16' SS rebuild questions

[veilside180sx]

A couple of questions...

Has anyone built a hardtop for their SS?

If not...is anyone using a bimini they can stand up underneath and does it catch the wind blowing the boat around?

Anyone else use aluminum when they rebuilt their flooring?

Tuna tower type rod holders?

 

[veilside180sx]

Re: 16' SS rebuild questions

In case anyone is wondering, I know a lot of this is a little unorthodox.

I have a ruined bimini from the PO, and would much prefer a removable hardtop.

The tuna tower is preferable in this case imo for storing rods as it keeps them out of the way on the deck, crab davit, and I can possibly mount a wakeboard tow hook from it.

All of this would be ridiculous if I had to pay someone else to build it, but I own a fab shop so that's not an issue.

I'm going to pipe in heaters under the dash to heat the cabin for cold days of sturgeon/salmon fishing.

Right now the boat is all stripped, but I'll create a build thread when it all starts going back together.

 

[N1265]

Re: 16' SS rebuild questions

A hard top on an open bow boat ? interesting to say the least.

But I wonder if you could bolt together a couple of tops from a golf cart and fab something together, they should be pretty light and easy to mount side curtians to....

 

[veilside180sx]

Re: 16' SS rebuild questions

I'll make the top out .065 aluminum sheet (may go .040) and 1.5" .120 wall tubing.

 

[N1265]

Re: 16' SS rebuild questions

sounds ok, hope you take pictures...

 

[86 century]

Re: 16' SS rebuild questions

Sound like a good idea only thing that comes to mind is the weight up that high.
I get blown around pretty good with my bimini up but nothing a 40# anchor can't handle.
Good Luck

 

[veilside180sx]

Re: 16' SS rebuild questions

Sound like a good idea only thing that comes to mind is the weight up that high.
I get blown around pretty good with my bimini up but nothing a 40# anchor can't handle.
Good Luck

Getting blown around is definately a concern, and frankly the only worry about raising the center of gravity after the build.

The main thing I guess, is I can build one out of aluminum for less than I can make/buy one out of sunbrella fabric and will never have to address it again. Had the PO's bimini full curtain setup been in good shape, I probably wouldn't go through the hassle though.

The only piece of the cover that was in acceptable condition was the bow spray skirt. (which basically looks new)