Converting to a Pilot House

[Bert]

I have a walkaround cabin that I would like to convert to a 3 sided pilot house, leaving the back open. This would be very similar to a 2120 Parker sport cabin. What would be the best material to use, something like nida core or plywood and glass it? It will be built on top of the existing cabin by removing the windshield and setting the new structure on top of the cabin. It will be tall enough to stand under; with a window on the front and each side. Looking for any tips or ideas to help make this go smoothly.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Converting to a Pilot House

Here's 1 Idea,......
http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=26;gtid=1235894

It's covered up in my avatar,....
But I went with an Aluminum Frame,+ Vinyl Coverings for Mine.......
The Protection of a Full Cabin,..... Yet Convertable to Wide Open.......

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Converting to a Pilot House

Nida core or divinacell (sp?) would make for the lighest weight of course....

Ever thought about making a simple mold for single skin (no core) fiberglass construction.. If the structure was simple enuff, that would be the way i'd go..

Possibly build the pilot house in such a way that it could be fastened to the existing cabin only with fastners and some sealant, rather than being glassed onto the existing cabin..

 

[Bert]

Re: Converting to a Pilot House

Snapperbait, you may be on to something with the single skin. I had not thought about doing it that way, do you think it would be strong enough? I am planning on fastening it onto the existing cabin, I am going to remove the windshield and attach it along the 3 sides that the windshield was attached to.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Converting to a Pilot House

Strong enuff.. Yep.. If you use enuff material and carefully design the part..

I'll be building something along the lines of a pilot house for mine, hopefully before summer...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Converting to a Pilot House

save an add on ship shape tv yesterday, the were conversions for a pilot house, a plug and play variety. can't find a link tho.