Installing Hardtop - Need Advice
 

It's finally time for me to put my 'new-to-me' hardtop on my boat - here's the dilemma:

I have a 1975 23' Tsunami. I bought a used, but MINT hardtop, aluminum frame, and isinglass from a 1975 23' Sceptre ( same year and I'm assuming, the same mold ). It fit that boat like a glove. Isinglass fit tight and clear - almost new.

I was unable to get the exact location of where frame mounted on the original Sceptre.

I want to install the top but cannot really get my brain wrapped around how to install the top and assure that the isinglass fits snug ! I have no lift or crane.

I believe that the top has to be put in place, the isinglass installed and SOMEHOW, the hardtop has to be lifted and adjusted to make the isinglass tight - then mark where I need to mount… But, how to raise the top so it is adjustable; forward back, side to side and up and down ? Boat is on a trailer.

Ideas ?

Maybe some pictures will help us understand the situation...

If I am understanding you right, I would just place the frame on and clamp it in place to see if it fits . If it came off the same type model (scepter/tsunami) it should fit back fine. I would after placing it on the boat them attach all the isinglass and then pull it forward and back till it was how you wanted it then screw it down. If it needed raised just a little bit you could get spacers made to the same size as the feet you have now and use them with longer bolts. I have made aluminum and stainless frames wider or narrower and it can be done but I would rather have the isinglass modified to get it tighter not the aluminum frame. It is not bad to lower a frame down or shorting a tube but to make it taller is a little more involved. I don't know much about the isinglass stuff so it may cost just as much to modify it as the frame if it needed it. I would think it should be close to fit and just need some minor adjustments then you can mount it permanent.

Pix too soon as boats still under wrap ( tough winter here on Long Island ! ). But I'll try this weekend.

If there was no isinglass, I would just bolt everything in where it seems 'right'. I don't know what isinglass and canvas would go for, but it's got to be $600-$ 1000 ? ( I have front and (2) sides - no back drop )

I do not believe there will be any cutting or extending of the metal work needed, as it is off the same exact boat… It was dumb luck.

My Approach: I'm thinking I'll lay the hardtop and frame in place on the boat and then with a bottle jack on a dolly and a 2x4 cut at the right length as a pole on top of the bottle jack ( along with a 12"x12" pc of plywood nailed on the end of the 2x4 ) <---- all that will be on the deck of my boat. I'm thinking I'll be able to lift the hardtop slightly off the boat via the bottle jack, and move the hardtop as needed to adjust the isinglass so it's tight. When right, I'll mark where I'm going to mount and go for it.

It's a 2-3 person job.

I was just hoping for a better mouse-trap…

Best idea yet. Get 3-4 helpers and let them work as adjusters!

local tool rental store should have drywall jacks that hold drywall up to install it on celings, maybe that would work?