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The rainy weather here has slowed down my project a little bit (see sig), so I've been occupying my brain with planning. I'm considering building a custom arch for my Trojan and thought I'd share as well as get your opinions on the design.
The first pic is the boat/arch as she sits, all stock. The next pic shows a few different designs that I brainstormed on. Then the design that I narrowed in on as my particular favorite. Feel free to comment ! cheers.
Wow...now that is brainstorming!
I think I would use the current arch and delevop a fiberglass hardtop with integrated speakers, lighting, and electronics.
Would be very stylish and not narrow the interior of the bridge.
While here I must make a comment on your workmanship...bravo sir!
SRD
F36
Michael
Rum is the reason Pirate's have never ruled the world
Done Dreamin'
1987 President 43' Twin Lehman 225SP Turbo
Highfield 310 Ally 15 HP Yamaha 2cycle
1978 F32 Sedan twin 318 Chry SOLD
Safe Cove Marina, Port Charlotte, FL
The $64 question is how do you plan to use this boat and in what conditions?
RWS
1983 10 Meter SOLD after 21 years of adventures
Yanmar diesels
Solid Glass Hull
Woodless Stringers
Full Hull Liner
Survived Andrew Cat 5,Eye of Charley Cat 4, & Irma Cat 2
Trojan International Website: http://trojanboat.com/
My original concept was to start with the existing arch and add-on to it. But that approach has several drawbacks to it. I have serious doubts about the rigidity of the mounting at that location. The stock arch and its mounting were never designed for the weight and forces that will be encountered with a top incorporated into it. Imagine a 4x8 sheet of plywood with a mere 20 mph wind against it. If I use the floor of cockpit as a mounting point, it is much stronger there and allows for a wider area to distribute the forces. I only lose about 5†of cockpit area. Additionally, the time and cost factor of the fiberglass approach is not favorable.
The only factor hard to evaluate for me is the ascetics of the arch being on the inside of the window pane versus the outside like the stock one. When I get time I’m going to see what I can do with photoshop for a more real-world comparison. If I end up wanting it on the outside I can re-visit the concept of using the stock mounting location and seeing what I can do to add the rigidity required. If I go that route I would still probably replace the existing fiberglass arch with an all aluminum structure.
As I said initially, this is pretty much a brainstorming endeavor at this point. So, if I end up not doing anything, the existing arch doesn’t exactly suck!
RWS, I will use the boat for probably 80% ocean fishing here in SoCal as well as Mexico. I don’t plan on going out too much in very inclement weather but you know the saying…I’d rather have it (be prepared) and not need it then to need it and not have it.
