How heavy is too heavy.

[jusfloatin]

Good day to all,
It's getting cooler up here in Alberta which has brought me rethink a new top for my 15' deep v fg.
This boat is used almost exclusively to trolling, I am considering getting a tall enough one that would allow a average size person (5'8" me) to stand up.
I realize there is always the + and - to all modifications which I think I would be willing to trade off for the enclosed cabin so to speak.
I know where ever I decide to get the work done will make new hoops to support the topper but this is where I would like to make changes.
I can make a frame which would suit my needs better and be less restrictive to the fishing rods. I will be making the frame out of 1x1 square hollow tube which brings me to my question about the frame.
How heavy would be too heavy?

Thanks for looking and have a great day.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

i had no problems with this one.

 

[mthieme]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

Yeah, that shouldn't be an issue. You're only talking about adding a couple pounds (at most) of aluminum.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

My intention is to use steel.

 

[oops!]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

i would expect when water is comming over top of the gunwhales....its too heavy !


your still fishin there?....its getting really cool at night here

are ya thinking heater?

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

i would expect when water is comming over top of the gunwhales....its too heavy !


your still fishin there?....its getting really cool at night here

are ya thinking heater?

We have been getting some beauty days still but they are not always on the days I get to go fishing on.
I was thinking of one of those Mr Buddy heaters mounted under the closed bow which I know is not a great idea but if hard mounted and only used when trolling I believe I have eliminated a certian amount of risk. At least that is what I have convinced myself.
Just being able to get out of the wind would keep me out there for a long while still.

 

[mthieme]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

i would expect when water is comming over top of the gunwhales....its too heavy !

Good rule of thumb.
But, I take it you've never pictures of a skipjack loaded up to the boom or a whaleback in the Great Lakes (although the latter didn't have gunwales).
Awesome images.

 

[oops!]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

ok....so im at a loss what you want to do....steel and canvas?.....steel alone?

steel and fiberglass?

can ya give us more info?

i would think what tashas daddy showed would be the simpelist........a full canvas that can be taken off on the sides or out the back.....

im making a rig that has canvas going right up to the wake tower....im using that as a frame then down to the back,

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

It would be a steel frame and a canvas top ( would not be revovable) with clear plastic that would enclose it. The clear plastic ( not sure exacly what to call it so I call it clear plastic) would be removable in sections. Windows, sides and back would be the sections I am talking about.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

Just get you a patio table unbrella. LOL That way you dont have to fish around the supports. I love when i see one of those on a boat! LOL

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

That's my whole idea of building the frame is to suit my needs and wants.
I can build a frame that would not obstuck but still be able to support an enclosed cover just usure how heavy of a frame would be too heavy.

 

[oops!]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

it really depends on the boat....if its a 12 foot alum and you have a 8 foot tall camper top on it that weighs 90 lbs....its gonna make the boat tippy.

but another consideration.....storage........if its permanant....there are other factors....like cold crack in the winter...(the plastic windows)...

id see if i could make it removable. or there is a guy here called mark 42 makin a fiberglass top for his boat.....called proj capri hard top has begun.

(you wouldnt be finished somthing like that this season)


if you just call the boat uph shops.....they do that kind of stuff in a day or two.....canvass.....frame and all

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

I wish I could figure out how to add a link as I know I am not explaing myself good enough.
I thank all for there posts.

I will be building the frame later today and I have hopes of getting a picture to post some time in the next day or two.


oops the boat sits in the shop when not in use. The enclosed topper is to keep me warm as the cold hurts more the older I get.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

Not sure where you are in AB but any good tent shop will have tent poles of all sizes just for building things like this. Northwest tent and awning in Edmonton should have everything you need. It would be nice to have it enclosed when it's cold but I'd sure want to take it down for the summer.You might want to explore a few options before you build a permanent structure. Besides you only got a couple weeks before your gonna need a sled and auger for fishin here. hahahaha

 

[oops!]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

i was going to suggest northwest tent...its by 124 th st and between 111 and 118 ave i think......

to add photos.....go to photobucket.....(its free)....and up load from your computer.......resize or set the default to 640 x 480......then copy the img tag...and just post it in your link....like this...

the next one is january-february in vegas....

notice in vegas at that time of year.......the water isnt stiff?

forget the date code on the pics.....i never set that thing

 

[Mark42]

Re: How heavy is too heavy.

Stop at the home center and look at pvc pipe. PVC comes in white and grey, the grey is for outdoor use. The white will work just fine if it doesn't sit outdoors 24/7. It took 16 years for some white PVC in my back yard to finally crack from full time sun exposure. And a coat of paint will make it last forever. And PVC pipe is cheap. The bends are the expensive part.

Consider making a frame from pvc the size and shape you want using 1.5 or 2". The material to cover it can be had for about $6 a yard for average boat cover fabric, and a bit more for clear plastic. It would be easy to attach snaps to the pvc frame and snap on sections of fabric and clear plastic. Would not be very expensive, and would be fast and easy to assemble. Snaps are easy to attach to fabric, even heavy fabric.

This website has all the snaps and fabric and plastic needed for you to explore the possabilities and make an estimate.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/product_listing.asp_Q_CatID_E_419_A_SubCatID_E_487_A_ProdID_E_3338