Installing Face Shields

·        Hardware included with each face shield are two clips, two U brackets, two ¼” bolts, two lock nuts and four flat washers.

·        Tools needed to install will be a ¼” drill bit and a 7/16 socket and backup wrench.

·        Some face shields may have been shipped unassembled for shipping purposes.

Attaching The Frame to the Fabric

1.     Start with the fabric shield turned backside up and begin sliding the main frame (long piece) in from the left side. Make sure the push button snap locks are facing up. Start at the bottom of the sleeve and slide the main frame all the way through to the other side until both corners fit snug into the fabric.

TIPS- push the frame through 3 or 4 pushes then slide the fabric back. Repeat until the frame wraps around the second corner.

DO NOT let the leading end of the frame poke through the slit in the sleeve on the other end. This will make it MUCH more difficult later on. Let the frame slide just past that slit by about an inch. Once it is an inch or so past the slit and INSIDE the sleeve, slide the bunched up fabric back toward the end of the sleeve where you started.

2.     Slide one of the shorter pieces into the sleeve with the end that has only one hole going in first. The idea is to slip this short piece over the main frame and let the snap lock “snap” into that hole. This takes a little maneuvering.

TIP- Stand the main frame on end and push down compressing the main frame bar. This will push the bar away from the tight fabric and allow you to slip the short piece over it. Feel for the snap lock with your fingers through the fabric and depress it so the short piece can slide into place.

3.     Repeat step two with the other short piece. TIP- stopping to curse is perfectly acceptable during this procedure!

 Installing the Face Shield to the Boat

1.     Your face shield should be mounted directly to the bow rail on the starboard (right) side of the boat.

2.     Install the U brackets by drilling a ¼” hole completely through the SIDE of the bow rail so that the U bracket, when installed, will point due port, (left). You do NOT want the brackets pointing straight up in the air.

3.     Insert the provided bolt with a flat washer on each side of the bow rail through the bracket and bow rail and tighten.

4.     Using the provided clips, attach your face shields to the U brackets.

5.     When sitting in the cockpit and the face shield is installed, over your right shoulder at the top of the face shield, near the main frame bar, you will notice an open slit in the sleeve. Insert one end of the provided bungee cord here. Stretch the bungee cord down and attach the other end to the bow rail. You can tie a knot in the cord to make it tighter which will make it spring more.

TIPS-

·        When installing the face shield to the front cockpit (furthest from the transom), you may want to cut the front leg of the face shield a little shorter to accommodate the bow rail curving in at that point. Then re-drill a new 5/16 hole. This will keep the shield from sitting crooked on that cockpit.

·        The black viewing screen that comes on the face shields has a tendency to shine. Paint them with flat brown paint.

·        Bungee cords for spring open action can be used but are not necessary.

If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call!

Kent Saxon

President, BFC Marine, Inc.

225-294-9991