Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

[jmccall001]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Looks great. Do you forsee problems using aluminum rather than stainless? Heading down the road with my sea ray and I have an extra bimini frame that might work if I want aluminum. Your thoughts please.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

John, I have never actually seen a stainless bimini top, all I have encountered are aluminum. But I know that the stainless does weigh more and is harder to cut and bend. In fact the few times I have had to cut stainless, it is very difficult compared to regular steel.<br /><br />I plan on giving the aluminum a clear coat as added salt water protection.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Its been a few weeks since I worked on this because other things around the house take my time. But so far so good. I have cut the material to fit the top in two pieces. One piece fits between the windshield and first bow, the second piece covers the remainder of the top. The two pieces have been test fitted by stapling them together an fittin on the frame. Fits very nice, better than I thought. I borrowed a sewing machine from my Mom in law and went to start sewing when I discovered I need to buy another bobbin empty spool to wind up my thread on (its on a spool right now) and maybe larger needle. But I played with the machine on some top scraps to see how it handles the material. No problem.<br /><br />Also picked up a 30" Taylor Made top slide track kit. Still not sure if I want to mount track on top or inside of gunnel. I have top mounts for both top and side mounting. Now this presents a bit of a problem because right now the frame is resting on top of the gunnel with a top mount. This is the position the material was cut from. If I go with the side mounts there will be a small change in the angle of the front most panel of the top cover and it might cause wrinkles in the cover. After I get the top sewn up where the staples are I will be better able to determine if there will be any issue with moving the slide mount to the inside of the gunnel. The top will be lower by about 2" if I move it to the inside gunnel mount.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Was wondering the other day how you made out. Post a pic when you git ur done.

 

[BillP]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

It definitely saves work to have the frame mounted before making patterns, etc. Maybe at this point you can take the slack up without sewing by adjusting the individual frames. Otherwise it's called "dart" time.<br /><br />Location of track will depend on where you want the top to fold. Normal on boats like this fold over the windshied but some fold them back at the splashwell. Just place the tract so the frame clears and side or horizontal mount doesn't matter.<br /><br />One note on sewing. The machine MAY have problems when running over staples...even my mini industrial machine (Sailrite clone) with walking foot has a problem with it. Staples can snag the thread and frey it or slowdown/stop the fabric from feeding through. It can cause a lot of aggrevation. I place staples so they don't get run over and it works better.

 

[BillP]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

It definitely saves work to have the frame mounted before making patterns, etc. Maybe at this point you can take the slack up without sewing by adjusting the individual frames. Otherwise it's called "dart" time.<br /><br />Location of track will depend on where you want the top to fold. Normal on boats like this is over the windshied but some fold them back at the splashwell. Just place the tract so the frame clears and side or horizontal doesn't matter.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Thanks for the tips, Bill. I placed the staples on the ouside edge of where the seam is to be sewn so they shouldn't be in the way. Marked the seam lines with kiddie washable markers (have lots of "washable" markers, crayons, etc in my house!) <br /><br />Any suggestion on how wide to make the stitch? <br /><br />I will probably end up with the track on top of the gunnel because I can see how the frame will bind/rub the gunnel when folding down (if mounted on side) due to the frame being wider than the gunnel at the top bows. <br /><br />I want to make the leading snap edge of the top reinforced to prevent the snaps from tearing out. The material will wrap around the sides of the windshield frame just a little, but enough that the material needs to be cut to match the curve of the windshield frame. So I think if I cut a matching 1 or 2" wide piece of material and sew it to the underside of the top it should give the snaps something to hold on to. Also the finished edges will be rolled under and stitched. Wondering if there should be some piping in the finished edge for looks?

 

[BillP]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Do you mean how long to make the (straight)stitches? If so, make them as long as your machine will do. It makes the material pucker less and sewing easier. Most canvas shops max out the length to what their machines will do, 5mm being the norm in industrials. Home machines are around 2mm max stitch length.<br /><br />For the edges, make it easy on yourself. Fold the edge of the material a yardstick width and staple along the center. Then run two rows of stitches. No, you don't need piping this way because the edge is a rolled finish. However, if you are sewing layers on the edge you may want to use binding (the narrow white edges commonly seen on boat tops)to make a finished edge...but it's a BIG hassle if you don't have an attachement for sewing binding.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> Do you mean how long to make the (straight)stitches?

Yep, that is what I meant. Thanks again for the tips. I'm going to pick up extra bobbins and heavy needle tonight on my way home. Walmart probably has them. Need to practice a bit. I can take my time, don't need the top done until August vacation.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Latest progress....<br /><br />Been marking, cutting and fitting the top. Here's a shot of the top after sewing the front and rear pannels together. <br /><br />

<br /><br />Will see how much I can get done this weekend. Still have snaps to do on windshield and top, straps, slide track, and probalby some other stuff I forgot about. At any rate, it better be done come next Friday night cause that's when I going on vacation.

 

[BillP]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

You got it and getting a good fit is the hardest part. Finish at windshied and aft end of fabric first. Then mount on the boat and take up slack with darts on the sides at each frame. You can also adjust the two secondary frames along the mounting frame to help tighten it up before darting. <br /><br />Those $2 spring clamps from HomeDepot are perfect for holding fabric on the frame while you measure. They will make this part of the job MUCH easier.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Bill,<br /><br />I'm going to get a second set of hands this morning from my wife. I'll take your advice and do the windshield and aft ends next. I'm thinking that the windshield w/snaps should be done before finishing the rear. That way the front will be anchored while the aft end is pulled tight and marked for the pocket/tube the frame passes through. I did make a tube for the front bow, and it is sewed to the 1/2" of excess material from the front seam. That was a tight sewing job for me. Sweat every inch of it. So the front bow will only be held in place by being attached to the top, no straps to other bows. That is how it was done on a convertable top I had on a 40 Ford years ago and it worked well. <br /><br />My sewing skills leave a lot to be desired. Close inspection shows wavy stitches, even after practicing for a while. The problem is that racticing with small scraps is not the same as trying to stuff the whole top through the sewing machine! So I folded or rolled one side so it fits to the right of the needle better. But then you need to guide the left side too! I need 3 hands. <br /><br />Being my first top I'm not too worried about it looking perfect. I am more interested in how well performs under way. <br /><br />Regarding the frames, I only have two, the front and rear. The center bow is just there to press up on the second frame so it won't flap in the wind (I hope). I may have to do like you say and take a dart or two along the edge after strapping the whole thing down. <br /><br />If this top works well for the family, next summer I would like to try making a top with clear plastic side curtians and a rear skirt that extends to the leading edge of the splashwell. But first lets see how well I do with this one!<br /><br />Thanks again!<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Its done! I have to admit that although not perfect, it came out alot better than I had anticipated! Here are a few shots of the finished product.<br />

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[Boomyal]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

I kinda think it looks like a pro did it Mark. Very functional and looks well balanced. Kudos to ya for taking on such a project and doing it so well.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Thanks Boom! Do you have a top for your project? <br /><br />And thans to BillP for all the great advice. You really made a difference in how well it was made!<br /><br />After this season is over I will probably store the top indoors and can take the time to add a dart or two to make the top fit tight as an umbrella. Playing around with pulling a little here and there made me realize how just a pinch in a seam can make a big difference in fit.

 

[jsfinn]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Mark - man you do nice work. That top looks really good! So does your boat, by the way!

 

[willamettejeff]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Woo Hoo, indeed. Great job there Mark.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Originally posted by Mark42:<br /> Do you have a top for your project?

I still have the standard top that came with the boat in 1975. It's up in the attic and has never been installed or even taken out of it's cover.<br /><br />As I now live in the wet PNW I've thought I might get a stand up bimini if I ever decide to take up fishing. I'd want it for the rain here, not the sun.

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Great job Mark! You're a perfectionist with everything you touch. Very talented.

 

[PolarBear]

Re: Project "Navy Top" 7/31 update... Done! Woo Hoo

Wow Mark, that turned out great. Its a project that someday I want to try and do for our boat (assuming it ever runs ). I think I will be getting my wife to do the sewing for me though. Although I have sewn stuff before, she is much better at it - besides, that will give me more time for doing stuff I am better at like.. umm.. napping? Sorry, all I could think of on short notice.<br /><br />Awesome job, wish I had such ability.