Boat Top Materials

[Bassblaster]

Hey everyone,

I'm thinking of making myself a custom top for my boat, but I have no idea where to get materials, or how expensive this endeavour might be.

I'd like to do the new cover in a medium blue to match the striping on the boat, and build a new taller frame for the cabin. Any suggestions for sources of materials including the flexible plastic that they make the windows out of would be great. Approximate costs would be even better.

If anyone has done this before, any tips in advance would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cheech]

The supplier for all that stuff is a company called J Ennis. Awesome catalogue of fabrics and hardware.
You may need a 'connection' to get your hands on what you require. gl

http://www.jennisfabrics.com/JEnnisFabrics/Home.jef

 

[JAC]

Hey Bassblaster!!!

I have build a few boat tops in the last few year!! I would sugested that you make your frame out of Stainless rod its much stronger than aluminum but also more money. For material you can use Sunbrella or Top Gun both are good I have only used Sunbrella and I really like the material. I live in the okanagan and I fish in the winter both of these materials don't shrink when the temp drops which is great!! Good luck.

jac

I build most of my tops from $1500-$1800 Stainless mateial and labour all in!!!

 

[King_Cod]

The clear plastic for windows is sold at fabric land in town.

 

[profisher]

The popular acrylic stuff I (green, blue, brown etc) while decent at being waterproof, doesn't shrink and lasts a fair time...it is a fire accelerator. Scary how the stuff burns, not good in a small boat where there is little room to get away from the flames.

 

[chris73]

Build a hard top. You won't regret it.

 

[beemer]

I'm with Chris , I built a aluminum hardtop for my trophy this past winter and I would never go back to canvas. The DIY price works out to about the same!! Go for it!

beemer

 

[Bassblaster]

Interesting concept guys. Can you send me some pics?

 

[SeaWolf]

If you decide on a Soft Top, I'm sure you can buy all the stuff locally at Class A Interiors accross from River Sportsman.

 

[Bassblaster]

Thanks SeaWolf, I'll check them out.

 

[Prawn Star]

I have had this same work done by Clark at Top Stitch on 16th Ave in CR. Excellent work fairly priced.

 

[Bassblaster]

Hey PS, what kind of dollars was it for your redo? When I took the boat out this weekend most of the window plastic self-destructed, so at the very least I'm going to need that looked at.

 

[SeaWolf]

Looked at the top on your boat, it looks very similar to the one I did on my 16 ft'er a few moons ago. Got rid of the entry on the top, used the old top as a template. Bought all the parts and we did it ourselves. If either you or the wife can sew on a machine it is pretty easy.

http://www.jtstopshop.com/products/...subcategory=62&size=0&search=&scBrand=0&page=

 

[chris73]

Here is a picture of the hard top I built.

http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/showthread.php?10724-Forum-members-BOATS/page5