Hard Top Plans

[ChampionShip]

I think i'm going to put a metal plate around the area where a radar should be mountetd maybe? 1/4" aluminum? On hand we have 1808, 2415 and 3 oz mat. Can probably arrange others if need be though.

[pelican]

[QUOTE=ChampionShip;199274]I think i'm going to put a metal plate around the area where a radar should be mountetd maybe? 1/4" aluminum? On hand we have 1808, 2415 and 3 oz mat. Can probably arrange others if need be though.[/QUO


the "hoop" for the top's gonna be framed - in the center,you can weld a plate,and in the areas where you want to mount antennas,you can weld plates there as well...

fastest,easiest way is to make the top from a skin - no need for coring - the antenna plates are taking the stress of the load from the antennas,not the skin...

[strick]

Originally Posted by ChampionShip

What kind of glass did you use and how was the compressive strength of the coracell? It's gotta hold antenna masts and a radar eventually

You need to go and check out the various foam core's and see for your self. I see no need to mount metal backing plates where the Radar and antenna's will mount. Now if you were putting a crows nest in then that would be different......To be honest I don't really remember what kind of fiberglass I used that was so long ago.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/1975%2023cc%20sale/

strick

[ChampionShip]

It's for a semester final, has to be cored, and it's just the top- not the frame work, has to be 8 plies.

[strick]

Using polyester or epoxy? Use polyester start with heavy matt and then consecutive layers of 1708. You can make a skin for the unfinished area and reduce a lot of your fairing time. No need for metal backing plates inside the part.

strick

[ChampionShip]

I am leaning towards foam for reasons everyone stated, wasn't sure about having to mount plates in it- glad it's not really important. Will there be backing plates necessary for antenna masts and radar? Will be using vinylester resin with mekp. Teacher is an engineer for a local yacht builder- could make it out of aramid or carbon fiber if I chose to...........that'd be awesome.

[saugeye]

Hey Champ. If you end up having to buy anything, the school doesnt supply, let me know and I will pay for it.

[strick]

Originally Posted by ChampionShip

Will there be backing plates necessary for antenna masts and radar?

On mine I just used round ss washers. The radar was not really that heavy to require backing plates. Same for the antenna. If you build your part right the glass thickness combined with the core compressive strength is strong enough that it will not crack or break. You will be surprised how strong your part is.

We make engine brackets out of fiberglass and bolt them to the boat using big 2" x 1/4" thick SQUARE washers. This holds a 400# plus motor on a boat and is able to withstand all loads placed on it! Remember that square washers are much stronger then round washers....in fact California building codes require square washers on all mud sil plating. I have a welder usually make my square washers. Regular round ss washers will be fine for holding an antenna and radar on a hard top.......just saying

strick

[ChampionShip]

Any idea what kind of pitch I want on this for drainage? Maybe have it hang past the windshield frame 2-3" per side?

[saugeye]

Bump