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

[BillP]

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

That looks really good. You even put a drip flap on it. Now pull the straps very tight (like 40-50lbs worth)and it will shape up even better. Give it week and retighten.

 

[Jcrain]

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

Good job, Mark. I didn't see it, or maybe I'm just old and blind, but what type of sewing machine did you use? I got a top real similar for my 76 chrysler but it has the walk thru winsheild and the zipper for the flap to allow you to get thru it rotted out.....sun, rain and age will do that, you know.......

 

[Mark42]

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

Hey Bill, OOoops! I forgot to trim off the back starbord corner, just noticed it in the picture. That material is tough as nails. In fact, I had to drive a nail through it to make the hole for the snaps. It sort of spread the weave rather than punch a hole in it. Hopefully your are right about letting it sit a while and re-tightening. Maybe after a week in the sun....<br /><br />Jcrain, This is the sewing machine I used. A late model basic Sears machine, under $100 borrowed from Mom-in-law. It does straight and zigzag stitches, forward and reverse. That's it. It had no problem with the Odyssey III material. Y<br />

<br /><br />I have enough material left over to make a boot. Getting low on snaps, I only have 6 left, but that should be enough. <br /><br />When towing I plan on having the top down. Should it be tied in the down position? Maybe a bungie to hold it tight?<br /><br />When I bought the used top, it also came with two support rods. They didn't work out well on my boat so I used the top slide track instead to get it out of the way. I should put the original vinyl top and support poles on ebay to recoup some expenses. It is a big cover, about 80 inch or so.

 

[Jcrain]

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

Hmmmmmmmmmm....... I wonder if I can sneak my wife's machine for a little bit.......<br /><br /> Just to stir the pot a bit, You mentioned previously about building a hard top for you boat? Any progress on that yet? I was thinking of maybe start glassing the vinal top I have. After a few layers, peel the vinal off and continue with cloth and glass till I get it strengthend up.<br /> What do you think?

 

[Mark42]

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

Still want to try making a hard top. No progress there. <br /><br />I think you would do better to make the top out of corrugated cardboard and lay the glass over that. Covering a vinyl top could be difficult because of the rolling out of resin on a soft surface. I had thought of using the pink foam boards from the home center. I have saved one but haven't put any resin on it yet to see if it will melt. I had planned to make the top light weight, then cover the whole thing with marine vinyl or sand it all smooth and paint.

 

[Jcrain]

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

I have some real thin plywood, about one eighth inch, I believe. I might try to do something with that, then glass over it. But, that will have to go on the end of of my list of things that HAVE to get done right now. I think the list is up to around 900 items now.

 

[Triton II]

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

Nicely put together project Mark. Fancy a holiday in Aus... I need a set of side panels and a rear curtain for my cuddy! Free accommodation and basic sewing machine offered!

 

[Mark42]

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

I'm scrambling trying to get everything ready to leave for vacation. Last night I made a boot for the top out of left over material, but ran out of snaps. <br /><br />My fear is that the whole thing will open like a parachute and get ripped off the boat while on the highway. Guess I'll just tie it up good with some string and bungie it down.<br /><br />TritonII, thanks for the room and board offer, but inflation is eating up my paycheck faster than I can earn it, and a ticket to AU is expensive!!! This boat is the one last luxury I can (barely) afford.

 

[tengals123]

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

you have done such a great job on that. Congrats<br /><br />cheers

 

[Mark42]

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

Today we had it on the water. Ran all around the Peconic bays, past Shelter Island and back to Sag Harbor to pull out. Top did a great job. I was surprised how much wind was cut by it. Wife thought it was the best. She sat facing aft with her feet up and the stereo on. I guess I did good. <br /><br />Met up with my sister and her family. We anchored our boats at Jessop Neck and swam, chilled out and just ran the boats around. When I need to stand at the helm, I just undo a few snaps on my side and flip the top out of the way and there is enough room for me to poke through.

 

[Mark42]

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

Well, here I am on Long Island, NY. Been running all around the Shelter Island/Peconic Bay area. That top is performing wonderfully! I am surprised at how much the wind is blocked by such a simple top. Wife is really happy. <br /><br />One small mishap. Meet my sister and her family by Jessup Neck and we anchored. Me and BIL took turns trying out each others boats. When BIL was climbing in my boat he grabbed the top frame near the slide mount and it pulled right off! Ooops! The two screws that held it on pulled right out and went to the bottom. Oh well. I took one screw from the other side and put it back together. Held together for the ride home. I was surprised how easy those screws pull out of the slide mount. No damage done. Picked up two new ss screws yesterday and all is well.<br /><br />I am really happy with this project. Not too much effort and time, and really big returns!<br /><br />Edit:<br />BTW the 30" top slide I used is a Taylor Made product. It came with two mounting screws for each track, one front and one rear. This means that the entire 30" of track between the ends is not screwed to the boat and flexes all over. I added screws every 5 inches along its length to hold it secure. If I hadn't, I bet the track would have bent rather than the screws pull free of the slide when BIL grabbed it. I would have thought that Taylor Made would realize that a top slide track needs more than two screws to hold it secure.