10 meter hardtop project, radar arch removal

[my10meter]

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Well, I am am starting a long anticipated project. Removing my bimini and radar arch and replacing with a hardtop. I was able to get a used Atlantic Tower softtop frame that I am in the process of lengthening and widening. This will be followed with building a jig and making a foam cored fiberglass hardtop with twin bowmar hatches, more like a current production boat. I will keep updating progress. If anyone is interested, I will be removing the radar arch this week. and putting it up for sale. It had been previously repaired/strengthened in the corners.. Pictures are out of order...it is currently cut apart, getting ready to add sections and put back together this week

[RWS]

Hey Dana,

That's going to be NICE!

Looking forward to the outcome on this.

My concern however, is all that weight forward with only 2 close together attaching points aft.

Will you be adding additional support forward?

RWS

[my10meter]

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I am adding front supports as Atlantic does on their top. basically going to look like the top pictured. The overhead pic is from a boat with the fiberglass top and hatches...same as I want to put make and on the frame.

[my10meter]

Well, I was able to get the radar arch off. Just 2 of us, my wife and I. She is a trooper! I did some mock up with PVC addied to the frame and did a test fit today...More revising coming on dimensions but getting close. I should have pics of it mocked up on the boat in the next day or 2. Pipe aligned Fittings came from Eastern Metal Supply.$5 each..very reasonable.. and tubing and foot pad is coming from Atlantic Towers.

[RWS]

Looking like this will turn out really nice.

LOVE the idea of the "SUNROOF"

Hope someone ends up with that arch

The factory arch can be easily stiffened up by removing all the wood and glassing in aluminum tube as I did.

We're looking forward to watching this project unfold

RWS

[prowlersfish]

Should look great when your done. I have been thinking of adding a hatch to my hard top .

[my10meter]

Finally stopped raining and I was able to get a full mockup with dimension changes incorporating pvc in place of new tubing. Next step is to test fit this. Tubing arrives tomorrow...hopefully I can get it bent by the beginning of next week.

[my10meter]

Test fit today. I am happy with the fit. It actually dwarfs the bimini. It is going to feel so much bigger. Tomorrow we will swap out pvc pieces with Aluminum pipe. I was able to get the pieces I needed bent yesterday. My wife was the right hand man...wearing carhartts...Taking her to Red Lobster tonight..

[Moderator]

Nice !

[my10meter]

Today I shortened the front of the frame by 2 inches. My goal is to have the front eisenglass almost straight vertical instead of a forward angle brow.
I replaced the pvc with aluminum pipe and have everything in place with self tappers. Removed the frame and hopefully getting it tacked up tomorrow .

[my10meter]

Tacked it last night, hopefully test fit again today

[RWS]

boy does this fit nicely !

As compared to the factory canvas setup, you can now enjoy complete shade from direct sunlight AND flow through ventilation at the same time !

Also a place to store rods

Will the top be white stretched hypalon?

Front supports?

RWS

[my10meter]

The front of the frame will have 2 supports come down from the corner of the frame to the deck in front of the windshield by the horn. second part of the build involves making a 1 shot mold to make a foam cored fiberglass piece to go over the frame.

[my10meter]

I ended up dropping the height down 3 inches after measuring a ton of times and looking at pics. It seems to give plenty of height without as much frontal area for wind resistance. Boat is now on the hard, frame is removed for cross support welds.

[RWS]

As I recall, this boat has that awesome real wood veneer on the walls of the salon?

Is this correct ?

RWS