1997 400 Sundance Home Made Hardtop

The bridge roof on the 52DB not only has two massive FRP supports but also 2.5 inch dia stainless tubes arranged in a girder for the back of the roof but also large vertical stainless supports in in the front of the roof. I've had the boat in 6 to 8's and the roof moves significantly still..
I only bring this up as it would be bad to see all of that great work end up in some stress cracking issues....
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It looks as if the two black vertical struts were added later in the design to compensate for the loads and stresses that failed the center struts.
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No. They were a part of the original design. Not particularly beautiful, but always a part of the design. The one by the helm is very useful as a handhold when the seas are stacking up. I held onto it all the time when the water was rough. These tops take quite a beating in rough weather and when big people walk around on them doing routine service. And, they are not a cheap option. Tiara charged $20,000 extra for the hardtop in 2004. That was money well spent for customers who spent years in the sun and were looking for relief and interested in avoiding skin cancer.
 
Thought about myself as I have seen this movement when on several Sea Rays as well as other brands. Then I remembered seeing a pic of Dales (Masterfabs) new boat with lateral support for the arch/hard top.
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I would like to see more pictures of this. What year is that boat. I may fab something like that behind the helm seat.
 
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No. They were a part of the original design. Not particularly beautiful, but always a part of the design. The one by the helm is very useful as a handhold when the seas are stacking up. I held onto it all the time when the water was rough. These tops take quite a beating in rough weather and when big people walk around on them doing routine service. And, they are not a cheap option. Tiara charged $20,000 extra for the hardtop in 2004. That was money well spent for customers who spent years in the sun and were looking for relief and interested in avoiding skin cancer.
Come on, man. Call 'em what they are..... Stripper Poles (might have to be moved in a bit)
 
You are my hero. Looks great! Do you find this section coming together in half the time of the front? Practice makes perfect.
 
You are my hero. Looks great! Do you find this section coming together in half the time of the front? Practice makes perfect.
Yes, I learned a lot from the front half. I am eliminating many unnecessary steps. I am using peal ply more often and it is eliminating a huge amount of sanding. Fingers crossed. Thanks for the support. It helps keep me going.
 
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Bottom photo. Topside with rolled on base coat of bright white gel coat. I use this as a primer to look and repair imperfections (the bumps are where there were pin holes. I use gel coat to fill them in).

Top photo is the bottom side ready for a base layer of bright white.
 

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