Hardtop Construction

I have a friend who needs to replace his lobsterboat's hardtop. It was balsa core, but not used carefully and so it's now waterlogged.

I am thinking of suggesting he build a new one with foam core. I envision him bending foam slightly over frames to create some camber, glassing the top with 2 or 3 layers of a 16oz. with mat, then flipping it and doing the underside. Polyester resin. Bond to existing windscreen structure with Proset. He needs it to be cost effective.

Has anyone done this? Sound reasonable? Other ideas?

Thanks,
Craig

 

what is the condition of the boat now ? is the roof still there? are there any carlings? Is the underneither layer of glass on the roof still good? If it is it may be possible to cut the top layer of cloth off dig out the rotten core and replace it with cleg cell foam uding the underneith layer of glass as a form. I would use all epoxy. you dont have to worry about the bonding prep the way that you do with polyester. Need more info to help.
Howard

 

Thanks. The sides of the cabin are solid FRP and I believe there is a flange to which he can bond a new hardtop. The existing one is still there, but he says it's waterlogged everywhere. Part of the problem is that he says it is very flat, which means it doesn't shed water well, so although the idea of leaving the inner layer intact is a good one, I think I'd rather build a new one with camber. I like the epoxy idea. I was thinking of a 1" corecell foam with longitudinal perforations for forming. Do you think 3 layers of 16 oz. cloth would be good in case he needs to get up there?

 

One layer should be sufficient aslong as it is someform of biaxial or equivelant. or is he gonna put a bridge on top?

 

No bridge, but maybe a radar post, plus other equipment. I need to look at what kind of unsupported span he may have. I might advise that he use high density Coosa or Penske core in known penetrations. Do you know where he can buy corecell or klegecell in perf'd pieces?

Thanks again.

 

YOu might want to look into the sources section of this website. and also ask others on the forum about suppliers in your area. WHom ever in your area that has reg clegcell does have the ability to order the preferated if they do not stock it. I buy mine from lewis marine.
Howard

 

Is he on Radio Island ?
Ben

 

nope. portland, maine.

 

hardtop

Checkout compositesone.com, then go to the links

 

Why not use a pvc core like cel tek, you'll never have rot again and you can mount whatever needs to be mounted to top.

 

This is a 9 year old thread . . .