anyone ever do this on chieftain 18?

[1975oday22]

I want to add to the cabin, bring the cabin back a few feet , and from the top window build a hard top. from there just ad canvas sides with windows. can this be done?

 

[Watermann]

Anything is possible depending on money and skill level.

My only issue is an 18' Chief doesn't have a whole lot of deck space to begin with and most the weight is towards the stern so losing space and adding weight to the stern.

 

[1975oday22]

Anything is possible depending on money and skill level.

My only issue is an 18' Chief doesn't have a whole lot of deck space to begin with and most the weight is towards the stern so losing space and adding weight to the stern.

i was thinking of adding to the cabin for a head and a small counter with a small table.....

 

[Watermann]

i was thinking of adding to the cabin for a head and a small counter with a small table.....

We use the top of the cabin for our lunch counter and I put a porta potty in as well. The easy way for me was to install a bimini top for shade.

 

[1975oday22]

maybe the best solution for me as well. just gotta find a full enclosure top now. hopefully lol....

 

[Watermann]

maybe the best solution for me as well. just gotta find a full enclosure top now. hopefully lol....

Custom made is about the only way to get what you need.

 

[IslandExplorer]

I'm with Waterman on that one, I used the cabin top area as a lunch serving counter and also as a kitchen with my rusty but trusty old coleman stove. Works great and keeps cabin space open! That dash area is pretty big on the 18.

 

[garbageguy]

Yes, almost anything is possible

when a significant weight re-distribution mod is considered by an overturning analysis, don't forget windage

 

[1975oday22]

picked me up a tonneau cover tonight. hopeing that i can work with this to make a top to go over the top windshield, and find some poles to hold it in place on the sides of the boat, then make side skirts with windows to snap on . any ideas? or is this doable? going to be used on 1974 chieftain 18.

 

[IslandExplorer]

picked me up a tonneau cover tonight. hopeing that i can work with this to make a top to go over the top windshield, and find some poles to hold it in place on the sides of the boat, then make side skirts with windows to snap on . any ideas? or is this doable? going to be used on 1974 chieftain 18.

Those covers seem to be the same stuff a lot of the older bimini tops are made of. If you found a set of the aluminum bimini top hoops that hold them up typically you'd just have to attach it to it. They sell the snaps as a kit that you can crimp on to things and the buttons can be screwed in with a stainless machine screw or something to the aluminum on the boat. I'd think that would work for ya. If you're going REAL cheap and to just get something up there super quick before you get something better you could even use pvc pipe temporarily. I use the stuff to make tarp shelters to keep snow off the boat and it works quite well. Usually big arched pieces but can make all kinds of shapes with a few angled elbows and a little PVC cement.

 

[1975oday22]

this is an interesting idea. wonder if my tonneau cover will be able to be used.... i could leave it on year round , mind you i would still be tarping it....

 

[IslandExplorer]

Looks like it rolls up to store instead of folding it up or unsnapping? That looks like a sweet setup! The tonneau would probably work great for that.