21EC Hardtop

S

SGIDAVE

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 24, 2008
Messages
916
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C SE
Vessel Name
Tug Tide (2013)
MMSI Number
338162327
I built a hardtop for my tug. It is intentionally "light weight" constrution with 1/4" okuome marine plywood encapsulated in glass on both sides. White oak ribs and hand rails top and bottom. It extends aft to the back of the motor box. In the pics it looks flat but it actually has the same curve as the pilothouse top.

This is my solution to the factory surrey and its EIGHT upright supports. The new hardtop has TWO supports so fishing, etc will be easier.

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Thanks for looking!

/david
 
David, that is amazing! I have been thinking of a similar solution and you actually did it.
Looks great. Any construction details you can share would be appreciated.

Marcus
 
David, I think you've got a winner here, maybe even a money maker if you're so inclined.

Jim
 
Wow awesome work.. Really adds a nice look to your tug..
 
Outstanding! Wish the Factory offered something similar. What's the headroom clearance at the center?
 
Captain Nice":3racvmzt said:
Outstanding! Wish the Factory offered something similar. What's the headroom clearance at the center?
Click to expand...

THANK YOU for the kind comments!

The top is flush with the stack...and the ribs are about 2", so headroom is...I'll have to measure for exact number but it's about 2" below the top of the stack. I wanted plenty of head room but didn't want to make the leading edge (front) too tall for trailering purposes/wind resistance. Staying at pilothouse roof level was a NO GO as that's simply too low. My hard top is probably a little higher than the factory surrey option (I'm guessing).

/david
 
Wonderful
 
did you figure out the current leak on your boat?
 
Battery is dead again. Something is draining it off. Im going to put in one of the battery cut off switches on each battery.
Its a slow drain whatever it is. When the season starts and I get boat out I will trace more for problem.
Eric
 
eric":299i03n4 said:
Battery is dead again. Something is draining it off. Im going to put in one of the battery cut off switches on each battery.
Its a slow drain whatever it is. When the season starts and I get boat out I will trace more for problem.
Eric
Click to expand...

Hello Eric,

Installing the switch is a GREAT idea. I installed a Blues Seas M-series dual circuit switch under the motor cover to keep everything Kosher (and charged). Like this
247191F-p.jpg

The M-series comes in several varieties, I'm sure there is one to suit your needs.

Fair Winds and charged batteries,

david
 
Hi Dave: That looks marvellous. I am jealous. I would be keen to do something like that too. Would you mind if I copied it? I would appreciate some details - materials, specifications, etc, that is if you don't mind sharing. Also, I see your mast support (the stainless steel one, just off-centre of the fr'd hatch). Have you seen my design for a central mast support? There are photos of it in my album. It is made from HDPE. I have found it better than the original s/s fitting. Anyway, once again, love the canopy. RHAPSODY would look good with that in place! Regards, Stevan.
 
You Sir, are a craftsman! Very impressive!
Jeff and Ela
Bobolink, R27
 
jcarrdive":1b723wh8 said:
You Sir, are a craftsman! Very impressive!
Jeff and Ela
Bobolink, R27
Click to expand...

Thank you all for the kind words. You may want to retract the 'craftsman' comment if you ran your hand over the hardtop...I didn't spend much time 'fairing' the glass work. It's a little rough in some places. The paint covers most of that up, though.

Here are more 'details' in a rambling description...

If anyone wants to copy it...be my guest. My hardtop is approx 66" fore/aft dimension. The width approximates the gunwale width. It is built in typical 'stitch and glue' fashion with lightweight 1/4" plywood and white oak ribs. There are tutorials on how to do stitch and glue on Bateau.com which is where all my supplies came from. Tutorial here (http://www.bateau2.com/howto/sg101.php). After fashioning the ribs with the curve I wanted, I screwed the plywood to the ribs. The ribs where then epoxy-glued to the plywood and an epoxy filet was created along each side of the ribs (on the underside of the hardtop now). The rib/ply jx was further reinforced with biaxial tape. Once cured, the top was turned over and the screws removed; the holes filled with thickened epoxy; 12 oz biax cloth was applied to the TOP. The underside was finished with a layer of 6 oz woven cloth. I put a 2" wide x 1" thick white oak board around the sides; it has a half-round profile. I stuck some rain/spray diverters on the top to direct run-off to the aft corners and mounted grab rails to the top AND underside. A LITTLE bit of fairing, then primed with Interlux primer then Perfection 2 part paint (REALLY nice stuff - first time using it). The supports are fashioned from white oak to act as handles/grab rails; primed and painted same schedule as top.

If anyone wants more specifics, PM me.

david
 
Thanks for those details Dave. Should be enough to start with. Will let you know how I go. Once done, I will send some pics. Kind regards
 
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