Maybe add some additional webbing in the rear supports. Below is how my fabricator did ours.

Moose - you talking about your ladder type support or the supports that run along your side window ?

I want to test my rear supports by making a cheap, temporary support for the back, top joint area.

Any input about how I might do this ?

Self Promotion Not Allowed On This Site....delete...delete...:D:D

terry, that's funny!!!!! :)

Jim,

I've always liked your pipe layout. Very robust. I'm trying to figure out a definitive way to tighten it all up without making it look like cr*p. Not exactly sure where the play comes from - yet.

I think you could use some 1/4" or 3/16" plate as a gusset. You would have to bend it to match the curvature of what is already there but it would really stiffen it up and still not look like a stupid add-on. Go about 6" on the vertical piece and wrap around the edge of the horizontal bend. Don't do it as just a triangle, add some curvature to make it look like you planned it.

I think both add to the structual stability of the top. IMHO, the "Radar Arch" integration and location may be the root of the issue. With no uprights going back towards the stern mounted to the gunnels all the rear weight is all bore by the screws going into the side of the gunnel rise. The lacking of these rear ladder supports appears to be the common denominator of those of us who are not having any issues with our tops.

This thread is great as far as timing goes for me. I am about to take my Sceptre to an aluminum fabrication shop this weekend to have a radar arch installed. I am planning to go with a radar arch and then have a Bimini span the entire area between the arch and the front windshield. I want the bases of the arch to connect to the vertical piece on the side of the boat, not the horizontal or top side of the gunwale. I think this will be a cleaner look but I am a bit concerned that the thickness of the vertical piece is not as great at the top of the gunwale. I've discussed glassing in some pieces of composite material, but I am not sure if it is necessary and as somebody else has suggested, I don't want to stiffen this area only to cause stress fractures elsewhere.

I think that the feet of any structure like this should rest on pads on horizontal gunnel surfaces if possible. Bolting to the side of any surface puts all of the load on the screws/bolts and confines the external forces of movement to the shear load of the fasteners.