The Polywave Roof Remodel
Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 1:38 pm
I purchased a 22' ACB in Bellingham in 2002. It's their first prototype, sold to a guy from Montana who wanted to start a guide service in Alaska. But by the time the guide showed up to purchase it, ACB was licensed to build 26' boats (up from 22') and the guide refused to take delivery of mine. I showed up and purchased it. Lucky for me, the guide had ACB tow it to Lake Spokane where he sent someone from Montana to power it. When I purchased it, ACB threw in the Armstrong bracket and 2 motors (130HP & 9.9HP Honda 4-strokes)!
Well, I've decided that I couldn't live with my boat the way it came any more. So I decided to remodel it for the following reasons:
* The rear facing windshield reflects the interior of the cabin directly into my eyes, making it difficult to see at night.
* The rear facing windshield and the slanted side windows receive rain directly, making them difficult to see out of when
it's raining.
* There is no reasonable place to store spare rods.
* The curent roof lacks tie down rails, and is too small and not flat enough to store crab/shirmp gear.
* The radar arch & rod holders are in the way when moving gear from the deck to the roof.
I decided that the best way to resolve these issues is to replace the windshield and roof.
* I will slant the windshield forward to resolve the reflection issues.
* I will provide a larger roof that overhangs the windshield & windows to prevent rain from falling on them when it's
raining.
* I will create rod storage in the eves of the roof.
* I will increase the surface area of the roof, make it flat and add tie down rails to the roof.
* I will move the radar arch to the front of the roof, and move the rod holders to the side of the cabin.
* I will also add a ladder on the side of the cabin to make it easier to get on/off the roof.
I started by removing the helm and then cutting the original dash board, roof and windshield out of the boat. Because I store my boat outside, I tarped it so that I could work on it in the rain. Unfortunately, it was quite dark inside. I fabricated an acrylic roof and can now work inside the boat with plenty of light.
I already had shore power to the boat, so I added an AC outlet. This enabled me to use my AC power tools inside the boat.
Using SolidWorks, I modeled the boat from the cabin up and then designed a new roof eve & windshield frame. Here's some pictures of how it's turned out so far:
Well, I've decided that I couldn't live with my boat the way it came any more. So I decided to remodel it for the following reasons:
* The rear facing windshield reflects the interior of the cabin directly into my eyes, making it difficult to see at night.
* The rear facing windshield and the slanted side windows receive rain directly, making them difficult to see out of when
it's raining.
* There is no reasonable place to store spare rods.
* The curent roof lacks tie down rails, and is too small and not flat enough to store crab/shirmp gear.
* The radar arch & rod holders are in the way when moving gear from the deck to the roof.
I decided that the best way to resolve these issues is to replace the windshield and roof.
* I will slant the windshield forward to resolve the reflection issues.
* I will provide a larger roof that overhangs the windshield & windows to prevent rain from falling on them when it's
raining.
* I will create rod storage in the eves of the roof.
* I will increase the surface area of the roof, make it flat and add tie down rails to the roof.
* I will move the radar arch to the front of the roof, and move the rod holders to the side of the cabin.
* I will also add a ladder on the side of the cabin to make it easier to get on/off the roof.
I started by removing the helm and then cutting the original dash board, roof and windshield out of the boat. Because I store my boat outside, I tarped it so that I could work on it in the rain. Unfortunately, it was quite dark inside. I fabricated an acrylic roof and can now work inside the boat with plenty of light.
I already had shore power to the boat, so I added an AC outlet. This enabled me to use my AC power tools inside the boat.
Using SolidWorks, I modeled the boat from the cabin up and then designed a new roof eve & windshield frame. Here's some pictures of how it's turned out so far: