Off the shelf or custom boat shade/targa top
After a recent overnighter to rotto - and with the kids getting old enough to enjoy days on the boat (2 and 4 years old) - I'm looking at putting some shade on my 5mtr swiftcraft.
First thing I did was started to draw up some plans for a targa top sort of thing, to be made of stainless steel complete with rocket launcher, a basket on top to hold things and all the fruit. Haven't sought quotes yet but I cant imagine it I would get any change from $2k.
Then during my research I came across this: Oceansouth Targa Top
So naturally I did more research...this was really the only thing I could find available "off the shelf" BUT it does fit the basic requirements (and would fit the boat without modification) for what seems to be a good price.
But $500 is still $500 ! So I wanted to check some other people's thoughts on purchasing something cheap (and potentially nasty?) like this compared to spending more for a custom job ?
Also, would a targa top like this put too much pressure on the fibreglass ? Even with the custom design I've drawing up I plan to use plates on the inside and outside of the fibreglass to distribute the load - but I do worry about how strong the old swift's fibreglass gunnel might be.
Interested to hear any thoughts for/against.
Thanks !
eziliving
Posts: 865
Date Joined: 30/12/09
Maybe make it out of Ali and
Maybe make it out of Ali and powder coat to save costs and Being that the kids are young I would put the shade right to the transom that way they can move about all over the boat. Even have a support pole at the transom like a lot of the boats do up north. I still reckon you would be around the 2k mark by the time you put canvas on the frame work.
the neighbour got a stainless canopy made for his boat and it is relatively small and that cost him $4k
Get busy living, or get busy dying!
Francis
Posts: 326
Date Joined: 17/06/08
I did just get some rough
I did just get some rough quotes and you are right. Ive been quoted up to 4k for ali and 6k for stainless. So if i do go custom fab it would be ali construction for sure.
scubafish
Posts: 949
Date Joined: 15/08/12
Shade
Was looking at same for my boat ,have a radio/Arial tower on mine and was looking for that ali track stuff that holds a rope sown into a piece of shad cloth .
Always looking to do diy and cheap, no lotto winner here .
EDIT;
Aim dumb ass just workout what its called .
https://www.bunnings.com.au/metal-mate-27-95-x-12-7-x-1-7mm-1m-aluminium-section-sail-track_p1109887
Just found this guy
https://theshadecentre.com.au/
http://img.gg/BQ91Sys
Francis
Posts: 326
Date Joined: 17/06/08
That sounds like a good idea
That sounds like a good idea for fixing the shade cloth. My jayco camper has that sail track all around and it works really well and super easy to use. So no reason it wouldnt work well on a boat and look tidy
dano83
Posts: 790
Date Joined: 25/05/12
I was thinking a retractable
I was thinking a retractable canopy like ya got on4x4 wouldn't be too hard to modify it to work
selthy
Posts: 286
Date Joined: 27/05/11
Nice idea. Has anyone seen
Nice idea. Has anyone seen this done before? Thinking it wouldn't be too hard to attach to existing cabin roof/rocket launchers and fix to 2 removable poles that go into 2 rear rod holders.
joel231
Posts: 107
Date Joined: 18/09/12
I got a t-top for mine
I got a t-top for mine aftermarket. was just over $2k, installed it myself.
Red circles are where it folds down so i can fit it in my shed. Also remove it sometimes when its not required etc.
Cheers Joel
Francis
Posts: 326
Date Joined: 17/06/08
Thats nice - what brand is
Thats nice - what brand is that ? Looks to be stainless, not ali - so $2k sounds like a good price !
joel231
Posts: 107
Date Joined: 18/09/12
Francis, Its a Fishmaster
Francis,
Its a Fishmaster brand one, its also ali not stainless.
Here is a link to it.
fishmaster.com/fishmaster-folding-t-top.html
Cheers Joel
Tawihiri
Posts: 18
Date Joined: 07/12/14
Dolphin T Tops
Takes about 2 - 3 weeks from Sydney , they look good havent had it long enough or in bad conditions though to give you a decent opinion.
About $1300 - $1500 mine was a bit more as I bought a few accessories.
Tawihiri
Posts: 18
Date Joined: 07/12/14
Dolphin T Top
http://www.dolphinttops.com.au/boat-t-top/102
Francis
Posts: 326
Date Joined: 17/06/08
That looks good, nice and
That looks good, nice and solid (50mm tube vs 32mm of the oceansouth) and comes with some nice accessories. I'd be more confident with storing rods on that compared with the oceansouth. Looks like it's pretty customizable in terms of mounting as well.
Thanks for the suggestion, I'm seriously considering that model now. I'll have a play with the measuring tape.
twicther
Posts: 200
Date Joined: 31/12/11
Jesus bar
One thing to consider when a canopy is being made that i noticed when going on a mates boat recently, we had quite rough conditions and his pipe work on the canopy was 40-50mm. When this is vertical holding on tightly for extended periods becomes awkward.
My own Jesus bars are 19mm and horizontal. Its OK for the skipper but the passengers have a tough time hanging on. Especially when salt spray is wetting everything as well.
And the bigger the better i found. I sleep up top on overnighters, plus swags up top out of the road. My boat is ali so the foundation is solid on my Westerberg.
Francis
Posts: 326
Date Joined: 17/06/08
Interesting point, never
Interesting point, never considered that the wider diameter would be harder to hold on to. Good point