38 Lightning Race Fairing Removal
#1
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I am about to purchase an 02, 38 Lightning with the optional race fairing on the boat. I have only run boats with windshields, not a fairing and as cool as it is, I am considering switching it out with a windshield so the smaller/youngster members of my family can enjoy the view without being on tippy toes. How difficult is it to remove the fairing? Is it simply bolted in place or is it permanently affixed to the hull?
The same question then applies to the windshield, if there are any significant complexities to the installation? Thank you for any info you can provide.
Jon
The same question then applies to the windshield, if there are any significant complexities to the installation? Thank you for any info you can provide.
Jon
#2
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
I just did this last winter the faring is bolted through in I believe about 10 places. You have to remove the side upholstery panels and pull down part of the headliner in the cabin mine was siliconed down in front of the helm. It will take 3-4 people to help get it off the boat. As far as installing the new windshield the holes from the faring will not line up and will need to be filled and new ones drilled for the new windshield atleast that was my experience. I bought a used windshield off of a 47 and cut it down length and height but I can say that I love the look of the cut down windshield over the faring. I hope this helps.
#3
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Great information, thank you! Although it sounds like a pain in the ass it also sounds very doable. Also really interesting the bolt holes did not align with the windshield. Is it possible that happened because you had a 47 windshield? Did you sell the fairing? Do you have any pics of the work and the finished windshield? Please let me know and I will PM you my email address.
#5
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
Also the faring is wider than the windshield at the base so essentially faring would cover windshield holes but windshield wouldn’t cover the holes made for faring. I could also see where my boat had a windshield on it in the past cause the holes had been filled in and yes because of the 47 windshield I could not align with the old holes
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