Console Windshield fasteners for 17 foot Whalers

[OldKenT]

The fastener used to attach the windshield to the center or side console on many 1970s - 1980s 17-foot Whalers is called a well-nut. On my 1976 Newport, the correct size is #10-32 which will fit a hole size of 3/8" in the console. The original well-nuts used by Whaler were labeled G-1032. Well-nuts are available in several sizes, but the correct size for my boat, and perhaps others with similar console / windshield arrangements, is .807" long with a shank length of .620" and head thickness of .187", and head diameter of 3/4". It is available from www.clipsandfasteners.com, as are many other sizes of well nuts, and can also be ordered through Amazon. Au-ve-co Products in Cold Spring, KY is the manufacturer and the correct part number is 16244. Here is the link to the catalogue page: http://www.clipsandfasteners.com/v/vspf ... alog99.pdf.
If you have one of your current fasteners, use that as a guide by identifying the size machine screw which will fit the nut at the end of the fastener. If you don't, you should first measure the width of the hole on the console, not on the windshield, to determine the width of the shank of the well-nut which will fit. That will serve as a guide to the size machine screw you will need to use. Then consider head thickness and width, as that is what helps to cushion the windshield from vibrating.

[Phil T]

Good info.

This is one of those topics that repeats. Here is detailed conversation from way back in the day.

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000302.html

[OldKenT]

That is a good reference, Phil T. Thanks.
If the size of the existing machine screw is not known, then the width of the hole in the console is the most important dimension to determine as it will dictate the width of the shank on the well nut which will fit, and that in turn will likely determine which size machine screw to use - #6, #8, #10 or 1/4. The coarseness of the thread (24 or 32) is relatively unimportant. The chart referenced above on the clips and fasteners web site gives just about all the possibilities.