T-Top Enclosure

[BuilderFL]

I'm looking into getting an enclosure similar to this one and have had local quotes from $850-$1,200. Did not realize it could be so expensive. What do you guys think about the price?

[spareparts]

thats a good price if they are using good material, around here it would be closer to $1500. Find some of their past customers, make sure they are using a quality clear material. Find out how long the clear paenls will last. And lastly, make sure you have a good place to store it when you're not using it, if you can't keep it in a safe place while on board, don't use it unless you plan to keep it up the whole trip, otherwise don't waste you're money on it, with out a safe place to store it, it won't last

[BuilderFL]

Spare, they have both mentioned Sunbrella with strataglass 40 gauge for the clear vinyl. It just seems so much money for so little material/work. It's just the front panel and two sides.

[spareparts]

Sunbrella and strata are good products, there are better out there, I can't keep up with whats what with the canvas stuff, I got a guy here that I just tell him to do the best he can and he ussually hooks me up. Like I said, if you don't have a place to stow it on board, don't spen the money, it won't look good after one season and you'll be pissed with how much you spent. Keep in mind, most canvas shops consider, three seasons as the life span of a canvas job that stays out in the sun. Look into having a larger plaexi windshild made, make it removeable or flip down like a golf cart windshild, that should help and be a lot cheaper. Then use canvas only on the wing panels, should keep the cost down and make it stowable

[BuilderFL]

Good advise Spare, thanks!

[macojoe]

I have not got a enclosure for my boat yet, as they want $2000+ around here and I have a hard top all ready!
I only want on boat from April to June 1st, and Oct till end of November, But thats huge money for a short time, and the wind and stuff that time of year only lets you out a few times any way!

[kamikaze]

BuilderFL:

The largest cost for the raw materials needed is actually in the Strataglass - Very expensive and only goes to reenforce if you don't have a place to store it your wasting your money on the prodcut. You can use a lower grade (optically speaking) 40 gauge vinyl and save a bunch of money.

I have a Sailrite LS-1 sewing machine I bought for canvas work, but realistically any good used sewing machine will work. You can purchased bonded polyester threads (UV protect / all weather) in small enough diameters and prep the needle with lubricant sufficiently enough that it will sewing through the sunbrella and vinyl without a problem. The real trick is don’t pull on the thread if you get a jam - ITS NOT GOING TO BREAK and can mess up the timing of sewing machine in a heartbeat.


Checkout Rockfordsupply (http://www.rochfordsupply.com/) for materials.

Attaching strip: http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Boating_and_Marine/Awning_Rail/index.html

Vinyl Slide for canvas:
http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Boating_and_Marine/Boating_Miscellaneous/Vinyl_Beaded_Welt/index.html

I have used this vinyl in 40 gauge and have found it holds up rather well.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Textiles/Clear_Vinyl/index.html

I have found the cheapest place for Sunbrella is Ebay. if you keep your eye out you can get a good deal on enough fabric to make what you need.


You can also check out sailrite.com for video's on how to make/sew the pieces and parts needed to put it together. Give it a try it’s not that hard.

Kamikaze

[BuilderFL]

Kami, a lot of good info and links in your post, and the idea of the vinyl in 40 gauge makes a lot of financial sense to me, specially from what the others have said. It's just for those few and far in between times when I just don't want to get wet. I take the boat out a lot on Biscayne Bay at night just to cruise, stop by the water front watering holes in the Miami River or the Intercoastal and I if the wind is blowing like tonight, east northeast winds 15 to 20 knots, I'm soaked to the bone while crossing the bay.

Thanks,

PS, About doing the job myself...not too sure about my skills in that area, but I'm going to see if I can buy the material and get a canvas shop to do it.

[spareparts]

just buy a second V, get a cuddy cabin this time

[phatdaddy]

builder, i remember seeing a "will fit" version in a catalogue for around $250-$300. i fish with a guy who has a 20 dusky and he was looking at one. i googled overtons, west,etc and could not find it. u may be able to locate one.