Old work, new work. Cockpit overhead.

Some previous owner had installed a Regular 2x4 top with galvanized joist hanger brackets, and covered with a vinyl floor covering to waterproof it. Lasted since at least 1996. Has been getting pretty punky over last couple years. So I stripped it off.

Before

From astern.

In process of making new (albeit slightly narrower) overhead. Decided to make it the same width as the existing coaming of the Flybridge so we stopped whacking pilings while alongside a dock.

Now to take it to boat next weekend for a test fit then back home to glass the top and sides.

I see many people with soft tops, and stainless frames. It was hard to decide. But the absolute joy of stepping out of the cabin on a rainy day under a hard top can’t be beat.

NOW THAT looks mighty nice!

Indeed, stepping out on a rainy day and not getting wet is a thrill in itself

Im watching to see how it all looks at the end.

About what does it weigh? How will you attach it all the to the boat?

Thanks.

Tim

Been a BUSY spring / summer.

Have one more coat of gel coat to top coat this one. A few imperfections in the glass that can’t be seen from 10’ away. Attaching it next weekend. Weighs about 85 pounds.

looks great John. What plywood thickness and Fg layup did you do?

Frame made up of 5/4 mahogany around perimeter, long leaf fir stringers, 1/4” marine plywood. Gorilla glue, 3” SS screws, I used the original after laminate of 3 X 3/8” ply which was molded into the aft curve.
4oz cloth on all corners, 10oz cloth over all. Two layers resin with filler added to sand on top. Two layers gelcoat. Thinking I should have added a layer of mat on top. But past that. It’s just as a rainproof cockpit cover. Nice to walk out on the back porch and stay dry.


Have to make the hatch coaming after. Want to have it 'press fit' into the companionway, no holes in top or sides. Thinking 4200 to fix it, and maybe stainless straps down to underside to keep watertight surface.

Looks very nice.

kokopelliTim said:

NOW THAT looks mighty nice!

Indeed, stepping out on a rainy day and not getting wet is a thrill in itself

Im watching to see how it all looks at the end.

About what does it weigh? How will you attach it all the to the boat?

Thanks.

Tim

Click to expand...

I see that you have a slightly different flybridge component than I do. Mine is not as far aft as yours. I have to attach along the athwartship face similar to yours, but mine is closer to being in line with the cabin edge. Same plane as yours, but mine does not have as much overhang as yours.

Ok, installed.

Sort of missed the gelcoat matching. Bummer

In driveway on the second coat I thought: there’s NO way my boat is that yellow.....

Sure enough it wasn’t! She’s even more pale yellow than I gave her credit for. Oh well. Still heads and tails better than the old white painted, yellow linoleum top that had to go.

Final weight 78 LBs. (Without the hatch)

Raised forward edge to top of flybridge component. Rain flows off aft edge now instead of mainly sides. Debating gutters. Maybe some stick on PVC to try.

Looks great. I put some stick on J strip gutters on the under side of our teak rub rails. The PO had the rub rails extended out about 3” and with the J strips on the bottom they act as a drip edge so the water no longer runs down the side of the boat. My teak rub rails have a large black PVC rub rail on them so I used black J strips and you don’t even see them unless you get really close. They make the J strips in white also but they said that the white one stain easily. With your hardtop you might look at some aluminum drip strips and have them powder coated to match your color.

That looks great.