Hard Top Complete

strick · #1 12-04-2003, 04:56 PM

Well it's almost complete. It's primered and just needs painting which I'll do when I'm ready to put it on the boat and that's not going to be for some time. For now I'm going to put in the back yard under a tarp and get back to work on the boat. I'm glad I made it and it turned out good.It is very sturdy. Not sure how much it weighs but it is lighter then I expecxted it to be. I can pick it up by myself without much difficulty. I'm guessing close to 100 pounds give or take. It measures 91 inches long and the width is 73 inches in the rear and it tapers down to 69 inches in the front just before it makes the curve. Things I'd do differently:

1. Buy a hard top. Because it was a PIA to make and I got tired of messing with it after a while. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]
2. For the bottom I'd make a very thin skin from some light cloth on a molding table and epoxy this to the bottom as it would cut down on fairing and sanding time.

Thats about it. Here are a couple pics to look at. The first one is a little blurred because of the propane heat waves.

Thanks for all the good comments on my first post.

Strick

Trayder · #2 12-04-2003, 05:06 PM

Fantastic job, I am having trouble finding the words it is awesome!!

ScottM · #3 12-04-2003, 05:07 PM

Looks good Strick! Can't wait to see it on the boat.

I don't see any beers though, that's why you got frustrated in point #1. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

gw204 · #4 12-04-2003, 05:32 PM

That looks awesome Strick!!! You do good work my friend.

Post some of these pics on THT as well. There are a lot of guys over there who would also love to see this.

Again, beautiful job! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Scott · #5 12-04-2003, 06:04 PM

WOW !!!

Well done Strick....Are you sure this isnt your "day" job ?? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Ed · #6 12-04-2003, 07:41 PM

Strick-

Well done. Wanna make me one?

By the way....where can I buy those BURRO BRAND sawhorses? [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

-Ed-

strick · #7 12-04-2003, 08:43 PM

Thanks guys for the nice comments. Scott M if you look real close in the second picture there is a corona on the work bench right next to the Dewalt flash light. Also there is a small garbage can that is not visable in any of the pics that has beer bottles in it as well [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Ed I got those saw horses at home depot $18.95 each.

Strick

John R · #8 12-04-2003, 09:20 PM

That's freakin' cool

PipeDreamsMarine · #9 12-05-2003, 08:28 AM

Nice top... Couple of questions... How are the legs going to attach to the top? How deep is the box? the pictures make it look kinda deep? Not to be a butt head, but being in the bussiness I'd have a hard time making that top work on a 23 Center Console. It would work great on a bigger walk a round type boat, I just feel its too big for a center console. Most 23's get a 5'x 7' top are you planning on putting an enclosure to the gunnels?

Water Rat · #10 12-05-2003, 10:12 AM

I am waiting for a quote for a new hardtop and enclosure for my '78 23' Sceptre - I'm sure will be exorbitant and not likely to come out nearly as well as yours. I am very impressed and very very jealous. Good luck and keep up the great work - can't wait to see this boat when you are done.

Chris