Hardtop project

[Wave34]

Who has a rigid roof on their boat?

I would like to make my own hard top on my Signature 260. Full lenght, 8.5 ft.

Right now I have flexible solar panels held by bungees on the bimini, but I'm not satisfied with the performance. Rigid panels are more efficient.

I would like to make a structure using 2in aluminum tubing and either a plastic sheet or aluminum 1/8 sheet for the top. Then, the rigid panels bolted over that.

I have experience using a bender. I made my roll cage in my race car years ago.

My questioning is about trailering the boat at highway speed.
I trailer it a lot including a yearly trip of 4000 miles.

Will the roof act as a parachute ?
Will it destroy itself?

Pictures are of my boat and some examples of what I would like to make.

 

[mr 88]

Shouldn't be , if it is fairly level with the shearline of the hull , as in it's pretty much pointing straight into the wind when going fast . They have them on CCs that run 70 mph all day long among other hull designs
Definitely aluminum for roof material , for a thousand reasons. .

 

[froggy1150]

Fwiw... 21' cabin cruiser..fiberglass v hull.
Obviously it has a hardtop(fiberglass) so not apples to apples but out here when it gets upwards of 110 deg we stay comfortable, between the shade and the hull in the cooler water. My buddies have nicer boats but they roast in the heat

 

[Scott Danforth]

My current job has me working with many of the tower and arch companies. the biggest issue is the fatigue cracks that develop in many towers if not properly designed, especially when pounding waves at 70 mph when heading 150 miles out.

yes the top will act as a sail panel when on the road. however that is less of a concern than hitting overhead objects such as low clearance bridges, etc.

Nearly all hard tops are fiberglass or carbon fiber sitting on an aluminum, fiberglass, or stainless structure. the fiberglass top is usually done in 2-3 pieces and then post mold bonded together. all the structural points are reinforced and there is never enough wire runs or access panels

Nearly all hard top structures are made with the forward ( pilot house ) section and aft (leaning post section ) as separate. some have glass, many have sail tracks to put in isinglass panels. the deck sole, console and gunwales are usually reinforced where the structure is glued/screwed to the deck, console, gunwales and leaning post.

you will be many many many hours and dollars ahead to find a hard top and structure from a salvage boat and modify what you need to fit than making from scratch

 

[redneck joe]

i'd not be convinced the effort would return the results enough for me. If the last two pics are of you boat you have more room for more panels, i'd stay there. And get a diff color bimini

 

[Wave34]

Shouldn't be , if it is fairly level with the shearline of the hull , as in it's pretty much pointing straight into the wind when going fast . They have them on CCs that run 70 mph all day long among other hull designs
Definitely aluminum for roof material , for a thousand reasons. .

Thanks for your input.

 

[Wave34]

My current job has me working with many of the tower and arch companies. the biggest issue is the fatigue cracks that develop in many towers if not properly designed, especially when pounding waves at 70 mph when heading 150 miles out.

yes the top will act as a sail panel when on the road. however that is less of a concern than hitting overhead objects such as low clearance bridges, etc.

Nearly all hard tops are fiberglass or carbon fiber sitting on an aluminum, fiberglass, or stainless structure. the fiberglass top is usually done in 2-3 pieces and then post mold bonded together. all the structural points are reinforced and there is never enough wire runs or access panels

Nearly all hard top structures are made with the forward ( pilot house ) section and aft (leaning post section ) as separate. some have glass, many have sail tracks to put in isinglass panels. the deck sole, console and gunwales are usually reinforced where the structure is glued/screwed to the deck, console, gunwales and leaning post.

you will be many many many hours and dollars ahead to find a hard top and structure from a salvage boat and modify what you need to fit than making from scratch

Thank you for sharing your experience.
The uprights will be aluminum tubing, and I will install an aluminum plate under the fiberglass as reinforcement

 

[Wave34]

i'd not be convinced the effort would return the results enough for me. If the last two pics are of you boat you have more room for more panels, i'd stay there. And get a diff color bimini

Yes. The last 2 pictures are from my boat.
I will try to add a 4th panel this summer. But I doubt it will be enough.

A hard panel gives more electricity than a flexible one.