Karma's Hard Top

S

Stella Maris

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Nov 28, 2008
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1,500
Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
Helmsman PH38, 11' Boston Whaler, 9' Boston Whaler
Vessel Name
Destiny
Bob took a ride up to LaConner this week and took some great pictures of the progress that had been completed on Karma's Hard Top.

The stainless steel stanchions have been ordered and should arrive to Boaters Discount on Monday. They plan to install them on Tuesday. Once that is done, the stainless steel dinghy rack as well as the grab rails will be mounted. Then she will be done!

Once she is complete, we will post additional pictures.
 
That is very cool. Congratulations on having a great idea and an excellent outcome.

I thought you had solar panels, where are they mounted? And where do you mount your dinghy?
 
We knew that this ideas was going to work very well. It is very similar to what this company did for the Bayliner 32 foot motor yachts; their hardtop extensions are very well done, practical and adds value to the boat.

Look at the possibilities: but a dinghy up there, crab pots, folding bikes, solar panels or just out a cushion and sunbath!

David, you have pioneered this and congratulations to you! This will be popular with Ranger 29 owners. If the factory choses not to go this route, there is a company who can.
 
As a mutual friend of ours would say, "very cool".
 
Russ,
There will be a stainless steel rack on the roof of the hardtop to hold the dinghy. The dinghy will be hoisted to the roof with the use of a 3:1 block and tackle system. Once I get it all in place I will place pictures in our photo album.

Our solar panel setup is the same one that we have used for many years. It is two of the smaller Sunsei Solar panels that have a mount attached to the sports rack. While these would charge your batteries (be it very slow) we use them to just keep the batteries topped off when at anchor. We have been able to run the stereo and refrigerator all day long on Solitude (in the desert heat of 110 degrees) and keep the batteries at 13 volts. The cord from the solar panels is dropped through the roof hatch and plug into a 12 volt outlet.

If you are looking to "live off the grid" you will need a setup like Capt D, Stuart, or Mac have. At this time we are not so this setup works for us. Along with the solar panels to keep the batteries topped, we also have a generator..... we use it when we need the AC. Haven't needed that yet in the PNW though!!

When the panels are not in use, we store them under the v berth.

 
Hi David and Maureen,

A question for you regarding the rail clamps you use for your solar panels: who is the manufacturer of those clamps and where did you buy them? I did a search on "marine rail mount clamps", but didn't come up with anything as functional as those in your photos. TIA for any info you can share.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim,
We purchased those at West Marine along with the solar panels. They too are made by Sunsei. If you watch WM's ad, they often offer them up as buy the solar panel get the mounts for free.

You can also purchase these at Bass Pro Shops.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. I'll check out WM and Bass Pro in our travels this season. And to bring this back on-topic: the hardtop for your 29 looks to be a great addition!

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
The hard top is just about complete! The only thing left is to install the grab rails along the edge of the roof. The stainless rack on the roof will hold our dinghy. We have purchase a Delfin YDA 200 inflatable. With the weight coming in at 65 pounds, I will bring it aboard using a 3:1 purchase block and tackle system. We will add rollers to the aft cross member as well as the swim platform rails.

 
Sweet. Nice concept and execution.
 
A nice clean installation. Looks great!!!
 
Very nice. I look forward to seeing it up close.

Ranger Jeff
 
Karma's Hardtop is now complete. We picked her up in Everett late Thursday night after the factory installed our new engine hatch lift as well as the new "Second" mast we had built.

We picked up the inflatable Friday morning. After assembling it, we hoisted it to the roof and secured it. The outboard is mounted on the stern rail of the swim platform.

We cruised down to Bell Harbor Friday morning picking ups some winds and waves on the way down. On the way out of Everett, we ran into Mac and the new owners of the most recently launched R-29.

Once arriving in Bell we were greeted by a dozen antique tugboats. This weekend is the maritime festival here at Bell. We were enthralled with all of the tugs but what amazed us most was the owners of these classics that had to come see Karma! After they were through, it was time for the owners of the 42 foot motor yacht that tied behind us.

We are very pleased with how the hardtop turned out. It was a big decision at a great expense that you are not quite sure how it is going to go until it is complete.......


The above photos have been added to our photo album.

Anyone interested, we still have the original bimini that we had made for Karma for sale.
 
Another shot of the Hardtop as well as the stern rail we added behind the ice chest and the new mast.
 
Could you tell me who mfg this hardtop for you?
Cheers,
Peter
Peter haywood
Winter Island Yacht yard
 
Peter,
The Hardtop was built and installed at Boaters Discount Center in LaConner Washington.

If you should have further questions, please feel free to email me at

Davidbakermdbs@aol.com

David
 
Hi;

I would like to see the pictures that you included with your post, but they show as little squares with question marks in them. When I click on them I get the message "Security Violation The action you attempted is not permitted." Any idea why this happens?

Norm
 
ngleadow":ky0sujfu said:
Hi;

I would like to see the pictures that you included with your post, but they show as little squares with question marks in them. When I click on them I get the message "Security Violation The action you attempted is not permitted." Any idea why this happens?

Norm
Click to expand...

This link should take you to pictures that will include the hardtop.

http://www.rangertug25-solitude.com/our-karma.html
 
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