In a message dated 7/24/00 11:03:16 PM Central Daylight Time, owner-trawler-world-list@samurai.com writes: << Frank Burrows <fburrows@csi.com> Subject: TWL: Flybridge Hardtop I have been looking for a fiberglass hardtop to replace the bimini on my 79 43' Viking. >> My Symbol came with a "home made" hardtop on the bridge. It appears to be two sheets of alumium, similar to what is probably used on the sides of trailers or motorhomes. It had a baked on finish, which apparently did not hold upwell on the top, but excellent on the underside. The previous owner had rolled epoxy on the top, with some fairing compound in it. I had it sanded to the alumium, primed with two part epoxy and sprayed with Awlgrip. The top layer is Alumium, there is a 2x2 framework about 2 feet apart, one foot from the center line, running fore and aft. There appear to be some 2x4 blocks in the area of hardware attatchment. The area between the two sheets of alumium (underside is also alumium) is filled with a medium density closed cell foam, with the alumium glued to it. There is a 13,500 BTU RV air conditioner on the top, as well as search light and steaming light. It seems to easly support the weight of several people. The attatchment is by one inch stainless tubing, probably into the origional bimini eyes on the boat. The top has one inch pipe, with 1/4 inch plate about 4 inches in diameter welded to it, which is screwed into the supporting wood in the sandwich of the top. The edges were covered with some type of polyproplyene tape (such as used in RV seams) I had this removed and had two layers of fiber glass tape applied with epoxy and faired in. It is flat topped, but no water collects, due to the slight rolling motion. It is much cooler than a bimini. The sides are vinyl sheeting. I am considering using Lexan or plexiglass sheeting in the future. The Air Conditioner drops the temperature about 12 degrees below the ambiant temperature, plus it blows on the back of the neck of the helms man to keep him cool! I am told that it was assembled by the previous owner and then carried by six men to the boat and then put in place in a few hours. I understand that it is about 5 years old and seems to be holding up very well. I would guess that the materials are not expensive (probably less than $2,000) Bob Austin Symbol 42 Pensacola FL