inclosed flybridge?

[RICKEY]

Can anyone tell me were I might find a fiberglass overhead (ceiling deck) for my 53 motor yacht. I do have a back slanted radar arch app size would be somewere 9ft by 10ft I plan to have side curtins with Isoglass foward, aft, port and starb. Any info would help.

 

[SeaEric]

It has been my observation that the 53 is a bit small to visually handle much of a hard top. Some of the executed versions I have seen are just terrible looking. Nothing ruins the look of a classic motor yacht any worse than an aftermarket abomination. That said, I think if done carefully it can look good.

The very best after market Hatteras hard top I have ever seen is aboard a 1987 Hatteras 63 Motoryacht called "Gran Slan" that is currently for sale on YachtWorld. There are some very good photos of that top in the specs where you can see how it integrates with the arch, etc. It is beautiful in person and does not interfere with the lines of the boat at all. Now, it is also NOT enclosed, which makes a difference. This is also a 63' not a 53' boat.

What you wish to do can be accomplished nicely. My suggestion would be to plan carefully and proceed slowly.

 

[Paul45c]

Slane Marine makes just about anything for these boats -- I'd start there if you're committed to a hard top.

 

[REBrueckner]

I made my own F/B hardtop from laminated marine plywood epoxied together and exterior fiberglassed. About 10 x 10 as I rec all. See the first photo at http://groups.msn.com/TrawlerMV/lazydays.msnw.

The whole trick to getting a nice look is to CURVE the top and round the edges for a softer profile. I raised mine about 2" above the softop for better headroom inside. .
A BIG trick:REUSE the existing soft cover stainlees frame: Curve the new hard top to the softcover frame shape; I used stainless pipe clamps to fasten the hardtop to the existing frame....more than strong enough to hold me on top during installation...Then I braced the front of old frame awthtships with a pair of new frame pieces and bolted the aft end to my radar arch: it's not going anwhere.

I included a pair of 24" square opening hatches...would not do it again as sunluight still hampers instrument readings. But they look nice. I made them out of acrylic as aluminum frame hatches (like BOMAR) were about $250 each.

 

[Capt K]

I have a 1965 50' motoryacht and Slane built/installed a hardtop on the bridge about 14 years ago for the po just before I purchaced her.

If memory serves me, it was a new Hatteras hardtop for a 48' sportfish that he lengthened to the proper dimensions and installed. It is enclosed in isenglass and I really love the feel of it up there! Slane can come up with a lot of ideas for you and, depending upon what he has on hand, it's sometimes more reasonable than you would think.

Good luck!

K

 

[Brian Degulis]

I built an all aluminum hard top for our 61 MY. If you want some pics PM with your email address they are to big to post here

Brian