How To? Design Custom Top 42' Cigarette

We have a folding top with enclosure that serves its purpose. But we want to upgrade with either a hardtop or a fixed soft top to get more shaded area and make improvements to the arch with mount for SAT TV antenna.

Are there private designers who can draw/cad/photoshop our boat and show a few options? If so how do I find someone and what does that cost (approx.)
We just feel that if we can decide upon a design/colors/materials, etc. with a designer,, We could be more efficeient in choosing a fabricator/installer. And not waste peoples time not knowing what we want,

Thx for any info

 

http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/8406

Your boat needs something unique along these lines.

 

Let's see, if you have properly explained what you want, everyone knows what you want and therefore everyone can participate. If you have not explained well what you want, you do not need a designer but a guess.
By the way, nice boat.

 

Looking at that boat's stance, I'd say it does not need any more weight aft, I'd say keeping any addition quite light would be a must.

 

This is a pretty simple proposition and regularly done in the industry. There are lots of firms that can help, though which one, is probably more of a "feel" thing, so you can get what you want.

Most fab shops (tuna towers, arches, etc.) can do a reasonable job for you, though it might not be engineered well or in keeping with what you'd really like, though it'll probably stand up to some abuse (read heavier than necessary). I see this a lot on arches and towers.

On the other hand, if you have a fabricator and you can communicate well with a designer or engineer, you'll get an end result that more closely follows you needs and desires. The only way to get this is face time with prospective designers. Email can cover much of this and followed by a few phone calls to touch base on "proofs" of the proposed structure, typically gets it done quickly. Hell, you don't even need to wait for plans to arrive in the mail, most can upload a CAD file or PDF, directly to your email or your fabricator.

I'm not sure where you are in Maryland (I grew up on the eastern shore), but there are lots of outfits that can get 'er done. Call around, get a feel for what's available and see if anyone strikes your fancy.

 

Swampy wants to do same but you fish more than I do. Have you seen the short hard tops with telescoping stainless steel poles mounted horizontally to extend a soft top rearward when needed and out of the way when fishing?