Catalina 36 Hard Top With Davits

[mike37909]

here is a drawing of the hard top I am having made. Anodized big (up to 2.375 OD) aluminum pipe and fiberglass top. Will be covered with solar and maybe some solar over the davits. You could walk on it if you needed to.

Let me know what you think. I will put up pics when I get it. Way cheaper and stronger than using 1" stainless tubing and a bunch of stainless fittings.

[ontherocks83]

Looks great can't wait to see the pics after install!!

[mike37909]

Here is the top with davits. A reinforcement is added to the davit. Let me know what you think.
I don't recall seeing a hard top with davits built like this. Since solar is cheap now why put it over a canvas top because you can't fold it up then. Also the strength and simplicity of the davit mount is an advantage in my opinion, no need to mount to rail or transom.

[ontherocks83]

That looks really nice! I like how its all incorporated into one.

[klmmicro]

Looking great! Love the integrated davits and the hard top. Makes mounting solar look simple enough. Good job. Cannot wait to see it installed!

[daletournier]

Looks great. Thinking of something similar for my boat with out the davits. Do you know approx what it weighs?

Cheers Dale.

[jcknox]

Here's the one that was on my boat when I bought it. It's strong enough to hang from...I've done it! I plan to mount solar panels and support davits from it.

[brazenarticle]

When the canvas was shot on my Catalina 28 I replaced it with sheet PVC - a product called Komocel. The stainless bimini and dodger frame were in great shape so I used Harken SS straps and a bit of reinforcing.
Going on 3 years now without any problems. This year I added a second solar panel. This isn't anything to hang davits from but it has worked out better than canvas.,

[mike37909]

Originally Posted by daletournier

Looks great. Thinking of something similar for my boat with out the davits. Do you know approx what it weighs?

Cheers Dale.

very light I am guessing 100 to 125 lbs maybe less You can lift one side with one arm really easy

[mike37909]

Put it on boat. I am very pleased with it.

[klmmicro]

Oh man! That is sweet! How hard was it to access the nuts on the rear stanchions were they go through the rail? Assuming you used the existing holes of course...

[mike37909]

Originally Posted by klmmicro

Oh man! That is sweet! How hard was it to access the nuts on the rear stanchions were they go through the rail? Assuming you used the existing holes of course...

The only mounts are the 4 legs. The forward are accessed through the small oval storage spots in the cockpit. The aft are accessed by raising the rear lazarette. So not too bad.