[300sflyer]

For the last few weeks my wife and I have been working in our spare time, on new covers for the boat. My wife is quite the mean sewer, and together with my help, we have a new camper top, bow cover, and travelling cover.

We only had one piece from the original camper top to use as a template. The rest was all created as we went along out of Sunbrella. I bent up new aluminum tubes, added stainless steel hardware, [the old stuff was plastic] and added the windows made of Strataglass in the front, sides, and back. [oops.. I mean stern] Total cost of the materials was about $500.00, and the labor... well I stopped counting hours about half way through... but it was lots!

Here are 3 pics of the camper top, with the bow cover, and I will add more pictures of the travelling cover in a day or two.

Let me know what you think guys.

[ShabahZ280]

WOW

Way to go! That's a seriously good looking setup you've got there! I wish I had one for mine!!!

[indykoch]

Me too!!! Great job!!! Any chance of starting a new business over there???

[300sflyer]

Thanks for the compliments guys! No plans to go into business doing boat tops. Just too much time involved in these things without having templates for each piece! One boat was enough!

[rpeterson]

I agree, looks great, you should be proud of that. I think I'll take one in red thou.

[ShabahZ280]

Couple questions, can you take a photo of the hardware? I'm assuming there's another pole in the rear, correct? Once you remove the canvas and windows, does the hardware stay fully mounted while you're underway, or does it stow someplace?

And this "Strataglass", is that something that's easily attainable? I only have the factory top, which snaps on the windshield and just covers the front seats. Wondering if the local canvas shop could fabricate something like this and what it would cost?

It's a shame you wouldn't make any more of these, they are definitely totally professional and sleek looking. C'mon, you know it'd make a great gift to the admins on the board for the 1yr anniversary of the site!

[mis4tun81]

That looks great.

My Z275 has the original Vinyl cocpit & bow covers that are beat. I was able to find enough sunbrella on Ebay to sew up replacements. But I haven't done anything yet, because I had too many unanswered questions.


its hard to tell, but it looks like you folded the edge over and sewed to reinforce it, or did you use some sort of binding around the edge.

What kind of thread did you use, and did you use a regular sewing machine, if so, did it have trouble with multiple layers of canvas & binding.

where did you buy the snaps were you able to get them in bulk somewhere?

Thanks alot for any additional info you can provide,

I look forward to not fighting the vinyl on a chilly night.

[WetWilly]

Geez, since everyone else is asking....

Hi 300sflyerm great looking top for sure! Your wife is definitely the seamstress! BTW, do you think she would mind doing the top for my 70 Mustang?

WetWilly

[300sflyer]

Wow... Lots of interest! Must be summer time when everyone is thinking about boating again.

Once removed, everything is stored under the rear hatch behind the engine dog house. The ends of the polls fit just nicely in the holes on both sides.

All of the edges of the Sunbrella are folded over, and double stitched. The side windows, and rear side panels are zippered in place, and can be removed to use the top without them, kind of like a bimini top. There is a second pole, to hold up the rear half of the top, and the rear section with the window in it. I also installed straps to keep the rear pole in place when the rear section with the window is not used. The thread is nylon, and is for outdoor use. The wifes sewing machine [she has 4 different ones] while not an industrial machine, is an older one made back in the 60's, and would likely sew through 1/2" steel... Well not quite, but you get the idea.

All of the stainless steel fittings and snaps are available in limited quantities or in bulk if you prefer. The Strataglass came in a .030"x 54" x 110" sheet. This stuff is not cheap though at $160.00 a sheet!

I bought everything through a local wholesaler. http://www.jackson.ca/GNJ%20Marine.htm [Click on the pdf file in the lower left corner]

Here are two more pictures.

Wet Willy... If you can drop the convertible Mustang off up here in Ontario Canada, the top you need will be complete by the early fall. Course there may be a few extra miles on the odometer when you return to pick it up.

[300sflyer]

Here are 3 pictures of the travelling/mooring cover. Just like the camper top, its made of Sunbrella.