BUILDING a HARDTOP BIMINI for my CATAMARAN! Part 1

[@jandradventures]

Hey! We are excited to be getting this video out for you guys finally! We have missed posting. Go follow us on instagram, we post there pretty regularly. If you are interested in supporting the channel we have memberships and a patreon accounts as well as some cool shirts. Links in description. :) Got some more big projects coming up if you guys are interested in seeing those. Probably going to do some synthetic rigging on the boat. Let us know if you're interested in seeing that!

[@russgaulke1364]

One thing i especially appreciate about your DIY videos is that Ryan is an average guy when it comes to construction skills, but makes it work. Pretty impressive hardtop so far.

[@Catamarans]

Ryan, you are amazing.

[@larrydicenzo3826]

Big project, proud of you for taking it on

[@obieandlaurie]

Love the reggae riddims…and congrats on the new little one! 🥂🌴🌬🌊

[@jandradventures]

Thank you!

[@KatieBear123]

So happy to see a video! We're looking forward to more in the future. :)

[@jonathanmartin2480]

Great to see you guys back in the saddle!

[@justwayne4785]

Hey Ryan, too late for this project I know, but by far the best KZbin channel I’ve come across so far about how to do fibreglass or any other boat project is the Onboard Lifestyle channel, Teal pretty much rebuilt their catamaran from scratch, and SV Basik now looks better than most new builds out there lol

[@notwrk]

I am very impressed! Quite the undertaking 😁

[@stephboeker7835]

Good job !! Good luck w/ the final steps. Looking forward to seeing the finished product.

[@mikeh720]

Welcome back you guys! I figured you'd given up on vlogging with 2 littles, Arya, boat work, and work-work. Missed your intro tune more than I thought...LOL (Pass on a "hello, go Bills" to Kelsey for me!)

[@jandradventures]

Thanks! We never give up, we are just inconsistent sadly. lol. Having a boat and babies is a lot of work! Ha

[@2008Vanna]

Great job!... and I know how hard you worked on this!!

[@stevethuss2707]

awesome job ryan, awesome.

[@benghis_kaan]

Huge project! Nice work, looks really good imo

[@TotalBoat]

This is looking great!! Looking forward to part 2!

[@jandradventures]

Thanks!

[@paulcollins9197]

Missed you guys

[@jandradventures]

Missed all of you guys!

[@Infinityrob8]

Prob not the best weather to work in but you guys did great…if you can say what the life and wear and tear between epoxy and poly resin …thanks

[@mr.austin167]

Nice work, Ryan! Please tell Jessica hello.

[@IsmokeHiphopLive]

Ryan great video honestly.

[@jandradventures]

Thanks!

[@Dh-de9op]

good video,well done.

[@mandmmilling3716]

wax then gelcoat, then start laying up

[@javierbetancourt9388]

Good job 👍

[@MycSailor]

I used 1/8” white pvc sheets 4’ by 8’ to top my stainless custom hardtop. This is way to much work I thought. Pvc has a clean and not home made look and isn’t comprised of fiberglass and gel coat which doesn’t last forever. Great effort though. You guys helped me make my decision. Thanks

[@modracer33]

For your wood panel spread a layer of Elmer's wood glue down and wax it. This will release easily after resin or gel coat is applied.

[@secondstartotheright]

Great video guys!! Did you ever consider form oil as a release agent? Works great for Portland cement forms.

[@FtLMale1]

Hi, just discovered you guys, and after watching this I subscribed... Yeah, it's that good! This is the kind of project I always wonder about the difficulty and design, which you have answered both relating to your situation. It's also the kind of project I'd want to join in, to increase my knowledge and to have more questions answered. One question... on your three mold release tests, the first was over plastic wrap of some kind; it shriveled. Was this a chemical reaction or what? I ask as I've used wide clear packing tape over thickened resin to smooth the final finish with good results.

[@Pat_Scratchers]

Talk to teal from onboard lifestyle sailing channel he just finished the same thing your attempt now. No wood used he used 1/2 in core honeycomb 3 layers cloth.

[@jandradventures]

Just met up with him actually, in CA and saw his Bimini! :)

[@IrishPirateMusic]

@@jandradventures I followed his vlog on the bimini build and it was an amazing project. So well thought out an engineered. Very cool you got to see it first hand.

[@graeme-sailingskeptic]

well done

[@shaunh6875]

Final top coat could be quicker using a Schutz gun & Upol Raptor

[@southerntexashomestead5028]

Oh my goodness, wish you could have watched S/V Spoondrifter's video of their hard Bimini cover build before you started. They used a great material that looked very durable and much easier. Maybe you can check out their youtube channel in case you need to have a back up plan. Cheers, S/V Cork ~

[@SaltyEscape]

Ryan did a great job here, but I was thinking the same thing! Todd (sailing spoondrifter) did an amazing job with the expanded PVC boards. I think I'm going to use the same product he did. Cheers - Corey ( YT channel- Salty Escape)

[@davidgardener4139]

Looks like a tough project but looking good 👍

[@jandradventures]

Thanks!

[@breadthroughthefire]

Solar panels is a good idea.

[@SaltyEscape]

Great Job Guys! We've been thinking of taking on this project on our Cat. Question... Did you reinforce the existing Bimini frame? Excited to see you back on here! Cheers - Corey (KZbin Channel Salty Escape)

[@jandradventures]

Thanks! He did not.

[@IamPreacherMan]

Sailors complaining about wind. Lmao. Ironic. I feel it.

[@STRUTZKOFF]

100$ a gallon? We get it for 7$ / kg for gel coat

[@Hotzenplotz1]

Hi, why don't you use foam core or the plywood as core to glass on? Building a mold is a step to much, only worth if you want to do several hardtops or can't work where the hardtop is gonna sit. Both is not the case as it seems to me. Gluing the sides is also not a problem in place on the structure.

[@kevinfisher1345]

He partly explained this in the video. It has a frame that already adds plenty of support, so there is no need to give it any additional support with added foam core or plywood. Plus as he stated that would just add add'l weight. As well as additional costs and shipping costs. So yea if you want or need more support or weight, go ahead and use a foam core or plywood to glass right over top of. But as he did not, building a mold was not an extra step. Your method adds extra step of needing to glass both sides instead of one. Again if you need that extra support, that is worth it.

[@ricbailey170]

You should reach out to Colin on Parley. He’s become and expert at this. You might have included some honeycomb as well sandwiched init.

[@noitalever585]

You guys are still a thing, huh? Well, ok…..whatchya got?