Motor Boat DIY Fibre Glass Refits & Modifications

[Nike55]

Having recently bought a 31 ft Project with a heavily modified forward saloon (i.e. removed) and a glassed over flat deck, I need 24 inches of extra headroom (only to be used when moored) in order to use the saloon and wondered if anyone had come across any threads (I have 'searched') regarding raising a deck section, similar to a VW camper van roof?

The only thing I can come up with is a section cut out and four / six linear actuators to raise with additional deck strengthening around the sides - probably ending up looking like a sports car roll cage on the inside, although I'm not sure about the materials to use...

Perhaps I should rephrase the question: Can anyone recommend a good marine designer/engineer in the Egham / Staines area of West London?!

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Hmmm. My very first thought with this was 'what would the insurers say?'. I think your project could very quickly become uneconomic as currently defined because you could quickly spend a ton of money on getting someone to design a complex solution for you, then fabricating it, and then getting it tested to the satisfaction of your insurers. How about just cutting a big hole where you need it - and then create the headroom you want with camper covers? I don't think I've read about anyone doing anything like a hi-lo saloon on this forum, although this (current) thread shows that if you put your mind to it you can do just about anything you like to a project boat:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?461446-Buckingham-20-restoration-formerly-Plant-Pot

 

[Nike55]

Hi Jimmy_the_builder,

I know - probably a bit of a dream but the 'Plant Pot' thread gave me the inspiration... there are simpler ways to do it which I am researching..

As for insurers I will need a specialist eventually as most will only happily insure the more modern weekenders, a 1969 diy project with a few 'extras' on the deck will not go down well without a full engineering report.