Serious Project : Off with my Canopy !!!!!

[2TR]

This is going to be a fun project, I plan on removing my F16 2 person Canopy and grafting on a 4 person custom canopy so I can use the boat for more that racing and poker runs.

If I'm unhappy with the looks I'll just pull the plug and build an open cockpit much like a Motion or Spec. 30ft cat.

Any words of advice ??

[Airpacker]

Ya, measure TWICE, cut once

[Ratickle]

This is going to be a fun project, I plan on removing my F16 2 person Canopy and grafting on a 4 person custom canopy so I can use the boat for more that racing and poker runs.

If I'm unhappy with the looks I'll just pull the plug and build an open cockpit much like a Motion or Spec. 30ft cat.

Any words of advice ??

Sweet Rick, you know I've talked about that for a long time.

Wonder if Artie's ever modified one??????

[2TR]

Ya, measure TWICE, cut once

I was thinking measure 3 times, than mock it up that cut... LOL.

Last night we built a scale replica in the garage of the cock pit to measure head room, elbow room, leg room, throttle/shifter placement.

Next step is to wash the boat, than cover it with cardboard find all my center lines than draw with marker on the cardboard the shape of the new lid.

[Sean H]

What kind of layup and specs are you going to use for the canopy and cockpit?

[MOBILEMERCMAN]

It may be worth getting quotes on the pod piece and install it.

[2TR]

It may be worth getting quotes on the pod piece and install it.

I did from *&^%$*& :ack2 (*): ... at the price I was offered I'll just cut the top off and make it a pleasure boat and save 15k.

*Name withheld to protect the over priced.


As far a Lay-up (?), no idea. Glassdave will be helping with the build and to make sure its extra save. I have a laid-off GM designer he used to work with Clay building prototype cars. He will be shaping the canopy from foam once I get the numbers and remove the current canopy.

Once hes done with the full size foam canopy I'll have Dave pull a plug off it.

I would also like to build in a Chromoly roll cage system for extra strength, but the boats top speed will only be 100mph so that may not be needed... but I have lots of time to work out those issues once step 1 threw 20 are finished.

[Sean H]

Should be a fun project.

Make sure you do the window/flange/mask correctly, don't want them falling out or failing.

[waterboy222]

Are you doing a side by side 4 seater with one canopy or open-cat style 1/4 canopys? Either way, im subscribing to this thread! Always enjoy talkin to you about your boat!

[Rik]

Yea, this will be an interesting project. If you need windscreens or canopies, let me know.

[2TR]

Are you doing a side by side 4 seater with one canopy or open-cat style 1/4 canopys? Either way, im subscribing to this thread! Always enjoy talkin to you about your boat!

Full canopy, like the Saracen Supercat Outboard runs overseas. The idea is to stretch it out if needed to accept 2 rear seats.

I like the style and it should look nice wit the current lines on my boat.

[chris sunsation]

Full canopy, like the Saracen Supercat Outboard runs overseas. The idea is to stretch it out if needed to accept 2 rear seats.

I like the style and it should look nice wit the current lines on my boat.

this will be a cool project for sure. Let me know when you are working on it I'll stop over with a case of blue mountains

[Offshore Ginger]

I have put on more then one four man canopy in the past and just curious is Dave going to make it as thick as a Skater canopy for the pure fact that they are built like a brick $hit house with some serious beef ? I think the 4 man is going to look and be awsome .

[Ratickle]

Any words of advice ??

Stop doing this.......

[Ratickle]

I have put on more then one four man canopy in the past and just curious is Dave going to make it as thick as a Skater canopy for the pure fact that they are built like a brick $hit house with some serious beef ?

I was hoping you had.

What is the lightest, strong enough, way to build it for a absolute 120mph top speed boat. His is already heavy as is.

Carbon Kevlar weave with epoxy and a moly frame? Or ??????

[Ratickle]

Any words of advice ??

And stop doing this too........

[2TR]

I have put on more then one four man canopy in the past and just curious is Dave going to make it as thick as a Skater canopy for the pure fact that they are built like a brick $hit house with some serious beef ? I think the 4 man is going to look and be awsome .

Not sure, but I will be taking Dave's advice about material, thickness and roll cage.

Safety first because you can go back and fix dead!

[MattBMiller]

And stop doing this too........

Damn....beat me to it!

[2TR]

And Yes Paul, I wont be burning my boat to the ground any time soon ...

[Sean H]

I wouldn't put a steel cage in an outboard boat, a well designed canopy/cockpit liner system with an integral glass cage should be more than enough.

As nice as a carbon/kevlar canopy/cockpit sounds, that would end up costing probably more than what you want to put in that boat. Building an adequate bulkhead/liner system, canopy, windscreens, latch hardware, escape hatch, etc will be expensive enough.