Installing Hardtop - Need Advice

[abl1111]

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…