Posted by Cindy on December 20, 1999 at 11:04:20:
Hey gang,
We have Hull #3 and that was before the days of the hard top bimini. I have
never sailed with a hard top nor do I know anyone who has... so I am full of
questions. Our tired ol' bimini is asking for some major restitching and
patching if not full replacement -- so the topic came up of splurging for a hard
top
Can you EVER take them down? If so what situations might call for that? Are they
sturdy enough to take the weight of a full grown adult on them (to mess with
boom, sail cover, etc)? Our traveler is in the cockpit along the back... are the
travelers in the newer PDQ's on the hard top? If anyone else has retorfitted a
hard top -- do ya have to move your traveler up too? Where does the main sheet
fall then?
Please share your experiences and thoughts... it seems liek the thing to do, but
it's a heafty investment and we want to find out what's involved
Thanks and Happy Holidays!
Cindy Wallach and Doug Vibbert
s/v Neshamah #3
Annapolis
Follow Ups:
Re: Hard Tops Mark Chamberlain 11:42:51 12/26/99 (0)
Re: Hard Tops Dan Hofmann 03:42:52 12/26/99 (0)
Re: Hard Tops Martin 21:31:31 12/22/99 (0)
Re: Hard Tops Kevin Smith 08:10:03 12/21/99 (1)
Re: Hard Tops David West 18:17:32 1/11/100 (0)
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Re: Hard Tops
Posted by Mark Chamberlain on December 26, 1999 at 11:42:51:
In Reply to: Hard Tops posted by Cindy on December 20, 1999 at 11:04:20:
We've got the 32 with hardtop. Wouldn' have it any other way
Only time we've taken it down was to truck the boat from Whitby to Georgian Bay
Really wasn't a bad job but wouldn't want to do it too often
Have had 4 adults sitting up on the top multiple times. Sometimes with a couple
of kids added in
Not a problem - great place to watch the 4th of July Fireworks off the back of
the boat
I'd strongly recommend the hardtop.
Follow Ups:
Re: Hard Tops
Posted by Dan Hofmann on December 26, 1999 at 03:42:52:
In Reply to: Hard Tops posted by Cindy on December 20, 1999 at 11:04:20:
Did you know that several people have retrofitted there boats with the Hard
tops? I am assuming that hull three is a 36. As far as strength, I have seen 4
people climb up on one in a boat show with no ill effects. We have 320022 and
love the hard top with the enclosure. Same hard top is used on both boats
I believe PDQ does have the correct hardware to retrofit as Someday Soon (Bill &
Carolyn) drove up and picked it up. They love thiers. I don't know if they have
a retrofit kit for the new hard top with the traveler incorporated. That would
be the slick way to go
Good luck with the project
Dan & Sally - Duet
Follow Ups:
Re: Hard Tops
Posted by Martin on December 22, 1999 at 21:31:31:
In Reply to: Hard Tops posted by Cindy on December 20, 1999 at 11:04:20:
I'm not sure if you have a 32 or 36. The only thing I can tell you about the
36's, is that the traveller is now incorporated in the hardtop, which has been
strengthened to take the extra loading
On the 32, which we have, it is certainly strong enough to support the weight of
an adult. It should be easy to install, should last the life of the boat, and
provides a location for solar panels. It shouldn't need taking down for any
reason I can think of, but you will need to remove the front supports if you
want to take the sliding salon hatch off its tracks. Hope this helps
Martin McKim
(new owner of Altair #31)
Follow Ups:
Re: Hard Tops
Posted by Kevin Smith on December 21, 1999 at 08:10:03:
In Reply to: Hard Tops posted by Cindy on December 20, 1999 at 11:04:20:
Taking the hard top down would be a big job, as the supports are screwed into
the glass ... I wouldn't take it down unless absolutely necessary, and I can't
image a reason
PDQ might have the maximum weight figure, but I get up there ALL THE TIME. There
have been two of us up there was well. No problem
My traveler is not on the hardtop. I've never seen one there on a PDQ 32, and
wouldn't think it is possible. The end of the boom is far beyond the end of the
hardtop, so there are no issues with the main sheet
The height of the hardtop would be important, as you need room for boom
clearance. I can measure the height for you on Phenix, if you want. Phenix is
VERY cold now (5 degrees F), so she'd probably appreciate a visit
- Kevin Smith
s/v Phenix, PDQ 32, hull #7, in Chicago
Follow Ups:
Re: Hard Tops David West 18:17:32 1/11/100 (0)
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Re: Hard Tops
Posted by David West on January 11, 19100 at 18:17:32:
In Reply to: Re: Hard Tops posted by Kevin Smith on December 21, 1999 at
08:10:03:
The hard top is one of the best features of the boat. I now would never want a
boat without one. In addition to everything else it is an ideal place to mount a
sizable solar panel. If you get on fitted I would make sure tha the side gutter
reaches its lowest point at the back end.I would also consider designing a
rainwater catching device also pre-drill the front stantion so that a fair sized
electrical wire can be lead down to the cabin if you ever are thinking of
installing a solar panel. This can be retrofitted but it involves some cussing.