Custom Tender- Opinions and Help

Good looking boat. It looks like you could get away with the aft section of that top, but the front is pretty bad (especially those cross members). I think I'd start about 1/3 of the way back and give it a gentle arc as it goes forward so the front is more rounded. Again, I'd lose those cross-members forward of the helm, and move the forward/side supports back to where they'd be a hand-hold for someone standing beside the helm. Although it's hard to get perspective in the picture I think it would also look better if it had maybe a 2" brow all around which could also help conceal an isinglass enclosure for the northern weather.
One other point, and again it's hard to get perspective, but does that forward boarding handrail go far enough forward to get a handhold when stepping from the dock?

Perhaps I'm missing the issue.
What's the problem with top that is currently on it.
Looks relatively simple, clean, and secure, and provides a little bit of protection for those in the forward seating.

You don't like it? or it's not right / safe / etc.?

Hi,

I assume that the pre construction design was signed and accepted or referred to as part of the construction contract?

When did the architect decide what he had sold you and the client wasn't going to work?

Did he give you any notice or option as to what you were going to end up with?

To make it look right, I would get rid of the front uprights on the top and have them come up at a 45ish degree angle towards the rear to follow the line of the windshield, this should balance out the rear foward facing supports and balance it out. The two cross bars on each foward upright look to be a bit much. But then you are going to get into some gelcoat work to fill all of the holes but this shouldn't be a big deal

My concern was that they didn't carry forward enough for that purpose, but that's not what you asked about and could be easily corrected.
Given the new shots I'd even be concerned with stability with a strong wind off either side of the bow. IMHO, I'd remove the all of the forward supports, replace the support on either side of the helm with ones pushed further back. If you do need forward support I'd go with a single pole in line with the center windscreen break/support. For a little more stability the supports could be "Y"'d at the top. I'd cut about 3'-4' out of each forward corner of the roof support and weld in that section bringing them in on the arc I mentioned earlier, sawzall the top to match that line, re-glass the edge of the top and any holes left over . BTW, it looks like the fabricator followed the line of the cabin rather than the windscreen.

First off thats not a bad looking rib, has that sense of form and function getting along. I think NYCAP is right, that hardtop extends forward too much in the corners. The supports in the front are blocking the view of the windshield which has really nice lines and should be shown off. I dont think the center of the top extends too far forward but when the boat is viewed from an angle (like the first pic in post #1 and #6) it is way too far forward.

I know that the supports are more of a concern to you than the hardtop so maybe if the supports were moved inside of the windshield and swept back it would look better. That way the windshield could hide most of the supports. That along with smaller cross members (1 foot or less) should fix the aftermarket top look.

Hopefully you can find a quick and cheap solution for your new tender!

Dan

Ken, what about changing the windscreen out to a better match your forward support structure lines? Look at Jupiter's hard top and windscreen configuration. The hard top to me seems as if you stretched it aft to provide the guest seating area with a bit of protection. How much protection does this really give them? If you have inclimate weather, guests will more than likely be in the console cabin anyhow. So, really, you are looking to protect the crew and a guest or two that would like to stand up. You may want to consider moving the aft structure/support tubing forward and making the hard top shorter by taking away a foot or two from the back. Sacrificing guest shelter for aesthetics. Take a look at what protector does for their hard tops as they are functional and good looking. The laminate looks thin as well. Does it rattle and/or vibrate? Where's the radar?

Have a look at the Intrepid 370 Center Console.

Especially pictures 1, 2, and 4 in the gallery for that model.

The forward supports for your hardtop would have looked much better done in this manner.

I think the rear supports look fine.

http://www.intrepidboats.com/models/370-cc/gallery.php

Ken,
Saw an interesting and different top on this site:

http://www.boattowers.com/PhotosHardTops.htm

It was on a 2001 39' Silverton. Might give you some ideas.