Poor mans hardtop project
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:36 pm
After multiple quotes to replace our Bimini at and over $2,500 (and those quotes are for only adding zippers to the new top to use our existing curtains and windshield) I've opted for Plan B. It took about an hour to design a simple aluminum square tube frame that will mount on the existing Bimini bows. The frame is very light and will support a 1/8" FRP panel top. our Bimini is already braced to the deck aft, with an added brace forward it should support the lightweight top without any problem. The FRP has a bubble finish that will be mounted down - my only question is how the back side of the FRP will hold up to weather. I'm thinking of putting coat of paint on it after it's completed. We used FRP panels to line the wet head in our last boat and the stuff is not hard to work with and basically bullet proof (they use it on the walls of restaurants and commercial bathrooms) - it could be lighter but we're on a budget and $30 per 4x8 sheet hits the spot.
My long term goal is to lay up a nice hard top and move the traveler off the deck - the FRP project should take about a day and if we get a few years out of it I'll be very happy. I'm figuring the entire project should come in under $250 and take about two days to complete (plus sweat equity of course). I'll get some pix posted when there is something to show.
My long term goal is to lay up a nice hard top and move the traveler off the deck - the FRP project should take about a day and if we get a few years out of it I'll be very happy. I'm figuring the entire project should come in under $250 and take about two days to complete (plus sweat equity of course). I'll get some pix posted when there is something to show.