techmitch
Well-Known Member
- May 1, 2008
- 8,438
- Boat Info
- 1999 270 DA
- Engines
- Twin 4.3s W/Alpa I Gen II's
Looks like some very nice work.Here are some examples of the construction details that I would never think to do, and I don't think I could fabricate myself, and that certainly increase the cost to construct:
They constructed strips that thread through the channels on the radar arch, that the main bimini and the bimini over the helm zip into. If you take the entire canvas up and down (which we do regularly) it makes it much easier to thread those into the channels on the arch, and then zip the large pieces to the threaded piece. If you've ever taken the main top off, you know what a pain it can be to thread it back in that channel while managing the large piece of canvas. It also means you can take the pieces down with just a zip, and you don't have to remove the piece in the channel, and if you need to get to the gear on the radar arch, no need to remove the top - just unzip to open.
View attachment 72028
View attachment 72028
The main rear window has a large screen zippered in for airflow. I know many fabricators will do this.View attachment 72029
One of the problems we had with our previous canvas was that the "smiley" windows would all leak, even though they were only a couple years old. Our fabricator designed the Strataglass to overlap the outside of the zipper, so the zipper itself isn't directly exposed to rain. It's hard to see from the pictures, but the Strataglass on the outside of the winder is wider than the opening all around, and just overlaps with the outside glass. If forms a flap that keeps water away from the zipper.
View attachment 72030
All of the zippers are covered by canvas, with a velcro closure, so that canvas overlaps canvas and is closed, and the zipper sits underneath without being exposed to rain.
View attachment 72031
They put in a rubber gasket sewn into the canvas that runs the length of the windshield that seals the canvas to the windshield, so if you are running in rain or waves or wind it won't splash up under the canvas. It also serves to help keep bugs out.View attachment 72032of