certainly appreciate your advice...ill wait to get the address
    from you on MFB and give that a shot anyways. The windsheild in
    the Sears catalog is 3 in. to high, mines 15" there's is 18 in.
    How would you cut 3 in. off? Doesnt the window come with an aluminum
    casing all around it?
    
                        BOB

Bob,

I forgot to bring in the brochure for MFB, I'll try to remember tomorrow...

As far as the Sears windshield, your problems with it being 3" too tall
are certainly less than if it were 3" too short.  First off, you should
make sure you're measuring by the same method as they are.  I believe they
are talking about the actual physical dimension of the windshield from top
to bottom, not the mounted height.  The material is pretty flexible when
not mounted, and when shipped is almost completely flat.  You determine
the actual vertical height to a great degree by the angle you mount it at.
By tucking in the outer "wings" the windshield will be more upright, raising
the height.  Bending the "wings" out will slant the windshield back and
lower the height.

If it turns out you do have to cut it, the aluminum casing only surrounds
the upper part of the windshield and is very easy to cut.  If you look at
the picture in the catalog you'll see that the base of the windshield rests
in a flexible white vinyl channel which you cut to length.  It will require
some careful measuring and cutting, but if you put the windshield in place
at the correct angle you can determine how much needs to be trimmed off and
mark it with a piece of masking tape.  You can cut it with a hacksaw blade,
a fine tooth saber saw, or a sharp knife.  After cutting you will then need
to re-drill the mounting bracket holes.

I installed mine with no cutting in less than an hour.  My buddy had to
custom fit his on an old Thompson, and it took him about 3 hours.  In any
event, I would suggest waiting for warm weather to install it.  The material
will be much easier to work with, and you won't be as rushed as if you're
out in the cold.

If you want additional info you can post it here, or send me mail directly.

Rick W.

    This may be of little value to you but I thought I would post it
    anyways. A couple of years ago I had to replace a plexi windshield
    and found a place (In Canada) that does the finest work I've seen
    anywhere. All they needed was the name of the boat and the type
    of tint I wanted. They custom made the window with tempered glass
    which they actually curved to fit. The frame was an extruded mat
    finish aluminum which you could attach snap fasteners anywhere
    along it's length. The cost was about 475.00 as I recall but well
    worth it. (Those are Canadian Dollars).
    You could call to see if they have a U.S. counter part...
    
            Canadian Canopy Co. Limited
             3 Morrow Road
             Barrie, Ontario
             (705) 726-2681
    
    Scott.
              

    Ok Rick, with that explanation, I will go ahead after Xmas and order
    the windshield. That sounds like it should work. Wonder if Sears
    will accept a return if I cut a couple inch's off? 
    In the meantime if you get MFB address ill call them and see whats
    cooking with them... I appreciate your advise.
    
                        BOB

Address for MFB:
------------------------------------------------------
Menard Fiberglass Boats Inc.       Phone: 814-378-7637
P.O. Box 95
Emery Ave.
Houtzdale, PA 16651


Bob,
I called the dealer whose name was stamped on the brochure, Roussel Marine
in Dracut.  They no longer carry MFB, but said as far as they know they are
still in business.  He also confirmed that MFB was formerly known as MFG.
He stated that windshields are generally only available from the boat builder
for a few years after the model year.  After that you have to go to the vendor
who supplied the windshield to the builder, whoever that is!  

Looks like Sears it is....

Rick W.

    If you haven't solved your widshield problem yet this may help you.
    There's a company in Florida that will build, repair, replace any
    windshield size and configuration you might need. Your windshield
    may be a fairly common size which they might have already built
    up. They also offer a catalog. Contact:
    
    Imperial Marine Equipment
    7601 N.W. 66 St.
    Miami, Fla.  33166
    305-592-0073
    

    
    
    	A couple years ago I had to replace my plexiglass windshield
    on my Steury X150 (steury is out of business).I found a shop in
    Coventry RI. that does this kind of work.My windshield is the molded
    type with no metal frame around it,just a center support.The price
    was $180.00 for a medium dark green (you can specify the color and
    shade) and all I had to do was to bring the old one for an exact
    replacement.The guy also does prop repair.
    
    The name of the place was
    A&G prop repair
    Coventry RI.  
    I have the complete address and phone no. at home,so if you are
    still looking for a windshield and would like to call the guy if
    he can fill your need.Just send a little note to WMOIS::N_PARE
    and I will be able to send you the info the next day.
    
    
    
    Frenchy
    

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Note 1002.0                  Looking for Windshield                   No replies
FSOA::DBROSNIHAN                                     13 lines  29-JUN-1992 13:54
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I am trying to locate a generic windshield for a friend of mine who
    just had his boat beat-up by the sea.
    
    I know that for snowmobiles there is a Catalog in which to by
    replacement windshields, ski's , etc... Does one exist for boats?
    
    Looking for a cheap way out.
    
    
    Thanks,
    
    Dennis
    

    Moved by mod.
    
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Note 1002.1                  Looking for Windshield                       1 of 1
SALEM::NORCROSS_W                                     5 lines  29-JUN-1992 14:34
                            -< Sears sells Taylor >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Get a Sears Marine Catalog.  They sell Taylor "generic" windshields
    that aren't pretty but they work.  Taylor has been selling the same
    aluminum-framed plexiglass windshields for years now.  I have one on
    my 26 year old boat that is the same as currently made.
    Wayne

    Boat/US will special order from Nelson Taylor.   You have to
    be careful though, they tend to ream you on special order
    prices.

    Most marine mail order houses crry the Taylor Windshields.
    
    Defender Industries has the best prices- give them a call - they are in
    New Rochelle, NY, - get as catalog and you ccan order them.
    
    E&B/ BLISS also carry them- you can check at Bliss Marine in Dedham-
    they can give you the No. to order from their catalog.
    
     Dick
    

                           -< more boat suppliers >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
	If you're looking for weather instruments, I'd start in the suppliers
of marine equipment.  Weather forecasting can be a life or death thing if
you are doing much off-shore sailing.  

	The catalogs that come to mind include:

			E & B Marine
			201 Meadow Rd
			P.O. box 3138
			Edison, N.J. 08818-3138
			1-800-533-5007

			Overton's Discount Marine
			111 Red Banks Rd
			P.O. Box 8228
			Greenville, N.C. 27835
			1-800-334-6541

			Outer Banks
			Highway, 70 East
			P.O. Drawer 500
			Beaufort, N.C. 28516
			1-800-682-2225

			West Marine Products
			Box 6303
[B			Santa Cruz, Ca 95063
			1-800-538-0775

			Goldbergs' Marine
			330 Oregon Ave.
			P.O. Box 2597
			Phildelphia, PA 19147-0597
			1-800-262-8464