Hard Boat top - project idea

[ScottCK]

Thinking about / planning a project for next summer. I hunted out of an Outlaw boat several years ago and the one feature I loved was the fiberglass top (lifted and rotated on a single axes front and back pieces) Thinking about making something like that for my current boat. The opening is about 6’ at the back and 3’ at the front and about 15’ long. Looking for input on how to best make the parts out of fiberglass. I am thinking some sort of foam core with an aluminum post (pivot point) and pieces of aluminum running out the length of the tops for strength. Required properties is that it has to be light (so I can lift it to position the height on the pivot pole) and strong so it does not break down with normal road bouncing, or when lifted on the pivot pole. The biggest issue is I don’t have a way to weld aluminum. It will also act a top to keep out rain and trash during the off season.

Thoughts on what would be required???

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Scott~

Got a photo or a rough sketch?

I'm guessing you'll need to make a jig over which you can lay up your foam and 'glass sandwich and that it should have some crown in it.

Also - please use a 12 or 14 font size for us old-eyed guys....

All the best,

SJS

 

[ScottCK]

this is the best I could find....

View attachment 4023136_20141013141617977_1_LARGE-1 (002).jpgView attachment 2017-11-11-09-40-25--679177925 (002).jpg

and my opening (don't have measurements) Bench is no longer in the boat. Thinking maybe 4 parts - one off each corner (can leave front side off if want to, and they might store ok in boat if designed right.


View attachment P1210003.JPG

 

[Jon Yenulonis]

While I read this thread a couple times, I'm not sure exactly what you're looking for...

Here is my version. What I would consider a "hard top" with a hatch cover. This one is made in pieces so it is easily removable, an aluminum frame with light weight plywood, but can be modified for fiberglass...

Jon





View attachment 2014-01-04 14.43.50.jpgView attachment 2014-01-02 09.54.30.jpg

 

[ScottCK]

Jon, I think what you have is what I am going for. (hard to tell if the cover is still on in the photo of your boat with the blind up.) Just worried that wood would not be the best option as I have a big area to cover (6' x 15') I am trying to figure out if I could make a couple molds out of foam sheets to layup the fiberglass. That would give me a flat surface to work with but I am guessing I will have to paint it with something so I can put on the mold release. Basically, build 4 female molds (one for each corner) as the mockup, then layout the fiberglass in each. I know I will have to oversize the molds slightly because the actual parts will be a little smaller than the mold cavity.

Mostly, I would only use the tops when hunting, if it is raining. the rest of the time they would just be a boat cover and would be left on the trailer when I go out.