enclosure questions ??

phester · #1 09-12-2005, 07:29 PM

a few weeks back Skools Out posted up an enclosure on ebay...400.00$, I ran down to New Jersey[120 miles] and grabbed it. It's in perfect cond.Over the weekend I messed around w/ it for about an hour to see how it was going to fit on my boat.I knew I was'nt gonna get lucky enough for all the snaps to line up. All snaps on windshield slide,so across the windshield and down the windshield I'm good.It was obvious to see that the whole enclosure has to be raised up 3 to 3 1/2 inches.I know it would be best if I had some pics to post,unfortunatley,I dont.I think what has to happen is that it has to be mounted on the very top step of my gunwhale,right now I have a long sliding track on the "lower" step of the gunwhale [1986 hull] .Bottom line is ...has anybody else bought an enclosure and needed to make any sort of alterations.I'm pretty close to having it done professionally,but to save a couple of bucks I'd give it a go if it's not to hard to do.I did scroll thru the gallery and saw some tops mounted off the top rail on the windshield,others I just really could'nt tell what was going on.If I recall,did'nt Bluerunner buy Francos enclosure...I'll have to go back to the gallery and look...any other tips or advise would be a giant help.Thanks

Franco · #2 09-12-2005, 09:43 PM

Hey phester, Blue did buy mine, ck my posts plus i have more I can email you in it would help

phester · #3 09-12-2005, 11:47 PM

Franco, I did look at some pictures in some old posts. There is a pic. that shows the "main" support on yours is fastened directly behind where the windshield tapers down to the gunnell or [gunwhale]?...anyway,your supports are all facing aft, which leads me little direction because I've seen them angling toward the stern and the bow. Mine is now pointing toward the bow, I dont think spinning it around is going to help much.I think I need to set the whole thing up higher on the gunnell,meantime anything that you think might help, feel free to email...address is in my profile.Thank you Mr. Norton Franco!

phester · #4 09-13-2005, 12:03 AM

P.S. Bluerunner,if you get a chance, can you tell me if Francos enclosure dropped right on ,or what modifications,if any, did you have to do? Thanks

Franco · #5 09-13-2005, 12:12 AM

Hey phester, ck your mail!!!!
My mount is on the angled part of the gunnell a few inches down from the end of the side glass - I'll measure it if you if you like.

phester · #6 09-13-2005, 12:49 AM

no need to measure Franco,I saw a good pic of where your mount is and I'm guessing thats about where mine has to go[approx]. Right now the enclosure is on,whether I need to spin it so my supports face the stern is yet to be determined,the whole thing is sorta "squatted" ,wrinkled, if you will, because I need to go higher on the mount. I still will of course need to address the snaps along the gunnell [in the fiberglass] I did check my email...nothing...I'm a little sloppy on gettin around on computers maybe I erased something by mistake.Be that as it may,I am typing a little faster since I became a member of this forum,this reply in under 10 mins.

Blue_Runner · #7 09-13-2005, 12:16 PM

Phes, I was worried about the fit when I bought Franco's top. His boat being an '83 and at the time I only had my '72 (with intentions of repowering).

When I got the top, after about 5 hours of unwrapping the packaging that Captain Norton rigorously bound the top in for the trip from FL to NC (just kiddin Franco :P) I was able to see where the part that slides had been tightened down on Franco's boat. So, I went ahead and tightened those down where they had been, knowing that I might have to adjust.

The next thing was, my boat already had bimini mounts - two on each side for a top I had been using. I thought for sure I'd have to move them but guess what - the location was perfect! The one trouble I had with the '72 (mind you I only "tried it on" meaning I never used it with the top) was the fact that somewhere along the lines, Wellcraft decided to make that windshield a couple inches wider. So basically, I had a little wrap around on each side, but it adjusted out ok. I was going to have to add new snaps to some of the windows to make it fit.

Well, in the meantime, a '94 V21 fell into my lap (literally). So, I got the boat home and a day or two later I tried it on. It too already had bimini connection points - 2 per side. Unbelievably, I didn't have to move them either! Technically, I kinda need to move the ones in the back up towards the bow about a foot or more cause the rear straps extend on the outside of the top, unlike Franco's setup where they were on the inside. Being on the outside causes the straps to interfere with access to the mid-ship rod holders. Something I need to address before striper season for sure. Can't be reachin around a strap to pull the rod out of the holder with ol big boy on the other end! Thats a good way to lose a rod! >:(

Anyhow, here is a pic. You can see my rear straps are on the outside of the enclosure. Its better that way for support when you only have the top without the side curtains IMO, so what I might do instead of moving them up is just add 2 more. I hate to do that though.

Sounds like you are on the right track. I don't think I'd pay anyone to do it if I were you, unless you have to of course. On the other hand, you don't want to ruin your new top either!

Captain Norton (Franco) was cool enought to take many close up pics of the top and mounting points for me and put them on a CD. Phes, PM me your address and I'll mail you the CD. I don't need it any more.

Oh yeah, almost forgot - I had to deal with the curved side windows on the V21. To make that work, I added new snaps to the side windows which was fairly easy. Bought the snap thingy at Bass Pro Shop for less than $20 best I can remember.

Good luck bud. I think you got a good deal in that top. Question - were you able to get those creases out of the windows?

reelapeelin · #8 09-13-2005, 04:09 PM

Hey BR...think about this idea...drop the straps all together and put rigid supports inside the top....alum. tubing and some end attachments and you're off to da races!...leave the strap-eyes where they are and use 'em for out-rigger snubbers when you get 'em soon...DANG, it's fun spendin' OTHER people's money!!!... ;D...

Blue_Runner · #9 09-13-2005, 04:23 PM

RAP - I know that would be a whole lot sturdier. I might end up doing that. However, when I'm using only the top without the curtains, it sure is easy to take down with just the straps. Plus, on High Rock Lake there are 2 low lying bridges that cause me to take it down just to cruise under, so I'm leaning towards stickin with the straps.

Another negative (in my mind) about the rigid supports is adjustment. The straps allow me to asjust out the "sag", where with rigid supports I don't know how I'd be able to do that.

I do get some wobble with just the top up, but when the curtains are on she's pretty tight. The curtains provide stability for the whole top. Course I havn't had her out in 30 knot winds either!

reelapeelin · #10 09-13-2005, 06:10 PM

And here's hopin' you never have 'er out in 30 kt winds...ESPECIALLY with ME around...like the upcoming NSFT tourney... ;D...

Phester, I'm thinkin' you could attach all 4 corners, whether straps, legs or just snap the top down...then lift the top frame from where it now attaches to the slider, until all is TIGHT...wherever the end piece is w/all sides, front and back tight, THATS where you put your new mounts...once you got it up and tight, rock it forward and back before marking the new mounting location to get it "fine-tuned"...you gonna need some help w/this... ;) :D...good luck either way...