Building Searay 380DA Fiberglass Hardtop

[Gallf1]

Thinking about adding two small (10" x 10") opening hatches in the hardtop to add extra ventilation but I cant believe the price of a decent Aluminum framed hatch!!!

I know you get what you pay for but......

 

[dtfeld]

Thinking about adding two small (10" x 10") opening hatches in the hardtop to add extra ventilation but I cant believe the price of a decent Aluminum framed hatch!!!

I know you get what you pay for but......

Hard top and new isinglass look great!! If I dont open up all the smilies on mine, it gets hot up front fast. A couple hatches will help.

I had "smilies" cut in my new stratoglass just for the ventilation, but if I were to do it again I would cut "Frownies". The smilies leak when it rains...

 

[Gallf1]

So....made a new toy. The new hardtop and Isinglass works great, with the two side curtains open and the center windshield section rolled up, there is plenty of breeze at cruise speed.
However, while idling it gets pretty warm.
So.....seeing as how those 12volt cabin fans are kinda wimpy in my mind, i went ahead and made a 3,000cfm 12 volt fan that runs off of the cigarrette lighter in the cockpit. The cable is also long enough to take down into engine room and/or main cabin. It has a variable speed control and on full speed it draws 1.5 amps.....
Yes, it is a 14" automotive radiator fan, in a wood frame with stainless leader wire for the front grill. Spare piece if Treadmaster non-skid for the bottom. Biggest expense was the $18.95 fan and $15.95 motor controller.

Works great!!

 

[The Bill Collector]

We open the power vent window and set this on the dash

 

[Gallf1]

We open the power vent window and set this on the dash

Yeah....thought of that but I wanted something that moved a ton of air. Can be Aimed or placed on the bench seat next to me or anywhere in the cockpit, could be taken down into engine room and be able to use in the main cabin..,it’s basically a Heavy Duty 12 volt box fan.
Already used in in the engine room while putting in new engine oil line and it moves a lot of air....

 

[Captain Spike]

A few plastic wedges tapped in and it sView attachment 80554 lipped right out of the mold....good things to say about 3 coats of Rexall #2 paste wax and 3 sprayed coats of PVA. Mold is made from tempered hardboard sealed with 3 coats of Shellac before waxing.

Needs to have final trimming and fit. I left the vertical flanges long so that I can make a final determination on what looks the most visually appealing.....straight back or slight radius to match the arch.

Some gelcoat alligators but dont care as I am going to surface fair and paint. Really happy with the product. I would say it weighs about 60-70lbs.

That’s fantastic addition quite an undertaking! Love to see the end product... on my 340 !