Project "1600 Capri Hard Top" has begun!

[tallcanadian]

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

What a great looking boat. Nice job done. A lot of blood sweat and tears, certainly paid off. Awesome Mark.

 

[drewpster]

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

Leave the old radio and add a disco ball and some L.E.D spots! The kids would love it. Retro!
I friend suggested to me that you attach your headliner using 1/2x1/2 wood strips epoxied to the underside of your hardtop. You can then drill in to the strips and use push nuts, (christmas trees) to attach it to the inside of the roof. No fasteners will show on the outside of the liner. You can also use the small gap between the liner and the top to route wiring for an over head light or any other wiring that needs to go from one side to the other.
To make it work you would have to back the foam and vinyl with a thin fiberboard to give the christmas trees something to hold on to. He also suggested doubling the foam thickness around the perimeter of the liner to hide the gap at the edges. (he's a pretty good interior guy)

 

[Mark42]

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

Drewpster, thanks for passing along those suggestions. I'm still planning, so every bit helps me make a decision.

Here are the latest pics:

Added two power outlets (for cell phone chargers, portable spots lights, etc) to the left of the wheel. These are 100% stainless steel so they will not corrode in the salt air. Also added three fuse holders just above the ignition switch to fuse the windshield wipers, interior lights, and power outlets.

New double dome light on the ceiling replaces the factory single light behind the helm that was broken.

Hard to tell from the pic, but that is an eye ball spot over the helm. Have to get a red bulb so I can read charts while under way at night. Used the plastic wire loom to hide the wires until the inside is upholstered in vinyl.

Put two dome lights, one on each side of the hard top for general lighting. Also added a strap handle with the windshield window so its easy to pull closed. Also cut out a section of the wood bow in the ceiling (upper right in the pic) because I was always whacking my head on it when I leaned forward.

Here are those PYRAMID MDC7 6.5" round speakers.

 

[Mark42]

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

Here are some shots of it all lit up at night. Can't wait to be anchored at night just hanging out playing some tunes down low while snacking and watching a fishing pole, eating dinner with my wife while the kids sleep in the cuddy. This is going to be great!

Need to get some LED bulbs to replace the incandescent bulbs. Also took a Magic Eraser to the no slip dash top, and some other areas of gel coat that got dingy and dirty from the project. Now they are look like new again!

Taking it to the shore again next week, so today was clean up and details time. Also got the wiper arms mounted and wired up. They work great, but I will probably order the larger 14" blades for a wider sweep.

 

[Rickairmedic]

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

Mark she is commingg together great . The lights look great should be nice when out at night to be able to see where your going inside .


Rick

 

[redfury]

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

When you are done with that top, people are going to ask you how you got that option with your boat, they didn't have that choice when they bought theirs! It's starting to really come together...the finishing touches are really making it look like the pro job that it is!

 

[dorelse]

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

Mark - What are you doing with the ceiling? Adding a headliner once the electrical is complete?

 

[Mark42]

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

Mark - What are you doing with the ceiling? Adding a headliner once the electrical is complete?

The headliner went up in price so much that plain vinyl will be used. The ceiling is smooth enough that it will look nice. The walls are rougher, and the vinyl will be glued to 1/4" foam board then glued to the top. The interior from the angle braces back was faired out, and will not be vinyl. There is enough left over paint to do that section in the outside color.

Things are really moving quick now.

 

[ezmobee]

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

I don't think there is anyone out there having as much fun with a 16' cuddy as you guys are. Great project!

 

[Mark42]

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

This weekend a guy saw me working on the boat in the driveway. He stopped to ask about the boat. He had seen it only with a cover over it and wondered what it was. Showed him the top and interior. He was impressed, said he never got glass work to look that good. Turns out he ran a fishing charter boat for years in the Cape Cod area, so he knew a bit about boats and fishing. He thought it was the neatest little boat he saw. Also thought I needed a bigger gas tank! (17 gallons didn't impress him at all)

Little things like that guy's visit really makes me feel that this is something special and well worth the effort.

 

[Huron Angler]

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

Have you considered a larger tank or is the 17 enough for what you're using her for? With the 1/3 out, 1/3 in, 1/3 extra rule that leaves you 5.6 gallons to drive each way.

Maybe if you were running way offshore fishing then a 30 gallon tank would be better but you can always throw an extra 6.6 gallon tank in one of the storage holds and be just fine.

Have you tried standing on the hardtop to test the strength yet?

The interior lighting looks great by the way. Hope they don't attract too many 'skeeters

 

[Mark42]

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

Have you considered a larger tank or is the 17 enough for what you're using her for? With the 1/3 out, 1/3 in, 1/3 extra rule that leaves you 5.6 gallons to drive each way.

Maybe if you were running way offshore fishing then a 30 gallon tank would be better but you can always throw an extra 6.6 gallon tank in one of the storage holds and be just fine.

Have you tried standing on the hardtop to test the strength yet?

The interior lighting looks great by the way. Hope they don't attract too many 'skeeters

It came with a 9 gallon, and I did have to keep an eye on it. With the 17 gallon, it should do fine. Like you said, there is always the option of bringing more fuel. I do have 3 and 6 gallon portables that all have the same OMC connector that I put on the Force.

As far as the strength, I haven't tried standing on it. But when it was in the garage on the floor, I did sit on it with my feet on the floor. It didn't complain. To stand on it I think it would need another layer of 1708 in and out. That could add another 30 lbs to the weight easy. Mostly due to the epoxy resin weight.

My wife looked at the lights and said "whats that for, to attract bugs?" DOH! So far, when we anchor in the bay bugs are not a problem. I guess we will find out!

 

[redfury]

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

mosquito netting takes care of any bug problem and won't take up much storage space when not in use!

Or, use yellow lights!

 

[Mark42]

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

BTW, back in July of 08 the thread discussion was about how to mount windshield windows. There was a great sketch posted about using T molding as trim. The member went to a bit of trouble to make the sketch, scan and post his idea to help another member.

That member is Drewpster. And my hat is off to Drewpster for the idea, I used it (sans Z channel) and it worked out great. Also a rather inexpensive alternative to aluminum trim.

Here is a pic of T molding being installed.

Thanks Drewpster and to everyone else that helped me out with this project!

 

[Yar.]

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

That is fantastic! I like the lighting and I am sure that you are going to love having the extra protection from the elements!

Great job and post some pics when you do the trim!

Cheers,
Yar. (Lurked this thread for a long time!)

 

[tallcanadian]

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

A section from an artcle i read.

Hot Tip: LED Lights Don't Attract Bugs

Apparently LED lights do not give off ultraviolet light?unlike CFLs and incandescent lights. Ultraviolet light is what attracts bugs, not the yellow glow which we would have assumed. This means that any LED light would save you from outdoor evening pests, not just the Candelas or the lovely Luau. A win-win situation: no bugs and low power consumption LEDs. The best part is that if you invest in LED lamps you can use them indoor and out.

 

[Mark42]

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

A section from an artcle i read.

Hot Tip: LED Lights Don't Attract Bugs

Apparently LED lights do not give off ultraviolet light?unlike CFLs and incandescent lights. Ultraviolet light is what attracts bugs, not the yellow glow which we would have assumed. This means that any LED light would save you from outdoor evening pests, not just the Candelas or the lovely Luau. A win-win situation: no bugs and low power consumption LEDs. The best part is that if you invest in LED lamps you can use them indoor and out.

Wow! That is great news! Still looking for the lowest price retailer of led lights. There are quite a few to browse through on the net.

 

[drewpster]

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

Thanks for the mention Mark. Its such a cool project. The lights look great! I am with redfury in that it looks factory, only better.
We weekend marine fabricators take on such huge projects it certainly helps for us to keep each other inspired. I can't tell you how many times I have gained tid-bits of creativity and down right technical knowledge from you and all the members of this forum. I am proud to give back a little of the volumes you have all given to me.
BTW- The LED info is a great piece of info! Its like bug heaven around here this time of year.

 

[jerseysportfisher]

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

very interesting and looks damn good, i am curious if your noticing any stability issue on the drift. I'm sorry if you mentioned any of this earlier, but what was the total weight of the top ? and did divinycell cross your mind for the build ?

 

[Mark42]

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

very interesting and looks damn good, i am curious if your noticing any stability issue on the drift. I'm sorry if you mentioned any of this earlier, but what was the total weight of the top ? and did divinycell cross your mind for the build ?

Thanks, Jerseysportfisher!

I fully expected to feel a big increase in drift and lean, but to my surprise, I really noticed no change from running with the navy top up. Even when making some really tight turns at speed that leaned the boat over far.

The weight works out like this:

The top with 1/4" tempered glass windows weighed in at 98 lbs. (60lbs for top, 38 lbs for the glass).

The OEM Capri windshield and side glass weighs 47 lbs. That gives a net gain of 51 lbs to the boat, which is really a rather small increase in weight for a hard top.

It may grow another 10 lbs or so depending on what head liner gets installed to finish off the interior. Which is probably the weight of the navy vinyl top and aluminum tubes that wasn't included earlier.

I thought of divinycell and some other foams that are polyester compatible, but the price was too much.

BTW, those white marine speakers worked out great, except that the screws included are not stainless! Got a few orange dots on the white plastic grills. Will have stainless screws installed before next outing.