Custom Folding T-TOP project Zodiac SRA-750

clloyd · 04 November 2016, 18:27

Custom Samson T-Top almost ready for powdercoat.

It has a fairly unique fold flat design, based on a ttop from Milpro but with faster breakdown times.

clloyd · 04 November 2016, 18:31

Can you figure out how that works?

SIBRider · 04 November 2016, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by clloyd

Can you figure out how that works?

Pretty obvious how it works. Seems a bit dangerous. How much does it weight? No gas assist? Nice tubework

clloyd · 04 November 2016, 19:19

Definitely a 2 person job. Mainly because it is awkward.

I wouldn't fold for a short trip to the ramp, but I want it to fold for the 10-20 hr road trips to BC or So Cal.

Not sure on weight. Two of us could manhandle the entire thing into the boat.

clloyd · 04 November 2016, 23:47

I'm planning on making the top in hypalon with grommets and laced to the top.

Black matte powdercoat and black hypalon, glued and shaped. Will first do it in pattern mylar.

What do you think?

jyasaki · 05 November 2016, 21:17

Hypalon? Why not Sunbrella or similar? Looking for rain protection?

clloyd · 05 November 2016, 22:39

Last top was Top Gun which is waterproof. It's a good option. Yeah we need water protection here big time.

I think the hypalon could be really cool. I would shape it/glue it myself and punch in the grommets. Would have to find the right weight. Also radar will bolt through the material into an H-plate at top of t. Hypalon would create waterproof seal.

Maybe someone knows why this is a very bad idea. Only thing I can think of is that to stretch it properly, it might need a bit too much tension for what the frame can accommodate.

Bigtalljv · 05 November 2016, 23:43

My local canvas shop set me up with an "architectural fabric" which he said will last forever. Waterproof and sun proof significantly more than sunbrella. Unfortunately I think it only comes in white.

atypicalguy · 12 November 2016, 22:02

Hypalon sounds good, but it is hard to beat top gun in my experience with small boat covers.

I think you will find that it will flap no matter how tightly you lace it, unless it is angled a bit to the wind. Tough to know until you have it on the boat.

I think some sort of foam structural panel with metal facing on top would be great, and just bolt it on. Bare metal would get too hot to stand beneath on a sunny day.

clloyd · 21 November 2016, 21:13

All painted and ready to pick up.

Folding takes two people but is actually very quick to accomplish and the top is extremely secure when on the road.

Towed her home on the highway for 1 hr and it felt great. Nice compact road package.

ncp · 22 November 2016, 02:10

I need a slow motion YouTube...I still can't see it!

tworotorturbo · 22 November 2016, 18:11

That came out really nice! Yeah can we get a video or a GIF if it being collapsed

clloyd · 22 November 2016, 18:11

Look in the unpainted photos for the joints an disconnects.

There are 2 sets of disconnects. 1 on fore/aft cross beam up high. 1 at bottom of rear verticals.

There are 2 sets of hinges, both on forward uprights.

clloyd · 22 November 2016, 18:12

As far as vid or photos in process of collapsing. Might take a bit as boat is already in storage.

atypicalguy · 24 November 2016, 10:03

Was a drop top necessary for your intended storage location, or did you do it to save fuel on the road?

Big Mike · 08 July 2017, 14:29

Hi Big Mike here, love your boat! I have come very close to buying one. How do you like it? Did you buy it in Portland?

ncp · 09 July 2017, 03:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Mike

Hi Big Mike here, love your boat! I have come very close to buying one. How do you like it? Did you buy it in Portland?

Shipped in from the east coast

clloyd · 11 July 2017, 03:11

@Big Mike
Yes, this boat came out of Annapolis but I know that there is a PDX auth dealer. I responded to your PM as well.

Big Mike · 11 July 2017, 03:39

Hi, sorry I am new here and not familiar with this format. I was just talking with Charles Herbert (Northeast rep for Mil Pro). He mentioned that you were really enjoying your SRA. I presently have a Pursuit C260 with twin 150's. I love my boat but also enjoy RHIB's. I have a lot of experience with Zodiac Hurricane 733 and the newer 753. I'd like to chat with you about your boat. I see that you have also been up our way in B.C. . I can call long distance for next to nothing if you are ok with me having your number. Whatever works, it would be great to talk boats. Thanks.....Mike

clloyd · 01 September 2017, 22:31

I never posted the final result. So here it is. I did decide to build the cover out of hypalon and that was challenging but rewarding. I was going to going with a lighter weight hypalon than my tubes but alas black was only available in the 1670 weight.

So 1670 it is and challenging to get the shape perfect. I took it slow but this cover probably took me 40 hrs in small increments.

The benefit of the hypalon is no stitches, all glues and I have glued d-ring patches all over the top for lashing stuff. You can stand on the material as you would the tubes.