Calling all Thompson 240 hard top owners.

[RussH]

I recently purchased a 1989 Thompson 240 hard top. This is a downgrade from my Scarab Sport I sold in the spring. My question is to any owners of this model boat with a hard top. This boat has no side glass under the hard top, it has Eisenglass that snaps on the sides. The Eisenglass leaves a gap between the frame that holds the glass and the snaps allowing water to come in when raining or any water that comes over the bow (which I've found out is a lot).

I have been trying to find replacement glass from another hard top but I can't find any hard top glass that is high enough. I went to a boat salvage yard and measured at least 30 other hard top boats and all of the glass range from 20" - 24", I measured my Thompson and it looks like I need the glass to be 29" high.

Are there any owners of this boat that can measure the height of their glass and let me know how high their glass is? Also, is the rear glass on your hard tops fixed or does it slide forward and aft like the front does?

Russ

[FreeByrd]

Russ,
You might try posting in the Lake Erie forum on the Ohio Game Fishing website. I know there are a few guys on OGF that have 24 Thompsons.

[erie skipper]

If your sliding glass tracks are still in place; and they should be; your local glass company should be able to help you. Or, you can get some plexi-glass cut to size, use a porta power to spread the hardtop enough to get the glass pieces in and you're good to go.

[Jaime Lyn]

Russ, I'd say the easiest solution would be to have a glass shop make you a new set. If I remember the tracks are aligned top and bottom. You may have to make a pattern for the glass shop (glass should be tempered). Just remember when making a pattern that the top of the glass must tuck up into the top track when bearing on the bottom track. Also, when front and rear glass is closed you should have a couple of inches overlap. I no longer have my 240HT, but I remember a rough ride back one day, I had the starboard front glass come loose from the track. Thank God the window was open and I had my right on the glass. You'll like that boat!

[RussH]

I have 1/4" Lexan that I was thinking of using but the span height of 29" makes me wonder if the Lexan will be to flexible and simply fall out while running. The tracks are still in place so I'm good to go there. The guy that owned the boat before me said the local glass company quoted him $1,400 to special cut and temper the replacement glass. That seemed way out of line so I called a local glass company and he said it would be at least $1,000 to cut the glass and have it tempered. NO WAY am I going to spend that much.

If I cut this Lexan and install it do you guys think it will be to flexible? Would it help if I cut some strips maybe 4" wide and glue them at a couple of places in an attempt to stiffen the Lexan? Obviously the strips would not be the full height so as not to interfere with sliding in the track.

Jaime- do you recall if the rear glass was fixed or did it also slide?

I've used the boat 4 times so far and it certainly doesn't ride anything like my Scarab Sport but it's not nearly as bad as my old Starcraft. It certainly has a wet ride which the hard top comes in very handy. The windshield wiper is mounted so high on the windshield you have to stand up to drive. Putting the tabs down helps the ride but it feels like the boat is really plowing in the water.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Russ

[Jaime Lyn]

Russ, if I remember I believe both front and rear slide. I would'nt be afraid to use the plex. Make sure the thickness is just a wee bit smaller than the track and the top extends at least 1/8" (or more) into upper track. I don't think it will flex enough to pop out of the track. 1/4" thick is plenty strong.