Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

[keepNitreel]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Mark, love the way that top turned out, I've been watching from the start & couldn't picture how nice it would be when done.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Mark, love the way that top turned out, I've been watching from the start & couldn't picture how nice it would be when done.

Sometimes I had a hard time believing it would get to this point looking this good too!

Good news! The OEM windshield weighs 47 lbs compared to 38 lbs for the glass in the hard top. Thats a 9 lbs savings in glass! That means there will only be about a 60 lbs gain in weight by adding the hard top to the boat!

Woo Hoo!

The cuddy tri-folding door was removed, and that weighs about 20 lbs, so the net gain for adding the hard top is only 40 lbs. Can't complain.

 

[keepNitreel]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Wondering what that hard top would look like on that MFG

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

I am beat today, but have to press on.

This morning the Starboard side window was installed without any issues.

Then started on the windshields. The windshields will be trimmed with 1" T molding. It came rolled in a loop, so I cut and heated the pieces with a hair dryer and they straightened out.

I realized cutting and trimming the corners will be rather messy after the glass is bedded down, so I'm pre-cutting and fitting the T-molding prior to bedding down the glass in adhesive.

This should give you and idea of what the finished trim will look like.

 

[redfury]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

I really like how that's looking. For some reason though, I want to see thin strips of teak across the top from front to back...

The T molding is going to really make it look complete.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Here are the latest updates:

Got the All Around light installed. Decided to go for a rear mount rather than up front because I was afraid it might be lighting up the bow at night and that would make night navigation harder. Made a nice rubber gasket to mount the light rather than sealer so its easy to remove when stored .

Found this nice double D hollow seal for the windshield windows. Should do a nice job of keeping water out.

And the windshield glass and T molding is installed. Just have to mount the twist latches on the inside, and the gas springs and the windshields are done.

Next weekend it goes on the boat. Then its wiring, interior lights, connect the steering cable, fill the tank and fire it up.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

I can't wait to see it installed! Looking great.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

No one is ever going to believe you fabbed that 100% by yourself.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

MAN GREAT JOB !!!! that reealy does look sharp there Mark, cant wait to see it on the boat !!! John

 

[redfury]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

No one is ever going to believe you fabbed that 100% by yourself.

I completely agree with that statement.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Nothing short of incredible Mark! You da man!!!! Now hurry up and get that thing mounted!!!!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

I am dying to get this on the boat, but it will have to wait until the weekend. I have too much to do and I'll need my 18 yr olds sons help lifting it on.

The interior has a coat of primer white, and its just going to have to wait until later this summer to get the headliner installed. Just don't have the time to do it before next week.

One detail that is giving me a real pain in the butt is the twist latches to keep the windows closed. I made the windshield frames a little smaller than the opening in the top so there would be no problems installing and alligning them. That part worked, but it makes for a problem with the twist latch. There are uneven gaps between the frame and the top when viewed from inside, and I havent been able to come up with a good spacer to span the distance between frame and top so the latch will work right.

Going to mcmaster.com to look at latches, maybe there is something that will work better.

Gas springs came yesterday. One was leaking, so I called Whitecap (who is in NJ) and they were very nice, checked inventory, and said a replacement will be shipped same day. Nice people at Whitecap. Have dealt with them before, and they are happy to give specs, dimensions, and discuss the use of their products. I like that.

Well, time to search for latches....

 

[chrishayes]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Keep on truckin Mark, Dont burn out! That is one NICE creation. I am dumbfounded at the professional appearance! I have thought all along that you duped us all by showing the pics of foam and rolls of 1708, then ordered a custom made top, painted it and claimed it as "made from scratch"!...

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Keep on truckin Mark, Dont burn out! That is one NICE creation. I am dumbfounded at the professional appearance! I have thought all along that you duped us all by showing the pics of foam and rolls of 1708, then ordered a custom made top, painted it and claimed it as "made from scratch"!...

My wife keeps asking me "Tell me again why you didn't just buy one?" LOL!

 

[Nico2112]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Wow

It's coming out real nice Mark!

The all around light looks great black

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

A few details...

Added these stainless steel window latches to keep the windows from vibrating open while on the highway and also during rough water. And a simple black ball knob to slide the window open/closed. Yeah, the glass needs cleaning .

Finally got to installing the gas springs to hold the windshield open. The windshield weighs about 12 lbs total, so I ordered a 20 lbs spring. After sitting open for about 3 or 4 minutes, it fell closed. I realize its not strong enough to hold the windshield open even on mildly rolling water. So Monday its a call to Whitecap Industries and ask if the springs can be returned for a stronger set. Probably 30 or 40 lb springs.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

The whole thing is incredible Mark..I could never undertake such a huge task!

I do have a question for you?
If you have that window open underway, any idea of how much headwind it can take? I pictured you doing 20MPH into a head on gust and it being ripped backwards..Just curious what ya have planned..(other than close the window! lol)

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

The whole thing is incredible Mark..I could never undertake such a huge task!

I do have a question for you?
If you have that window open underway, any idea of how much headwind it can take? I pictured you doing 20MPH into a head on gust and it being ripped backwards..Just curious what ya have planned..(other than close the window! lol)

The windshield windows are NOT to be opened while underway!!! I plan to have some sort of a line or metal strip that will hold them open about 3 or 4 inches so breeze can come through while underway, but not fully open.

Might put both 20 lbs springs on the ports side, and just use these simple lid stays to hold open the starboard side. If mounted down low, the windshield can open and lock about 8 " wide, and that might be just right for cruising. Plus the starboard side won't be used to access the bow because its over the helm and I don't want to be climbing over the dash to get outside. The port side is the one that will be used to access the bow, so it needs to open fully for ease of egress.

This is what will end up on the starboard side:

Tomorrow the boat needs a little work, then with some luck, the top will go on! Woo Hoo!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Mark- I wonder if it would be possible to have a hinge that allows the port glass to be swung all the way onto the top and lay flat and secure even while underway if desired? It could be secured strongly many ways.

Also on my dad's 24' Seaswirl we've had the same "weak pump" issue with an interior part that swings up to allow people to step down into the cabin without having to duck. It's one of the only things on that boat that's broken since the thing just collapses now. We'll have to get a stronger one as well.

Sounds like you will be in for a fun test drive soon.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

Huron Angler, that is something to think about. Thats what I like about these forums, people always have suggestions and ideas.

Got some help from my 18 yr old son James. He helped me take the Force off to thread in the end of a new steering cable. Then we put the top on.
Woo Hoo!

A large D bulb seal is used to seal the top to the boat. You might be able to see a thick black line all around the base of the top, thats the D seal.

Right now it only has a few bolts holding it on, seem to have misplaced 4 of the 8 bolts that hold it. Oh well.... Off to the hardware store...

The paint is close, but not an exact match. I was hoping for a better match. In the bright light it doesn't look off by much. The tinted windows look good with the tinted hatch.

Now the gas tank can be installed permanently. I didn't tighten the clamps and strap it down because it had to come out to get to the lower motor mount bolts. It was a good feeling to pull the bolts out of the transom and find bone dry dust come out with them. Looks like they used 4200 at the factory to seal the bolts. I did the same.

The gas springs are both on the port side now and it works really well. There is enough force to hold the window open even if bouncing around on the waves.

Its really hot outside. So I stopped and put on the AC and will wait until things cool a bit outside before going back to work.