Old top for new pontoon?

[catfishhoward]

I just bought a 1" aluminium square tube top, it's 7.5' x 10' and is just the top aluminium tubes. I plan on having it 6' tall supported with 1" square tubing but I will have 4 supports on each side and I plan on drilling galvanised steel roof panels on top which will keep it light weight around 35lbs (light weight is important to me since I have a minivan). I plan on using u-bolts for the bottom support so I should be good and solid at the bottom but I'm having trouble figuring out how to support the existing top to the new 1" tubing, I would like to use brackets if possible, I would think drilling a hole and using a bolt might weaken the 1" tube. I plan on driving the pontoon occasional on the highway so I'm concerned it might fly off, I plan on using additional straps when I'm on the highway.

Along one side of the pontoon the new 1" tubes will have to be under the old tube of the top and on the other side the pontoon the new 1" tubes will come up next to the old tube (side by side). I found some brackets pics on-line but I would like them in aluminium if possible but I'll take steel if anyone know who sells them.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Canvas would be lighter. Do not forget the wind load, especially when towing. I would recommend a collapsible bimini myself in a towed pontoon

 

[catfishhoward]

No Title

I really want a hard top so I can have an enclosure like the picture attached, that way I can have it stored with a cover and use it for camping on the lake also. I mostly will have a 5 mile trip to the launch on side roads and when I do use it on the highway I would throw straps over the top and attach them to the trailer so I pretty sure it will be okay. Just can't find the correct way to attach the top.