Looks nice, but looks like a lot of work. Keep us updated.
Made all the templates,
overall is 10x10
3 sheets 1/2" Nida core 4x8
Step one, cutout the contour of bridge deck to match the top with templates.
Next build a jig with the curve of top, then glass
IF built to walk on or use as a fly bridge , the 10x10 will be about 250-300 lbs depending on layup.
IF just a sun shade and solar carrier ,, it will still need help to getup in place.
An easy fun job , till the lifting starts.
How flexible is Nidacore? Do you have to make relief cuts to get it to bend to jig?
It bends reasonably ok if you need to make a tight bend you can score it.
Incidentally the 4x8 sheets were $57 at boat builders supply
Dang. At $57 per sheet, I might start thinking about extending my pilothouse again. I did my roof about 7 years ago, no issues since. It’s a worthwhile project, for sure.
Thats sounds really cheap, good for you! Are you going to use 1708 Mat once on the jig?
Lipets,
Greetings! I am just about to embark on the very same project, almost the exact size. My tentative first glance is 10x14, looking to stay on the lighter side as our main purpose is a permanent weather cover and solar mount. Take and post lots of pics, and what materials quantities/cost you see. Would love to see how your methods work!
We put a hardtotop hardtop on our present boat and a previous boat.... . It comes in panels about 2’ wide and you install it piece by piece on the bimini frame. .
IF built to walk on or use as a fly bridge , the 10x10 will be about 250-300 lbs depending on layup.
IF just a sun shade and solar carrier ,, it will still need help to getup in place.
An easy fun job , till the lifting starts.
What are they made of? Something translucent by the look of it. Been there long? All panels still present and correct?We put a hardtotop hardtop on our present boat and a previous boat. I installed it in a day with a helper. We love it. It comes in panels about 2’ wide and you install it piece by piece on the bimini frame. On this boat the hardtop is pretty big so I had to have 1 1/4” s/s bows made to support the top. It came in a box about 14’ long and I could pick it up.
They are some type of polycarbonate panel. They are white but light comes through pretty well. They have an aluminum extrusion on the sides. You take your bimini frame and get the tops in a line horizontally so the panels will lay on the frame fore and aft. Then you take stainless steel clamps and screw the clamps around the bimini frame and through the aluminum extrusions. My first one was on a Trojan F32 and wasn’t as large as the current one. I went with the cheaper version that had a vinyl edging around it. Since the one for my President is so much larger I had to go with the upgraded version that has an aluminum extrusion around the edges. I had 1” bimini bows on both boats, they worked fine with the smaller top on the Trojan. On the President with the way larger top the 1” bows were not strong enough, in my opinion, so I had 4 bows made out of 1.25” stainless. The top is rock solid now. The boat has been tied up to my dock here at the house in over 60 mph winds and I have had no problems at all except me worrying about it during the winds. Now I just check the dock lines and really don’t give the top a thought. The company is a rather small business and don’t reply as quickly as I would like but it is what it is. Both times I bought the tops I drove to their shop and picked them up since they are located here in Michigan. I may mount some solar panels on the top and the hardtop over my sundeck but don’t really need them at this time since we are only doing local cruising at this time. Overall I like the tops or I would not have bought the sexond one. They are easy to install and are warranted for 10 years. No affiliation just a happy customer.
11' wide X13' long , 5/8" corecell. 3 layers of 6oz. mat on top. one layer on bottom 60lbs.