Thanks for sharing. I am looking at building a hard top for my Pearson in the future. Did you build the supporting structure yourself? Would love to know more about how that was built. Thanks!
I did build the frame (well, I had a lot of help!) I actually did it twice: the first time I simply modified the flexible/folding frame that originally came with the boat. The 2nd time around I welded a solid stainless frame. Check out Ep. 35 to see more about that. 😉
Nice video, but I have a few questions: 1. So, how is a DR gallon 3/4 of a gallon (3 quarts)? Doesn't the DR use metric measurements? I would think you would get 4 liters to a bottle, or over a US gallon. 2. Isn't this a new frame? Did I miss (or forget about ) the video where you built the new frame and went into the cost for that? If I recall, your old bimini top was attached to a folding frame, and this new one appears to have replaced the pushpit rails as well as the bimini frame. 3. How high is your mizzen boom from the cabin floor? I installed a longer track for the mizzen boom last spring and I am planning to cut down my mizzen sail over the winter. I'm 6 feet tall and want to be able to stand fully under the bimini, so I'm thinking I need the boom to be at least 6' 4" above the cabin sole.
Hey there Jeff… good questions: 1) I probably should’ve been less jokey and more specific here, but basically the amount in each gallon that we purchased differed. I had made marks on my measurement cups for 1 quart (945ish cc) of resin and 13cc of catalyst (that’s just shy of 1.4%). The first 3 pours of every gallon were fine, but the 4th regularly came up a little short… so I’d open another gallon to top it off… but that left the 4th pour off that gallon even shorter… hopefully you get the idea. It just became a running thing for me and Heather caught it on camera. 2) You’re spot on, my friend: Garuda’s prior frame was adapted from a collapsable fabric bimini frame (and it worked but it just wasn’t very stable). The main problem was the old davits - which didn’t work at all. So as long as I was beefing them up, I changed everything. 😝 You can watch the full episode here: ua-cam.com/video/JPlqGOCry3o/v-deo.html 3) My mizzen boom meets the mast at 6’5” (the boom is angled up slightly from the track at the mast so this is it’s lowest point). I’ve been trying to avoid moving the boom up and cutting the sail down as I imagine I’ll replace the sail someday and can make changes then… but that’s another subject (and episode? 😉). The bottom of the new bimini is right at 6’ (I’m a bit shorter than you and you’d do fine standing under my bimini, but you’d have to be mindful of the stainless poles). We might have to have sundowners in your cockpit. 😎 🍺 I hope this helps. Thanks for being such a loyal viewer… and I hope to see you out here again soon!
Oouch please mask up... grinding and sanding glass! keep up the great work. how did you make foam vs plywood availablility? Seems ply might be a bit heavy..?
Such a good question - and what I feel was the biggest decision for the entire project. Foam is available (more expensive than ply here) and would've been lighter but I opted for wood to give myself a 100% screw-downable surface for future attachments. Garuda is a lot like me: a little saggy in the aft with the potential for more energy in the future.
@@sailinggaruda for sure make future-proofing using the ply, are you over-drilling and filling with epoxy or just praying the sealant works around the fasteners? here is too the final bimini version!
I think the answer you’re looking for is roughly US$5000 but it’s broken down a bit differently. A few costs are directly related to my location: A fair amount is added by the boat yard when a vendor comes in, there’s a government tax that’s collected, and there’s an exchange rate at play here (plus some back-and-forth negotiations). None of that was actually itemized but it’s in there and we feel it’s about 30%. Materials were about US$1800 (including material transportation because we didn’t find much locally); so that would leave US$1700 in labor.
Thanks for sharing. I am looking at building a hard top for my Pearson in the future. Did you build the supporting structure yourself? Would love to know more about how that was built. Thanks!
I did build the frame (well, I had a lot of help!) I actually did it twice: the first time I simply modified the flexible/folding frame that originally came with the boat. The 2nd time around I welded a solid stainless frame. Check out Ep. 35 to see more about that. 😉
Nice video, but I have a few questions:
1. So, how is a DR gallon 3/4 of a gallon (3 quarts)? Doesn't the DR use metric measurements? I would think you would get 4 liters to a bottle, or over a US gallon.
2. Isn't this a new frame? Did I miss (or forget about ) the video where you built the new frame and went into the cost for that? If I recall, your old bimini top was attached to a folding frame, and this new one appears to have replaced the pushpit rails as well as the bimini frame.
3. How high is your mizzen boom from the cabin floor? I installed a longer track for the mizzen boom last spring and I am planning to cut down my mizzen sail over the winter. I'm 6 feet tall and want to be able to stand fully under the bimini, so I'm thinking I need the boom to be at least 6' 4" above the cabin sole.
Hey there Jeff… good questions:
1) I probably should’ve been less jokey and more specific here, but basically the amount in each gallon that we purchased differed. I had made marks on my measurement cups for 1 quart (945ish cc) of resin and 13cc of catalyst (that’s just shy of 1.4%). The first 3 pours of every gallon were fine, but the 4th regularly came up a little short… so I’d open another gallon to top it off… but that left the 4th pour off that gallon even shorter… hopefully you get the idea. It just became a running thing for me and Heather caught it on camera.
2) You’re spot on, my friend: Garuda’s prior frame was adapted from a collapsable fabric bimini frame (and it worked but it just wasn’t very stable). The main problem was the old davits - which didn’t work at all. So as long as I was beefing them up, I changed everything. 😝
You can watch the full episode here: ua-cam.com/video/JPlqGOCry3o/v-deo.html
3) My mizzen boom meets the mast at 6’5” (the boom is angled up slightly from the track at the mast so this is it’s lowest point). I’ve been trying to avoid moving the boom up and cutting the sail down as I imagine I’ll replace the sail someday and can make changes then… but that’s another subject (and episode? 😉). The bottom of the new bimini is right at 6’ (I’m a bit shorter than you and you’d do fine standing under my bimini, but you’d have to be mindful of the stainless poles). We might have to have sundowners in your cockpit. 😎 🍺
I hope this helps. Thanks for being such a loyal viewer… and I hope to see you out here again soon!
Y’all are working so hard. The hard top looks great though. I might be doing something similar on my boat so it was helpful to see how it’s done.
Oouch please mask up... grinding and sanding glass! keep up the great work. how did you make foam vs plywood availablility? Seems ply might be a bit heavy..?
Such a good question - and what I feel was the biggest decision for the entire project. Foam is available (more expensive than ply here) and would've been lighter but I opted for wood to give myself a 100% screw-downable surface for future attachments.
Garuda is a lot like me: a little saggy in the aft with the potential for more energy in the future.
@@sailinggaruda for sure make future-proofing using the ply, are you over-drilling and filling with epoxy or just praying the sealant works around the fasteners? here is too the final bimini version!
I could not see if you ran the round over bit over all edges of the Ply to make a smooth rounded edge?
Good catch... yes, but it's not entirely smooth as I added a 1/2" rubber automotive strip around the edges for a more finished look.
What was the cost of the Bimini frame. Materials and labor. Please.
I think the answer you’re looking for is roughly US$5000 but it’s broken down a bit differently. A few costs are directly related to my location: A fair amount is added by the boat yard when a vendor comes in, there’s a government tax that’s collected, and there’s an exchange rate at play here (plus some back-and-forth negotiations). None of that was actually itemized but it’s in there and we feel it’s about 30%. Materials were about US$1800 (including material transportation because we didn’t find much locally); so that would leave US$1700 in labor.
Thanks. That gives me dinner idea.