motion30
Guru
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2010
- Messages
- 1,216
If you are ever serious Cruiser a large hardtop is a perfect place for solar panels.
Can you comment about the weight of the Fiberglass over 1/2" Divinylcell foam? And, how rigid is it .... will it hold itself up without supports? Thx.
I'd suggest a conversation with Pipewelders, although reaching them by phone can be hard. They can give you all the pros and cons. Historically, the most popular material for hardtops on boats over 50' has been aluminum. Of course, for those most concerned with weight, there is carbon fiber.
Pipewelders builds marlin/tuna towers and hardtops and so forth, Big in the SF market, I think. Search engine should find them.
Atlantic Towers could be another useful commercial contact.
-Chris
If the shape isn't too bad, like the gentle curve of a hardtop. They can be bent over cheap wood forms and glassed over to hold their shape.The only problem w hardtops is weight.
I usta get honeycomb panels at Boeing Surplus but .....
One would be stuck w a flat top hardtop. And that would make a boat into a doghouse (visually). Not very graceful or classy.
Need it on my OB boat though.
I realize not a trawler but a boat nonetheless. I am installing a top made by Atlantic Towers as we speak. Enclosure goes on next week.
The aircraft panels. I think we are thining about the same ones. They're about a half-inch thick and the honey cone structures inside are roughly 3/4 inch across. The flat sides are roughly 1/8th inch thick. These are the ones I have played with before. They are similar to Nida core. They have some flex but not much.Ben,
“they” being the panels mentioned above or surplus aircraft panels?
Looks good, what material was used? Size and weight?
And did you install it yourself? A one man operation.... or two?
Thanks!
Be advised that the Markalon (maybe Maralon) does not like continued UV exposure, meaning constant for three years. I cover the windows when not going anywhere for awhile. All in all, it enhanced the look, the function and enjoyability of the upper helm.