DIY air dam 2017 GS20

[Tigerxj]

So early season boating has been a little cool, and our youngest (2yo) isn’t to be trusted sitting in the bow, so I tried to source an air dam for the GS20 we share with my dad. No luck finding it aftermarket or at nautique parts or anywhere else, so after looking at a few pictures, I decided I could do it myself for way less than factory option.

I bought some aluminum u-channel 1/2” x 1/2” x48” length. Cut that in half drilled a few holes, painted white, and then line the back with gorilla glue 2-sided tape. The holes I drilled in case we decide to add hardware later.

bought a sheet of king starboard from an online retailer, they cut custom sizes, with round over the edges and ease the corners. However, the GS20 has a slight taper, from about 17.5” to 15.5” over 27” height. So I bought a sheet 1/2” thick x 27” tall x 24” wide for about $80. I also bought a foam posterboard to use as a template and proof of concept.

you can cut the starboard easily with a table saw or circ saw. I used my router to ease the edges. Fit like a glove and the factory weatherstripping helps hold it tight. All in less than $100, and the gorilla tape is secure enough I can’t pull it loose, so I’m not gonna bother with screws.

[SilentSeven]

Nice. I need do this was well. Where did you source your u-channel from?

[wayoutthere]

Nice job, that starboard is some good stuff, i get mine from a small local company called surfix.
silent 7, online for all your metal shopping.

[Tigerxj]

Lowes had it in stock. Maybe $10 for that piece. I cut it with my metal chop saw, but you could do it with an angle grinder. Rounded the corners over with the grinder so there are no sharp points. Painted white you don’t notice them. It was seriously great this weekend. This time of year in SC we can have mornings in the 50s and afternoons in the 80s, so when we get out their early it’s great to cut down the wind. And you can have a conversation. The best part is it was so cheap, and so easy to install the u-channel. I tried to pull it just to see how secure it was. It’s not moving. They had some stronger stuff but it was black, so I stuck with the clear tape so it would hide better. I’m not gonna worry about any hardware or drilling any holes at this point. I think that option is like $300-$500 on some of these boats

[SilentSeven]

Thanks. I was asking mostly about the channel source as there was some prior discussions on using a Malibu part for this. Apparently the Malibu channel had some cushioning in the U channel that would keep the insert from rattling. From your description, looks like you were able to get a tight fit with no rattles.

On my 206, it's likely a bit more complicated as there's no clear place where you can add a straight piece from the floor to windshield. The factory setup is a snap in piece of canvas that fits the curves but it's kinda hokey vs a solution like this. Its also a PITA to attach the canvas snaps to the windshield base; a key part of cutting down the blow through.

I'll have to go look at my bow setup again and see what possible. You've motivated me.

[Tigerxj]

Yes our 206 had the snap in air dam that frankly was a pain so we never used it. I think if you had a jigsaw you could cut a board that would fit the contours of the bow seating in the 206. Just have to make sure it lines up with the windshield, and maybe some weather stripping there if not equipped (which the GS has)

regarding the rattles, we have none. The tapered shape helps on the GS. I cut it a little long initially and took about another 1/8” off it, to make sure the weatherstripping was snug but not too tight. Given the taper, I took the extra off the bottom, so it would slide further down the tracks. If you “bottom out” on the angles, you could always take any extra off the top. I left the top alone since it was the factory edge, and would be easier to ignore a cut that wasn’t perfectly straight on the bottom. Of course the router round over but helped clean a bunch of that up. The other issue with having some sort of foam in there is snagging an edge as you slide it in. Even with the rounded edges I think you could snag. Felt tape might work though, I’ve used that on squeaking/rattling dashboards before

people use these for filet tables for cleaning fish. It looks like it will hold a knife mark more than UHMW plastic (cutting boards) so we have plastic knives we take on the boat, and we used it to slice open hoagies for subs for lunch, chopping fruits and veggies for snacks, etc. don’t know how it holds up to stains yet, so we haven’t really risked that yet.