Building a DIY T-Top Top for the Center Console Project Boat

Building a FRP cover for the T-Top which was designed for a soft top. Making an improvement and incorporating material I had on hand. A win win!

[@saltyhooker5785]

Most of us guys building at home deal with the same pains that your going through. The standard fiberglass day for me goes as follows; get everything prepped and ready, all tools and materials handy, and think about it excessively the night before so that no steps are missed. Then start the actual work of my well planned day and.... Everything goes wrong, I'm rushing the clock before it all kicks, I knock over buckets of resin, misplace my fin roller, step in my work piece and lose 5 pounds of water from sweat. Then when it's all said and done somehow it usually works out and I can't believe how great it looks after sanding, especially knowing the 15 disasters that almost ruined the day I had so well planned. Your doing a killer job and I'm stoked Everytime you post a new video!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Norcal you are a brother from another mother. Thanks Barry

[@vanceharmon3481]

I have been doing this for a living for forty three years. I have really enjoyed your videos. What you don't know you invented great job

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Vance I have never been afraid of the unknown. Sometimes that is a good thing and sometimes not so much. Thanks Barry

[@Crewsy]

It’s looking good Barry. I’m glad you didn’t fall off the “scaffold” you set up. My heart even took an extra jump when you stepped from the T top to the top (no step) of the ladder. It’s great to see your channel is growing so much. I’ve been “watchin” your videos for quite a while now and it’s great to see that others are enjoying them too. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Wayne! Barry

[@liampridmore1862]

Hi mate, I’m watching your series from Australia and I love how in-depth and thought out all your work is. It’s definitely helped me with my own projects and giving me ideas to make them work a bit smother. Cheers mate Liam

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Liam Thanks for the comment! I enjoy making the videos and receiving nice comments is just a bonus. Good luck on your project and keep on watching! Barry

[@ARSttn1]

I enjoyed the video! I too lived in a location where it was difficult to just go down and pick up supplies. Only those who have experienced that lifestyle can thoroughly appreciate your “make due with what ya got” approach. Then spend the cure time wondering, get up in the morning and “get’er done”. 🧐

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Arnie I think it started from being poor. I can't call myself poor anymore but I have a hard time not acting like it. I do have the get'er done gene. Probably why I was a successful construction superintendent. Thanks for watching! Barry

[@user-pv4ld1je5x]

I am fix up my old boat. You have some good ideas. Thanks. Keep them coming.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed!

[@garrymitcham3308]

Awesome job! I need to repalce my cloth bimini with a Fiberglas top, and you just showed me exactly how to do it. I am using the existing Bimini frame for my frame. Thanks for sharing your skills.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank you Garry! good luck on your top. Barry

[@medicmcauley6729]

Looking great, such creativity.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Medic Thanks man! Barry

[@jacobblanzy4598]

Thanks for being so detailed and descriptive with your filming. I appreciate the creativity, time and effort you've put into this project. I have it in mind to rebuild a boat of my own one day, but that may not be for a few more years. However, your videos give me lots of inspiration and hope.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Jacob Thanks for the kind words! No need to wait on starting a project, just start a small one. Bigger ones will follow in time. Barry

[@NOT_FOR_HIRE]

I'm putting stringers and a floor in my first fiberglass boat when I came across your videos about a week ago. I just got caught up on the CC series. I really enjoy your videos and I'm excited to see that boat in the water! Watching from Connecticut!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

N F H Thanks for watching and good luck with your project! Barry

[@thewholeheartedmanwithjohn4048]

Great video. Great job!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

I can see that your name is well deserved! Thank you

[@KnottsFishing]

Looking good Berry!!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks man! And your boat is looking pretty spiffy also. Barry

[@fourscarriers7551]

I have a similar build coming up where i want to build a hard top for my boat where i wanted to use coosa board but your way seems to be a lot cheaper and I like it. I love the vide keep em coming

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Four S Good luck on your hard top and don't be afraid to try something different. Thanks for watching! Barry

[@dylanlaakea]

Great job and nice idea thanks

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the kudos! Barry

[@Jhwright07]

Looks great. I made my hard top out of an 8ft fiberglass tonneau cover that I got for $25 on facebook marketplace. Just another idea for anyone who may not have access to a large amount of Glass and resin. Keep up the great work. Love the channel!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

You are a kindred spirt! Thank you for the kind words and the good tip. Barry

[@hardtimesify]

Thank you brother. I'm building a 20ft centre console catamaran (*for a single 150hp OB). That will save me a ton of time and money.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

@@hardtimesify Good luck man, enjoy your build! Barry

[@mikea6773]

Thank you that’s a great idea

[@mrbassfisher1996]

I’ve been watching all your videos as I’m rebuilding one myself , got lots of ideas and watched all your videos about 5 times each lol wish I had patience to document it all other than pictures of everything

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Buddy But with software today you can make a pretty impressive video using only photographs. Dang, just watched your video. Quite a project! Happy Sanding! Barry

[@mrbassfisher1996]

@@barrylukebuilds7894 yea I threw that together after I commented last night . Definitely not a project for the weak lol

[@robertovalls]

Thanks for sharing, I been thinking of doing something like it.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Roberto Thanks for watching and good luck on your project! Barry

[@romariogoulbourne8797]

Great work

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Romario Thank you much! Barry

[@mmanut]

OUTSTANDING JOB ‼️👍👍🚤 Vinny 🇺🇸

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Buddy! Barry

[@Picasofly]

I used turtle wax car wax for my release agent when I made some fiberglass scupper clamshells. It worked really well.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank for the tip, my wife used lots of Treewax as a release agent, guess they are similar.

[@kirkpowell6161]

Another great video sir! I enjoy watching your project progress along, my only concern is that someday soon you'll be finished and then I will be left with one less channel to watch. Uuuuuuuunless you go right into another boat! :-)

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thank you Kirk! I am hoping that one day I will be finished. But I am a project guy so there might not be another boat out there but there will be something. Stay tuned! Thanks again Barry

[@rayelledge]

Yes on Bow rail re-install. Where did the battery end up? Recommendations: Two ships batteries with marine selector switch, mounted above waterline. Add permanent folding ladder to swim step, with at least three steps extending to and below waterline. Add extra bilge pump, minimum two electrical, two manual on board. Add high water bilge alarm. Mount LED running lights to T-Top, provides longer range visibility. c/o Capt. Ray, former yacht broker and current USCG 100T captain.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Ray Thanks for your vote and the tips! We are in agreement on the the other issues. Full scale electrical work starting soon! Barry

[@stevenreissr1938]

compressed air blown underneath the edges will lift it easy , also can use 'saran for a release agent

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Steven Thanks for watching and thanks for the tips. My wife uses saran to separate her molds from the mother molds, works great. Barry

[@budgetbuyer1534]

💥That is an amazing 1-man project.🏅 You are very talented 👏 I could use one of those on my "Abandoned Boston Whaler." 🎅

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

BB You are my best viewer of the day! Thank you Barry

[@budgetbuyer1534]

As a 100% disabled vet; I often find it hard to get out there and work on my Abandoned Boston Whaler... Watching your hard work really motivates me. Thankyou. 👍 Part 3 of my build is already filmed... Just have to find time to edit & post the video... LOL

[@StableNomad]

I like the aluminum walkboard and sawhorse table.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Ferinandsits I agree, they are very handy and I use them often. Not so much on scaffolding like they were designed but for everything else. Thanks Barry

[@abakerslife]

Glad I found this just as I'm about to make a roof for my own boat. I like the idea of the ribs but what would be a better material to cover them as the glassing looked like hard work?

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

If I were to do it all over again I would do the same thing with the exception of the glass I was using. Six oz mat in a 6 or 8" roll would have saved a lot of sanding and grinding. Thanks for watching and good luck with your project. Barry

[@minhpham8745]

It look good

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

MP Thank You! Barry

[@timortiz8021]

Nice. You can always put a grandkid on top of the T-top to sight fish for reds, tripletails or cobias. Lol. Be careful up on the gunnels. I would hate to see your next video upload be delayed.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Tim! Didn't think about grandkids. Maybe I should put a handrail around it and put them all up there! No plans on falling. Barry

[@1957cajun]

I am loving your videos and I’m in the process of rigging a used boat I just bought. I’m also dying to know where in Louisiana you are? I’m from Eunice.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Cajun Jim Thanks for the kind words! I am a Baton Rouge boy. Come visit some time when you get a chance. Barry

[@paulaquipel7472]

enjoyed watching this, subbed!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Paul Thanks for the Kudos, Barry

[@calvinb.ainsworth200]

Nice job!... leaned a lot thank you...what about rain water laying in the valleys ? ...or is that addressed in next part?

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Calvin No solution yet on rain water retention. There is only a little water that sits towards the front and back. For now, it is just sitting. I will need to address this eventually, I think. Barry

[@powderhogg01]

love your content man. appreciate you making this.. im curious on your thoughts on m project. Everything from the gas tank aft on my 22 foot searay cuddy is solid with no moisture found. I pulled everything from the stern to the cabin. I am ready to replace the stringers and have a sheet of divynicell but since im not going to pull the cabin apart, i was curious if the weight difference might be an issue. plywood cabin, divynicell from the cabin aft? i also have a sheet of plywood to use, which I feel like I may do to keep weights equal?

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

G.O. Thanks for the kudos. I am not really qualified to be answering these type of questions but I will answer anyway. I don't don't think going lighter could ever be a problem. It is just too easy to add weight after the fact, like adding another battery of something similar. Now if it is built too heavy, could be a problem. Barry

[@powderhogg01]

@@barrylukebuilds7894 I guess my main concern was the plywood in the cabin being heavier than the rest of the stringers. making the bow heavier than the stern, especially when loaded with people and gear. the boat always had a soft deck, and in my opinion always rode like it was overweight. upon opening up the deck i found the foam just soaked. I likely removed several hundred pounds of moldy foam. the boat will be assembled exactly as it was, running 2 batteries on one side of the mercruiser, and a cooler on the other side. 2 classic fold flat seats on either side. As i noted above, the bulkhead at the cabin seems to have held the water damage back and I have found no moisture in the cabin areas, so I was not planning on tearing it out. thanks for the replies and keep up the great work. your an inspiration sir

[@johnclemente6615]

looks good add a gutter track around edge

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks John! Barry

[@cjmjourney]

Transmission oil is a good mold release agent for fiberglass and does not effect the resin.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Chandler Thanks for the tip! Barry

[@bubbleobill267]

Wax is even better. Or even better is mould release agent.

[@greggilbert9403]

How did you mount the top to the rails? Great video!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Thanks Greg! I drilled and tapped 1/4 X 20 bolts into the aluminum top at about 8" on center. As of right now the top is still in place. Barry

[@ME-qq2dc]

Hi mate looks good so far but I cannot find the next video where you finish of the top and install it on the frame??

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

MH Thanks buddy! So when you search you tube for Barry Luke Builds and you land on a video a little circle appears with a photo of my gate in the middle. Click on that and it will give you the option of listing all of my videos. Hopefully that will get you there. Barry

[@ME-qq2dc]

@@barrylukebuilds7894 cheers Barry

[@gabrielxai5321]

I've found, during my time as a mechanic in Australia. That many people ask "How much does it take to learn how to fibreglass?" The answer is pretty simple and always the same. "Do you remember how to paper maché for when you were a kid at school? Then trust me when I say, you can fiberglass... wether you use a frame or a mould. Its pretty much all the same. Just remember to have a sander ready to smooth out your project before painting."

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Gabriel You pretty much got it! Thanks for watching. Barry

[@johnjohns8079]

Just built one myself, i was too cheap to buy one.Built a mold and cord it with honeycomb.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

JJ Cheap is such an ugly word. Maybe you just wanted a better one! Barry

[@aldeezeefouronefeezzee837]

What was your dimensions for the hardtop? If you don’t mind me asking

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

The boat is not at my house but when I get to my foundry I will check for you, if I can remember,

[@user-iq6ec1if1y]

Use a paint roller instead of a brush you'll have a lot better luck

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Agree! I mostly use a roller but I guess it was not filmed this time.

[@843Landbased]

Did he just say rocket launchers 😂😂

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Ek I did, I thought that's what they are called, no? Barry

[@br5498]

Hey Barry were you a Hull Tech ?

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Tony More of a concrete, deep excavations, pumps and piping Tech. The glass work I just guess at. Thanks for watching. Barry

[@br5498]

@@barrylukebuilds7894 sorry I thought you were a old navy sailor with the shirt and all… my mistake..

[@ZenRacingForza]

For the love of god man. What model video camera comes stock with a dozen rocks in it? Pro tip. If you end up with deplorable audio when your editing the video, do what you did during the table saw shot. Voice over. I am sure you have a hammer in your shop. Grab it and smash that camera….

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Zen I understand that it is not good to hold all those feelings and thoughts in. It would be better for your long term health if you could learn to express your feelings and get them out. Just kidding This video is a couple of years old and no complaints recently so maybe that issue is behind me. But I never claimed to be good at editing.

[@vanceharmon3481]

Polyester dissolves any petroleum products car wax is actually not really wax. Mold releases wax is water based.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Vance Another good piece of information. Barry

[@BackyardBoatworks]

Nida core sheets would have worked a lot easier.

[@blindmullet78]

FGCI 1/2" honeycomb is only $55 a sheet. :)

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

BB You are most likely correct. But there always seems to be a better, easier, faster, stronger, lighter, smoother, shinier, method if we were to just buy "this" product. My goal in making this top was to use the materials I had on hand. Besides, Nida, honeycomb and other marine specialty products are not available here and with shipping costs added they can become a real expense. Thanks for watching! Barry

[@toverturf9097]

Next time look fop a used cheap fiberglass pickup topper and cut your top from that. I've made several tops from them.

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

T O Thanks for watching and thanks for posting the tip. Not sure if it would have worked on mine because of the compound curve but I am sure it would work on most tops. Barry

[@toverturf9097]

@@barrylukebuilds7894 The best part is you have a wealth of corners and flanges from the topper.

[@SeeAdvertisement]

more danger is dry glass than wet, wear mask and gloves!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

Jason I can't argue Barry

[@anthonyloveday3654]

I watch half of this video, then stopped. His practice on putting fiberglass down is miss informing on his actions. You shouldn't BRUSH the resin onto the chop fiberglass, it miss configures the fiberglass, but what do I know, I don't do shade tree fiberglass!!!

[@barrylukebuilds7894]

But Anthony, I do do shade tree fiberglass. And shade tree welding, and shade tree painting, and shade tree casting...