building a hardtop dodjer replacement

[captjohn360]

I want to build a hardtop for my catamaran to replace my bimini it has to be lightweight and strong. anny suggestions welcome. ie materials,methods.

[exposure]

The top on my cat is cored fiberglass and is strong enough to walk on. It could be solid glass if you made it thick (heavy) or didn't need to walk on it. I have always thought aluminum would be a great way to go if there were no compound curves and you didn't need to walk on it.

[captjohn360]

hey exposure, I would like to see some pics if possable JT

[exposure]

The sides and rear are canvas and there is a stainless post at each rear corner from the top to the cockpit coaming. They are hidden behind the canvas in these photos.

Woody

[Mercator]

Hi,

I am in the process of going through the same thing myself.

I have opted to use an acrylic screen (Alexon). It is 6mm and flexible to the extent that I can put a slight curve on it.

The acrylic (similar to perspex) is virtually unbreakable and has been used for security screens and in prisons, and doesn't scratch or wear like normal perspex. I wouldn't feel comfortable using glass.

I am using a relative light weight stainless steel frame - opting for this rather than aluminium, although more expensive.

The windscreen will be permanent and then I will have studs on the frame to clip a removable folding canopy/binimi. This way I have the best of both worlds - a permanent hard dodger and the canopy that can be removed and stowed in fine weather.

This is all to replace an old fixed canvas and perspex dodger, which was a blessing in bad weather but a curse when salt spray got on the perspex and I couldn't see forward, and was not easily removed for fair weather sailing.

[captjohn360]

hey guies. thanks for the pics woody they give me some great ideas. did you build a mold or cold mold? i want side curtans and mosquito netting also. please keep the ideas comeing JT

[exposure]

It's a factory unit put on when it was built.

[captjohn360]

heyy mercator, I cant find alexon on the web anny links would be appriceated. JT

[CSY Man]

Catamarans, catamarans...Real sailors do mono-hulls...

[captjohn360]

cacamarans do mono-hulls

[delmarrey]

[irwinsailor]

I have never sail a multi. I would think I would like it. But there is something to CSY's "real sailors do mono hulls" !

[exposure]

Real sailors do mono-hulls

Tell that to all of the polynesians that have sailed the pacific in mutlihulls of various forms!

Polynesian Voyaging Society

They were making ocean passages while Europeans were saying the world was flat!

[capn_nik]

although I haven't tried it the multi in WATERWORLD with kevin costner looked pretty fun. but what do I know ...I'm a powerboater (monohull)