Enclosed Bridge conversion on a 40'?

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Billylll

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I have spent some serious time and money upgrading my 1993 Mainship 40 Sedan Bridge. It currently has a new custom made arch, a complete rewire, a pair of new 8.1L HOs, transmissions, heavier duty V drives, electronic shift and throttles and extensive new electronics. I am looking for a designer/ engineer who could see if I can replace my new completly enclosed Eisenglass/ canvas top with a fiberglass enclosure using plexiglass or similar windows. I would need to use the lightest materials to keep the boat from being top heavy and unstable. Am I dreaming or is this remotely possible? For starters I know I would need AC/heat and defrost along with wipers. I have a large enough generator (new) to run the AC unit and plenty of headroom in my house bank to handle the wipers and defrost blowers. I would like to keep the new arch and use the top's roof space for my 3 1800 watt solar panel system. Would this be possible using $50k for the enclosure and windows with the exterior finished as the budgetary assuming the engineering could be worked out?
Please advise. Bill
 
it is usually done by welding a frame and attaching a hard top made of thin or honeycomb panel. Adding the semi rigid lexan type windows is done by a canvas shop. Figure about $150 pre squeare foot of top area.
Atlantic towers is in your area but their designs may not be as nice as a custom job.
 
I have looked at Atlantic Towers and I am looking for something nicer and more stylish.
 
Check the www for custom shops around Oregon Inlet, Hatteras, Wilmington, etc. A lot of those jobs are custom. A friend has a 37' Mainship and his came with a hardtop. It looks like it came from the manufacturer that way. Maybe Mainship would have the info in their files.
 
I agree, look for a tower welder in your area. they service big dealers and any local boat maker.
 
Billy

When you find something please share it, I have toyed with the same idea for my Silverton.

walter
 
Keep in mind I am looking for more than just a hardtop. I have talked to my guy who built the radar arch he can do the hardtop and pipe work. I also wanted fitted windows and some fiberglass work as well. I may go to the old Cavalier Boat factory, a friend of mine is best friend's with one of the owner's and see if they can custom make what I am looking for. I am looking for the "Maritimo" enclosed bridge look. Viking and Hatt make similar enclosed bridges but they are on 50' plus boats. Regards Bill
 
Bruce that is not exactly what I am looking for. That top is only about 40% of what I want. I want an integrated windshield, side windows and rear door. I guess one might call it a sky bridge?
 
I would be hesitant to add that much weight up top on a 40' boat, especially a gas boat that doesn't have a lot of weight down below to balance it. The Hatteras and Viking models you see with the enclosed bridges don't start until you get around 60' as far as I know. Actually I just checked and the smallest Viking enclosed bridge is 56'. I was fishing offshore next to a 65' Viking Enclosed bridge and even that looked like it was rolling around as if it was top heavy.
 
John, that is one of my concerns. That is why I want to seek out an engineer to provide data on the construction material needed and it would weigh or to tell me it can't be done. Maritimo an Australian builder has a 48' enclosed bridge model. My boat weighs 28,000lbs loaded at 40.9" LOA. I have wondered if it's more a matter of cost than LOA that is possibly marketing driven?
 
I would definitely get a naval architect involved if you're really interested, you don't want a fabricator guessing that it's okay and really throwing off the balance of the boat. Cost could definitely be a factor in keeping it to the larger models, but I think the weight is an issue also.

John
 
I agree John that is what I am looking for. There are 3 major manufactures in my area. I am going to approach them through some friends.
 
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