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| Custom Aluminum Components ...for your boat. If you have questions, ask them here and im will attempt to answer them for you. T-Tops, Leaning Posts, Hard Tops, and much more. Have it done right, by Bluewater Tops, LLC. |
What have you got to say about the topic of: "Folding hardtop/Arch". Here's how is started: "I am looking into buying a new boat and am starting to weigh my options "
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12-05-2006, 02:53 PM
| #1 | ||
| NBS Member  Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT
Posts: 1,318
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I am looking into buying a new boat and am starting to weigh my options for folding tops. I have a bridge to get under that has about a 6'6" clearance at mean high water. The boat I am looking at is a Hydra Sports 3300 Vector VX. I am considering ordering a new one without the top then have something fabricated or bying a used one and reworking the existing top. I need ideas and suggestions for this project. I am pretty creative and have access to most machine shop type tools and am good with fiberglass also, not afraid to cut and make mistakes, so anything is possible. I need somone to help make this project a possibilityi.e. bending and welding. Here is a shot of the type of boat. I am envisioning a radar arch with a bimini going forward and the whole lot designed to fold into the cockpit. This could be made from scratch or use parts of the existing hardtop. Let me hear suggestions and ideas from all, nothing out of the question at this point. Thanks in advance for all replies.  | ||
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12-05-2006, 06:07 PM
| #2 | ||
  Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Exeter, Rhode Island
Posts: 3,636
| Bryan, Looked at the 3300VX last couple of years..... Beautiful boat, very well-made.....options out the aZZ....and storage....my god, no shortage there! If they made it in a diesel I might be out looking for another mortgage!  PM Jim about top options.......
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12-06-2006, 08:07 AM
| #3 | ||
| NBS Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT
Posts: 1,318
| Thanks 74' I just started looking at the 33vx and am also impressed. I was considering a Contender 35 but I think I like this one better. I am trying to seatrial one this Friday, we'll se how it goes. I was hoping Jim would chime in but I'll PM him if he doesn't. Thanks again. | ||
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12-06-2006, 01:13 PM
| #4 | ||
| Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Exeter, Rhode Island
Posts: 3,636
| PM him, he doesn't always see every thread, he's got aluminum pipes all over his shop these days, climbing out the doors LOLOL....... 
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12-06-2006, 01:38 PM
| #5 | ||
| NBS Member  Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Scotland, CT
Posts: 376
| I have often thought about the same thing - I keep my boat in Gales Ferry marina on the Thames River. Have to go through a train tressell. But I'm probably not going to keep my present boat - I like the Marina, whenI get the boat Im gonna stay with I'll have to do some brainstorming | ||
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12-07-2006, 04:06 AM
| #6 | ||
 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Home
Posts: 501
| When I was helping Jim at Arc-TeK we built this T-Top. It all folds forward with the windshield to a level below the GPS antenna.You can do the same with a hard top.
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12-07-2006, 06:25 AM
| #7 | ||
  Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: VOODOO GRILL, MYSTIC
Posts: 3,166
| HI BRYAN, A HARDTOP OF THAT SIZE WOULD BE A TASK TO TRY AND FOLD DOWN. THE WIEGHT WOULD BE APP 250/300 LBS. WOULD NOT BE PRACTICAL. IF YOU BOUGHT A BOAT IN THE 33 CLASS, BEST OPTION IS TO PUT A HARD MOUNT TOP LIKE SHOWN AND MOVE TO A MARINA THAT COULD ACCOMADATE, JIM  | ||
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12-07-2006, 10:22 AM
| #8 | ||
| NBS Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT
Posts: 1,318
| I hear ya Jim. But the Marina I am at now is free, (MyHouse). I have plenty of water and it would be worth it for the right boat that I would keep for a long time. I would be able to recoup my cost in dock fees over the years. If I was going to a marina I would buy a totally different boat, probably Downeast style. Trying to avoid that (a marina). I'm just looking into it now, anything is possible, I just need to find someone willing to help and you seem very creative. I have a few ideas for hinges and stuff, like I said i have confidence in building just about anyting. I just need to find the right boat. Even if I just put a large Bimini top on it, that would work to. I just ordered a TIG welder that I have no idea how to use yet, but I will learn. I could use a sensei. Thanks for the replies. | ||
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12-07-2006, 06:59 PM
| #9 | ||
| Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: VOODOO GRILL, MYSTIC
Posts: 3,166
| what type??? | ||
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12-08-2006, 07:49 AM
| #10 | ||
| NBS Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT
Posts: 1,318
| I assume you mean welder. Lincoln Precision TIG 225. I am a shop teacher and we are adding this to our current arsenal, it fit into the budget this year so here we go....it should be here soon. We currently have stick, flux core and Mig in the shop now. No great welders, I just give the kids the basics and if they like it it and exibit some ability it is up to them to practice. | ||
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