How to Identify Your Boat’s Windshield Seals

Weatherstripping might not be the first thing that comes to mind when maintaining your boat, however it is important to identify what kind of seals you have if you need to replace them. In this article, we’ll explain the different seals and their functions.

The 5 Major Seals:

Screw Covers

Screw Track Covers are the most common seal to be replaced. Typically, you will find this seal along the entire bottom edge of your windshield. We carry a variety of different seal types, but our most popular screw cover is part #70-3813-340. We will cover how to replace the screw covers in another blog article. You can find a video about this on our YouTube Channel!

Hinge Tape & Overlap Seal

You will find this seal on walk-through windshield frames where the window hinges. This flat seal is one of the most universal seals in this list, and it ensures a no-leak secure closure. Seals like part #70-3673-377 and #70-3672-377 are great replacement options for the original foam tape used by most boat manufacturers. The original PVC foam tape is commonly prone to deterioration so we decided to improve upon the design by using EPDM rubber for longevity and durability.

To complement the hinge tape, you will also find a seal on the opposite side of the windshield door. These seals are compressed where the door overlaps and latches to create a tight seal. Seals like part #70-3849-377 or #70-3859-377 are perfect for this kind of application. These seals are also made of highly weather resistant EPDM rubber for durability.

Frame Cushion

The bottom edge of the window frame has a lip that does not come in direct contact to the boat body. So, how do you seal a part like that? You need something like part #70-2676-357 to act as a cushion to control vibration and brace the frame. This seal also creates a weatherproof barrier between the frame and the body of the boat.

Glass Channel

This is a worst case scenario replacement. Unless you are restoring an old boat, or the windshield on your boat has been broken, you should not have to replace this seal. This seal sits in the aluminum frame of the windshield and holds the glass in place. This will be located all throughout the windshield to keep the glass from rattling or coming out of place.


At Steele, we’re more than just high-quality products, we’re your trusted resource for completing your weatherstripping projects with confidence.

Whether you’re working on a classic car or truck, street rod, RV, or boat, our expert team is here to help. If you have questions about weatherstripping or need product guidance, we’re just a call or click away.

📞 Call us at 800-650-4482
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10 responses to “How to Identify Your Boat’s Windshield Seals”

  1. I have a 1971 Larson trihull and need to replace the weather stripping on the center window that flips open to walk to the front. And don’t know what to use. Can you help me with this project.

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    1. Hey Glen, we’d be glad to help you find a solution for your boat. Your walk-through window will need a seal where the window hinges and on the opposite side where the center window overlaps to meet the windshield. You’ll want a sponge rubber for both areas to allow compression when the center window is closed. For the hinge seal, we typically recommend a rectangular profile and for the overlap seal, we typically recommend a D-shape profile, though you can use the same profile on both areas if you prefer.

      We did an install demonstration on a walk-through window years ago, and I will include the links to the exact parts we used as a reference.
      Hinge seal: https://www.steelerubber.com/large-ribbed-hollow-rectangular-70-3849-377#70-3849-377
      Overlap seal: https://www.steelerubber.com/medium-hollow-half-round-70-3848-377#70-3848-377

      Lastly, I’d recommend ordering the “D” Seal Sample Pack and the Rectangular Sample Pack so that you can test different sample pieces to see what will fit best on your boat. Here’s the link to our sample packs: https://www.steelerubber.com/marine-sample-pack

      We hope this helps you find the parts you are looking for, however, if you have any additional questions or would like additional help, please feel free to contact us directly by calling us 800-447-0849 or emailing us at contact@steelerubber.com. Thank you again for reaching out to us!

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  2. It’s interesting when you said that improving the design is necessary for longevity and durability. A couple of days ago, my uncle told me that he was looking for a plastic fabrication that could replace his damaged boat windshield, and he asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to do. Thanks for this helpful article, and I will be sure to tell him that consulting a trusted plastic custom fabrications company can help provide more information about their replacement process services.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We’re glad we could help, John. Thanks so much for reading!

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  3. I’ve got a 1998 Caravelle 25 ft walk through windshield boat I Got 5 glasses around the windshield

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    1. Hey Bobby, to ensure we recommend the right seal for your windshield, we recommend you emailing us some photos of the windshield and a photo of the original seal that is currently on the boat. You can email those to us at contact@steelerubber.com and one of our product specialists will be able to determine which of our seals would be the best replacement. Thank you for reading!!

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  4. great Post! Thanks to providing us useful Information. I like this article very much.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We’re glad we could help! Thank you for reading, John!

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  5. i am looking for weatherstripping on 1978 carver boat with wood trim windows

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey there, thank you for reading our blog post! We have product specialists who can help you find the seals you are looking for, if you will email us at marine@steelerubber.com and one of our specialists will be in contact with you! Thank you for reaching out!

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