Part 6, Smuggler 28 - Building a hardtop for my boat from scratch

I've now come to a point where I start building the roof/hardtop. The boat has been sitting outside in the cold during the vinter and it has been too cold to work on it.
I also had bike accident which set me back three months, so I'm really eager to get this going and many thoughts of how I´ll design and construct this has gone through my head. So now we jump from part 5 which took place in January to July 2022.
I had 5 days to finish this before I needed to clear out my backyard and I actually made it.

[@johnduncan9749]

I like the hardtop it's a nice design. I have a 25' Sportcraft hardtop but it does not cover the entire deck, so I use PVC pipe frame with camo netting to block the sun on hot days that I put up and remove at sunset. I store the pipe on the floor under the gunnels.

[@boatdevoted]

Thank you! The sportscraft 25’ is a really nice looking boat. Does it work well with your solution even if you don’t lie still, or do you need support in all corners?

[@johnduncan9749]

@@boatdevoted It only works when anchored. I use 2 pipes coming off the roof secured with 2 hose clamps on each side on the grab rail that I never remove so just slide the pipes in and on the other end 2 pipes for legs with a 3-way connector with 1 pipe going across to tie it all together secured with set screws in the 3-way connector. In the corners I use a rubber strap screwed into the gunnels. Takes 5 minutes to set up and take down.

[@dannyjones3840]

Next time use pva for mold release, it'll pop out a lot easier

[@boatdevoted]

thanks! usually it´s not a problem with the melamin molds I use. In this case I´d by mistake glassed a bit too much down in the sun-roof cornes and the fiberglass was bent around the edges and locked everything.