Cockpit hard top

Corrosion, Paint, Through Hulls, etc.
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louism58
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Cockpit hard top

Post by louism58 »

Anyone on here ever made their own hardtop frame?

I have a 32" express right now has a bimi top covering the cockpit which is good for now but was considering replacing at some point.

Was just wondering how practical it would be to make an aluminum frame with 1" tubing would be stronger than the Bimini than on there now and then just have a custom cover and sides made.

OK I am board and making up projects :-)

But would be interesting to see if anyone else had done this

THanks
Fastjeff
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Location: Rock Halll, MD

Re: Cockpit hard top

Post by Fastjeff »

I made mine out of plywood. Butt-ugly but very effective: Lots of shade and indestructible in winter storage (snow load).

I'd post a few photos but that would be just too embarrassing!

Jeff
"We live at the bottom of an ocean of air, not at the top." General Marvage Slatington
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bcassedy
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Location: Aurora, In.

Re: Cockpit hard top

Post by bcassedy »

There was a member who was out of Louisville, Ky who used a scrapped roof from a 32' to fabricate a cockpit hardtop. I've looked for him on the site but he's not turning up. The end result was beautiful and amazingly functional - it had a slide for the kids on that section to it was plenty sturdy.
Anyone know him? His name was Joe Knockle..... (Don't remember full last name - apologies Joe.... :oops: )

Bill
Bill & Sharon Cassedy
"Sunset Seeker"
'88 32' Sedan Bridge to be sold (updtd 1-1-22)
"Sunset Seeker Too" (SS2)
'88 41' Marquis hardtop. (as of 1/1/22)
Located in Aurora, In.
Always fresh water.
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shade2u2
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Location: Marietta, Ohio -mile marker 172

Re: Cockpit hard top

Post by shade2u2 »

I wanted to put one on mine. I found a 37 being scrapped in DE and was trying to get the roof off of it to fabricate and connect to my roof over the cockpit. It appeared that I could use the former wall structure to support the extension.
Ended up not having the time for such a project and gave up.
This part...
DE Marinette roof cropped.jpg
John
1986 39 Sedan w/Crusader 454 & 1.92 drive.
former - '84 28 Express Hardtop w/single 360 1.5:1 drive (SOLD - now in Uruguay)
Ohio and Muskingum Rivers (Marietta, OH)
balthaus
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Location: Southern Indiana / Louisville

Re: Cockpit hard top

Post by balthaus »

The gentleman in Louisville KY is Joe Knockwafel. There are several pics on the fb group, including some “work in progress” pics. He has a beautiful M.
1984 32' Sedan FB
Twin Chrysler 360's
1.52:1 Velvet Drives
Raw water cooled
Ohio River
louism58
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Re: Cockpit hard top

Post by louism58 »

Looked at Joe's boat pictures, great work!

This might be doable, I have a 37" aft cabin I am scrapping. I could cut the aft deck off and then fit it to the new boat. Have to do some measuring I am sure it is wide enough need to check the length.

Nice winter project.
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