We are going above and beyond with this project. This will be a full hardtop that will go from the windshield all the way to the transom and feature a Webasto sliding sun roof. We are also placing 2 hatches in the cockpit area for additional light and ventilation. The original arch will be removed and new aluminum side supports will be built to replace it. Follow along as we raise the bar at HMM.
This is before.
Entire upper deck was enclosed in canvas. We will be providing a solid top and the canvas will only be around the sides. These types of projects start on the drawing board and we work through many concepts and brainstorms to figure out what the customer desires.
This top will be getting a Webasto series 80 sliding sunroof with green tinted glass. The unit is approx. 91" wide x 75" long. There will be a ton of fab work put into the area of this opening to allow the window to drop in and function correctly.
Let the Work begin
Side Supports are first. They will pretty much follow the same profile as the arch, so the windshield intersects in the same manner. We will be raising the height of the top by 9" for more head room in the cockpit. The arch was never designed to support the weight we will be adding and was already showing signs of failure from the weight of the radar unit.
The pipe for the upper ring frame is now laid out and formed up. The size begins to show up now and it is overwhelmingly big. 16' - 6" long and 13' wide is quite the foot print in my little shop.
Those are 4' x 8' tables it it sitting on
2" square frame work is rolled and placed into the frame.
A steel fixture is used to hold the side supports in place and the top is fit for initial testing.
We will be taking the open frame work up to the boat to do our initial fit up, so all my reference points are located on the fixture and any necessary changes can be made back at the shop.
We will be taking the open frame work up to the boat to do our initial fit up, so all my reference points are located on the fixture and any necessary changes can be made back at the shop.
Test fit has been done and all went well. Back to the shop to begin sheet metal work and the rest of the construction.
The Bottom has now been skinned. The hatch openings are sleeved 3" wide and trimmed with 1" wide flat stock. The side support pockets are recessed to accept the support and be flush when installed. The opening for the roof panel can now be seen. Next step is to flip it over and run all pull cables for chasing wires later on. Then begin skinning the top side.
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