Rafiki's New Canopy

rafiki_

rafiki_

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19 Jan 2009
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Stratford on Avon
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Please excuse the indulgance, but I am really pleased with the new canopy.

Compare original

RafikiCanopy001.jpg
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With new

RafikiCanopy033.jpg


The new front frame slides up and down a track on the radar arch, to tension the canopy, then to drop back down so the frame stows nicely against the arch when the canopy is removed, for those rare sunny days. We now have a bimini, for those even rarer hot sunny days with both front and rear canopy sections.

RafikiCanopy015.jpg


The outdrives are back on, the new radio head is fitted (giving iPod connectivity).

Still a fair bit to do before she goes back in though.
 
Nice job, just being picky, you might want to put something over the stainless rails so they don't "burn" the clear plastic in our scorching hot summers.
Good job tho, who made it ?
 
Very nice Rafiki, not often you see a replacement which beats the original for looks. Did you use a local supplier ?

With days like today it seems criminal not to be on the water, so roll on lift in day :)
 
very very nice Raf... I'm also interested in the supplier as my canopy is getting right on my moobs at the moment.. if it weren't summer this weekend, I'd swear it's shrunk with the cold;)
 
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The new shape forward of the targa not only looks better but will surely give you a better option to stand at the helm and accessing the companion-way steps.

Just out of curiosity R, what is the square attachment to the stb side window?
 
AndieMac said:
The new shape forward of the targa not only looks better but will surely give you a better option to stand at the helm and accessing the companion-way steps.

Just out of curiosity R, what is the square attachment to the stb side window?
Click to expand...

Andy, quite right. Being quite tall, the original canopy did not really allow me to stand at the helm, with it erected. This new one will be better, rain or shine.

The square attachment pushes the clear window off the frame
 
Chris Harris of Harris Hoods made the canopy. He is based at Kidderminster on the Trusty Boats site, and builds their OE canopies.

He has done a fantastic job with mine, working with my requirements, and coming up with great solutions. He uses high quality material and fittings too. He also makes the framework. Great value in my opinion.

He has only been working on his own for just over a year, and has done many canopies and covers at our Marina.

To answer Spotty, the plastic windows are held off the frames with spacer blocks, so I hope there won't be any discoloration problems.
 
rafiki_ said:
Andy, quite right. Being quite tall, the original canopy did not really allow me to stand at the helm, with it erected. This new one will be better, rain or shine.
Click to expand...
V nice job, rafiki. I always used to stand driving the sports boats we've owned so the new cover is way better IMHO
 
well done Rafiki,
she defo is much better then old canopy.

one question,
how to you avoind water coming in, between the canopy and the front window ?
does it have a special seal on there ?

on mine there is a rubber roll, in the inside corner,
but this is not perfect
 
looks v.good indeed, however I'm puzzled is the existing one the factory fitted item? How could they, it does look way wrong, the new design is so much better (talking mainly on the front part on top of the windscreen where the extra frame makes the curve smoother) and looking so much better in profile. well done!

V.
 
virtuvas said:
is the existing one the factory fitted item? How could they, it does look way wrong,
Click to expand...

well actually I'm not that much surprised with that design, (I agree it is wrong)
I've seen both factory fitted and oem canopy's much worse then that !
f.e. completely vertical windows, above a 45* angled front window, .. urch... :eek:
 
Looks good Rafiki. But, and scuse me for saying it as i see it, don't you think you should get him to adjust it a bit to take out the ripples, especially the triangle side window panel in your pic 2 of 3?
 
BartW said:
well done Rafiki,
she defo is much better then old canopy.

one question,
how to you avoind water coming in, between the canopy and the front window ?
does it have a special seal on there ?

on mine there is a rubber roll, in the inside corner,
but this is not perfect
Click to expand...

Bart, thanks, no seal, the canopy overlaps the frame, same as the original, and to date I have not had a problem with water ingress, except at the very rear of the windscreen surround, where a strong sidewind can blow water in through a gap.
 
jfm said:
Looks good Rafiki. But, and scuse me for saying it as i see it, don't you think you should get him to adjust it a bit to take out the ripples, especially the triangle side window panel in your pic 2 of 3?
Click to expand...

John, thanks. Actually Chris needed to get away sharpish to another client, and we didn't fit the quarter panels properly, as I wanted to get some quick pics before we put the old one back on, while she is still laid-up out of the water. I was absolutely astounded how good the fit is, given that Chris has not done any prior fitting, just made the bits up from his templates, and fitted right first time.

Chris has use .75 mm thick clear panels, which are much thicker and stiffer than the original. With the acrylic being so new, it all needs to bed-in a bit.
 
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