What do you think of this hardtop design?

[Mark42]

I was originally going to cut the top of the cuddy cabin off, and remove the windshield and build a whole new top for the cabin and cockpit. Wife has convinced me to just remove the windshield and not "cut" into the boat. The windshield unbolts fairly easily and it looks like it would be easy to construct a hard top to replace the windshield assembly. The cuddy roof stays intact.

This photo is with the navy top up. I can stand up under the flat part without rubbing my head. But the incline of the windshield/top is so steep that when going to sit, I always rub my head on the top. Once seated, my head is clear of the top, but I have to crane my head down to see clearly out the windshield. BTW, the seats are very high in this boat - like 30" or so.

So using MS Paint, I made this simple rendering of a hard top. The windshield is no longer a 3 piece w/opening center section, it will be a two piece with both pannels hinged at the top and swing out. This will let in lots of ventilation. The rake of the windshield is not as steep, so I can stand behind the helm without banging my head on the navy top over the windshield. (the steering wheel is just about even with the little round horn on the side of the boat). And I can make a canvas cover for the back camper style and then not have to worry about rain if its moored.

Construction would probably be simple pine frame with 1/4" ply curved over 3/4" ribs for the roof (giving it a nice mild curve side to side). The front windshield posts would be cut from laminated 1"x and cut to size and shape. Then wrap the whole thing in glass/resin. Then finish with either paint (roll & tip) or gel coat. Thinking of making the side windows split sliders, camper style, so I can stick my head out and curse reckless boaters

So far, my wife likes the idea and looks. I tried to make it proportional to the boat. Let me know if you think it looks out of size/shape for the boat.

Any suggestions, criticism, and comments are welcome.

 

[Mark42]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

And a view from the stern...

Oh, and please ignore that little piece of land floating in the sky.....

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Nice job in MS Paint - that had to take some time. I have two quick thoughts.

First, I think you idea looks good, some one will ask about how the COG will change etc, but it doesnt seem like you will be adding to much weight.

Second, would it be easier to find an OEM used aluminum winshield to start with, perhaps from a fishing boat (with the steeper rake you are looking for) rather than build everything from scratch. Maybe that would make it harder...

Good luck and keep the pics rolling!

 

[Firestar]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Looks like you have a great plan there. The design looks surprisingly good and will be far more functional then the current. I'm looking forward to pic's of the progress!

 

[tgissel]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ROOF...ryZ50443QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There is a roof on e-bay for sale right now

 

[drewpster]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

I have no complaints. looks great. The picture from the stern looks in perfect proportion, but in the side view, the top looks very slightly high.
Could you build the sides and top out of foam core covered in glass and the forward windshield section out of wood core to save weight?
I would also suggest simple snap in side windows rather than the sliders. My boat has a hard top similar to your design. Even with the hinged windshields open, the raised bow at speed seems to direct air over the top rather than through the windshield. You may want the full side openings for ventilation.
One more thing. I would form a slight up-curve (whale tail) at the rear edge of the top. I have trouble with leaking where my enclosure meets the top. If you have a slight curve up at the tops rear edge, just enough to make water run off the sides before it gets to the camper enclosure, it would eliminate a possible rain leak.
great idea

 

[dingbat]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Great idea but be aware that the top may dramticlly change the dynamics of the entire boat. Not just from the weight of the enclosure but also the increased drag it creates.

I have a traditional hardtop with curtains on my boat and the difference between having the curtains in place and removed is dramatic, especially when towed. It feels like an entirely different boat behind the truck with the curtains up and I loose almost 1 mpg in the process.

The top end and fuel economy will suffer on the water as well. I lose between 2-3 MPH on my top end and roughly 0.25 mpg in my fuel economy with the curtains up. That doesn’t sound like much until you consider it represents roughly a 15% decrease in fuel economy.

 

[bekosh]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

That is quite a plan. But wouldn't it be easier to just get a stand up height bimini with enclosure instead of the short convertible top? Your boat's cockpit is small enough that a full size bimini would be just like a camper canvas with the straight drop in the front and the back.

We just had one made for our boat and love it.​

 

[Mark42]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Thanks for all the great comments!

Tgissel - That top on ebay is about $240 with shipping, and I would have to modify it to fit. I think it would be easier to make the whole thing from scratch, and that price would be nearly my whole budget!

drewpster - After thinking about your suggestion, I think the whole top could be made from foam and covered with a few layers of glass/epoxy. Then just a 1.5x1.5" strip of hardwood around the base is all that would be needed to attach it to the boat. (look at some pickup truck bed caps - totally flimsy single wall glass job, but rigid when mounted) If the drivers side windshield is fixed in place (non-opening) then it would lend a lot of torsional bracing to the front, and not need a heavy wood frame. Also, the top can be foam, easy to carve into a nice curve for asthetics. The passenger windshield window would need a heavy aluminum U channel around its perimeter to keep it rigid when partially open. Could also place the hinges on the center "piller" so it swings open over the drivers window and out of the way, and making it easy to get to the bow for anchoring duties or just laying about. Curtians would save weight and are a good alternative. And a rain lip is a great idea.

dingbat - Great info from experience! I am thinking that a rigid top would be more airodynamic on the water than the navy top, or at least close. I dont really mind loosing some top speed do to the top, because I don't run WOT all that often. And at lower speeds, wind resistance is less of an issue. BTW, you get less than 2MPG with your boat? How big is your boat/motor?

bekosh - Thats a real nice canvas top you have. I considered a soft top, but after having the navy top on this boat, I realized that the low rake of the windshield and top greatly reduce the usable space inside. So a steeper incline gives more interior space. I also feel better leaving the boat moored with the hard top and a small canvas enclosure on the back. I feel it would hold up to bad weather better, and be easier to make weather tight.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Bayliner made some hardtops not to long ago on a little bit bigger boats than yours. It seems that you could get some components from one of these boats to make the structure for your top.

Take a look at this ended ebay auction:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1986...ryZ63725QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I'll bet you could use a good portion of the aluminum frame that is used to support the roof. You can always trim the aluminum extrusions and glass to make it work.

I like the idea in general. I have been trying to determine what to do with my boat also.

 

[BF]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Interesting project, and good rendering by the way. FWIW, like someone mentioned above, the only thing I'm not sure about is whether it might be a bit too tall. When I look at the side pict's I'm trying to imagine where your head is when you're seated. If your looking through your current windshield now, I'd guess that your head isn't much above the side. If that's the case, then the new design would seem to be too high to me. Of course, maybe your intending to change the seating position... maybe a higher seat behind the wheel (?)

 

[Mark42]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Interesting project, and good rendering by the way. FWIW, like someone mentioned above, the only thing I'm not sure about is whether it might be a bit too tall. When I look at the side pict's I'm trying to imagine where your head is when you're seated. If your looking through your current windshield now, I'd guess that your head isn't much above the side. If that's the case, then the new design would seem to be too high to me. Of course, maybe your intending to change the seating position... maybe a higher seat behind the wheel (?)

When I'm seated (and I'm 5' 7.5" barefoot) the top of the windshield frame is directly in my line of vision. I have to lean forward and down a bit to have a good view through the windshield.

I drew the hard top the same height as the navy top, because I can stand without banging my head under the highest point. So with this design, I will be able to stand behind the helm, not bump my head, and still have a clear field of vision.

The headroom is important to me because we still have kids, and doing stuff like eating lunch, putting on sunscreen, changing kids cloths, etc is much easier standing up than hunched over.

I think the photos are decieving. Most people at work who saw one on my cubicle wall think its a 20 ft. They are surprised to learn its only 16'. I think Bayliner purposely made it look like a mini 20ft boat. It doesn't really need a bow rail, but they added it, and although it is functional, I think it was more for looks. And that dark sticker on the side that mimics the larger cuddy windows. Looks are important, looks sell. And it is a pretty sweet looking boat.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What do you think of this hardtop design?

Mark,
Here is what I have for a hardtop. Wind resistance is next to nothing until I put the front curtains on.

As for the boat, It’s a 22’ walk around with a 225Hp outboard. At fighting weight (loaded 154 gallons of fuel, and 200 lbs of ice, it weighs roughly #5K. I get maybe 2 miles to the gallon running with low fuel on a calm sea.

BTW: Picture is of the same model boat, just not mine. Mine's cleaner, a lot cleaner