Hardtop build

Hey fellas, building a hardtop with some friends. Joel has been very helpful and this one is actually the second one I have done. The first one was 7'x13' and used in a full tower my neighbor built for his contender. This top is 6'x7.5'. The thickness is 1". The first shot is the foam glued together to the rough size. The yellow foam is higher density and is used at bolting points.

The second shot is a pic of the cut out shape with the nav lights installed. It is amazing that the lights on these cost more than the top. The nav lights are $475 alone but they are slick. I have a mold that will establish the camber. I will vacuum everything down once I lay it up.

your friend must be a serious fisherman, buoy gear and all!

I like the source for 12v

Are you going to put any camber in the top?

He is a swordfish slayer.

We are going to use the mold that has about 2" of camber in it. This is a photo of it although it needs the top surface to be redone as it sat out in the weather. We will reskin it with melamine and put it to work again. I have to get one more part off it after that then pull it apart again.

Got the top laid up this weekend. First pick shows the conduits going to the light locations and then the top is after the vacuum bag was removed but the peel ply was still on it. Came out really good. Used 4 gallons of the Ruka epoxy with the tropical hardener and 10 yrds 1708. The tropical speed hardener made it possible to get it all in one layup, top and bottom at the same time.

came out great! So much easier doing both skins in one shot. Your becoming a pro at this!

I learn something every time. Had a problem getting max vacuum this time as the tape that we covered the seams in the mold with pulled up at the location for the vacuum line. Need to pack that area with clay next time to eliminate the void between the tape and the bag.

Another minor issue I had is the core not pulling down on the bottom lay up in all areas. The lower vacuum is definitely a factor but I was thinking about trying to put the bag under the part so that the entire part was bagged. I would then have to bag the part to the mold to get the shape. Not sure if laying up on the bag is a great idea?

What size conduit did you use. I like the idea of the lights.

It is 1/2" pex tubing which is actually used for plumbing

The Logans got the metal work done on the top. Birdsall did the usual top of the line job. Boat is being painted now.

very nice ! Thanks for posting.