Ali Hard top

 

Hi all,

 

I've recently purchased a 5.5 plate ali (2.2 beam) and am considering adding a hard top to replace the bimini which is currently attached to the ali launcher.   After opinions from anyone who has done this or considered as to what difference it makes to stability and handling given the difference it would create in the centre of gravity of the boat.  Is this a significant issue?  

 

cheers 


Browndog's picture

Posts: 581

Date Joined: 10/04/12

Hardtop

Mon, 2021-03-15 20:55

 Hi Bradmac, I did similar on my old 5m plate boat - would do it again in a heartbeat. Made a massive difference to my enjoyment of the boat, with no noticeable change in how she performed. As a bonus I had an extended shade that came off the back of the old bimini, my mate that did teh fab work welded a couple of sockets so this just slipped on and extended the shade rearwards, without blocking off access to the rod holders. Worked mint.

 

Just do it.

 

Cheers,

BD

Bradmac73's picture

Posts: 175

Date Joined: 22/03/17

thanks mate

Tue, 2021-03-16 11:31

 

appreciate the info.  

Alpha's picture

Posts: 193

Date Joined: 13/02/17

Soft top

Mon, 2021-03-15 21:20

Cant help with the build Bradmac have never done it. But have now owned both and I find that with a hard top they lean into the wind a lot more than the softy. So if and when you do it I would recommend a set of  trim tabs. 

Bradmac73's picture

Posts: 175

Date Joined: 22/03/17

thanks Alpha

Tue, 2021-03-16 11:31

 

Thanks for the info Alpha