Trophy 1802WA hardtop

[headsup]

Ive been kicking around the idea of fabricating a hardtop for my 1802WA Trophy. not just a top but sides as well and with a drop curtain. Has anyone seen a
hard-topped 1802WA trophy at all? it has a canvas enclosure right now, i just want to make it a little more weatherproof. thinking of using aluminum as i work in a FAB shop and its easy to work with. Oh and should I add to the existing windshield or replace it entirely?

 

[daveydoodle]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

I see you have no replies, I just have a few thoughts. Not familiar with that model of Trophy but I would guess if you have access to a fab shop I would certainly go for it. I would want it to be functional but also look good on the boat. I worked in Detroit area a long time and spent alot of time on the Det. river and lake Erie & cannot forget the visions of truck caps or toppers mounted on boats along with many attempts to fashion a top out of wood or whatever was laying around, I miss being very amused by these sights. Just do it right as like I said I would if I had the knowledge & capability of doing it.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

welcome to iboats..

this should help http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,386,00.html

 

[junkman306]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

welcome to iboats..

this should help http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,386,00.html

Thats a pretty impressive write up and a job well done!!!!!!!!

 

[zopperman]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

Thats a pretty impressive write up and a job well done!!!!!!!!

Wish I could say it was mine. Mark42 did an awesome job.

 

[headsup]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

so hered some photos. i made a mockup cab out of cardboard and taped it on to see what it looks like. you think it will work? im planning on building it out of aluminum.

this is the trophy 1802wa with the canvas top up

boat with top off

hardtop mockup made out of cardboard

cardboard mockup on boat

think this will work if made out of aluminum? sorry bout the bad pics. plan on using temperd glass and having the whole thing powder-coated white.
It was suprisingly roomy inside, the canvas top mad you feel crowded and event thought i had no windows cut out, it wasnt bad inside!

 

[headsup]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

nice top! yeah i kinda want to do something like this, minus the egress windows. trying not to add more complexity in an already complex build.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

Now just glass that witha few layers of 1708 bi ax and some poly and you're good to go. Oh and windows too!

 

[Brenn]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

That should be a pretty fun project.Hey if you want help I live mins from everett and wouldnt mind making the trip over to you.

 

[daveydoodle]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

Nice cuddy. My first thought is a little too high for me but overall lines flow good.

 

[headsup]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

i thought it would be a little high as well, but its 5'8" high on the sides and 6'2" in the center. I thought that would accommodate most fisherman. its the same hight as the canvas top, just a little wider towards the top as the canvas bowed inward, whereas the hard top goes almost straight up. plus I've always thought the way the canvas top attached to the original windshield looked dumb and seemed a little "afterthought-ish".

 

[daveydoodle]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

Just my preference on height, seen some from factory & theyre too high for me too. I am 6-2 but would duck a little for a better look, bet heh if your finished product is as nice as the mock up it will look pro. Nice that you did that.

 

[daveydoodle]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

Had another thought --Your windows and placement will change the height appearance ,the soft top pics. & height dont stick out as much. Meyby shop for windows with dimensions and cut those in to mock up for true appearance.

 

[headsup]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

i have the widows marked in the cardboard. its looking like its gonna be custom cut glass too, all would be trapazoidal. i could just cut out the windows in the cardboard. its rigid enough to stay up on its own. and another thought. the cost of aluminum vs fiberglass is not looking good. so i think i may persue this one in fiberglass in sort of the same fashion the other guy with the bayliner did. minus the flip up windows. you think it will look taller or shorter with mock up windows?

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

What if you followed the line of the existing windsheild? Or closer to that, just looks too straight up on the front.
My thought on that is you may be able to re-use the side windows as well.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

You'd rather make it out of alum. than glass it??!

 

[headsup]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

seriously considered it yes. im a sheet metal worker and have all the tools and equipment to bend and weld aluminum and make misc brackets. aluminum sheeting is/was easy to come by but seems to not be able to get the right kind for some time. plus my glass skills arent the best. im now looking at fiberglass as the primary structural material. it should also help save weight, but will be much more time consuming..... now that i think of it, its not really pressing to get it done right away anyway.

 

[antoni]

Re: Trophy 1802WA hardtop

Nice mock-up. I am working on a very similar project on my 1997 Aqusport 225.(still figuring out the angles and such) The boat alreaddy has a hard top and I will be making the surrounding enclousure with windows purchased from Wayn Industries. I was planning on using 3/8" King Starboard as my building material and finished product with no fiberglass or coating to be done. Have you considered using this product instead of fiberglass? Do you think it is a good idea?