A25 hardtop kit

[glk34]

Does anyone know of a hardtop kit or plans available for the extension of the fiberglass/ply A25 top? I thought a while back I read of a kit available in BC. Any info would be great.

Chris
"Iron Jack"

[sail149]

Just saw this on google street view from 2011 I think
Any use?

[WillieC]

A backhoe mounted atop the aft cabin! Why didn't I think of it! That is perfect for hauling shrimp pots and my 150# anchor!

Chris, check out BCAlbineers if you haven't already. Another great collection of Albin enthusiasts. A few have been trying to garner enough interest for mass(ish) producing another batch of hardtops.

[glk34]

Thanks, will check out the BC bunch.

[DesertAlbin736]

Well, I suppose you could do something like what I did for our boat last year which can be seen in prior postings. I chose to make the hard top to only cover the opening above the helm, but one could make it as long as one likes.

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=7953

You could make it out of plywood & glass over with cloth & resin, or do a full layup (expensive & labor intensive) with gelcoat, resin, cloth, chopped mat, & foam coring.

Step 1) Make a pattern using 1/2 or 1 inch thick sheet styrofoam insulation.

Step 2) Use the pattern to shape a mold using lumber for a frame & masonite for mould surface

Step 3) Coat with release wax & PVA

Step 4) Lay up with gelcoat, resin, f/g mat, & foam coring

[NickScheuer]

I might be interested in a Hardtop Kit, however, how its styling dovetails with the Albin-25's original features is very important to me. I've seen photos of a number of Hardtop mods and nearly all fall short in one way or another to my eye. We would keep the original open top over the helm simply because I like to stand in fair weather and so does my Mate, whose seat is aligned with the keel so individual small hatches such as appearing above do not appeal. I do not yet have a cartoon finished for posting.

[hetek]

My hardtop "kit" is simply a large piece of white King Starboard, screwed in place. It has a small hatch mounted in the center for ventilation. It came with the boat. Not what you're looking for if you intend to stand at the helm.

This is Joe DeMers' A25 DeLuxe that was just on eBay. His hardtop was fabricated by a previous owner and Joe seemed to like it very much. The top is 1/4" plywood I believe, with mahogany ribs on the underside. It is held in place by wooden toggles that either rotate or unscrew to allow the opening of the helm section. The section over the helm is hinged and can be folded up and over and lays onto the port side section.

image.jpg

Not exactly a kit but it doesn't look too hard to fabricate. Might have to make something similar myself.

[glk34]

The BC groups seem to be using a fiberglass top. I think the look is good and does not take away from the original A25 look. No backhoe attachment desired here.

[NickScheuer]

I think it's time to start the Hardtop project for the Du NORD. I'd post a cartoon but I can't figure out how my printer/scanner/faxer works for scanning.

I found an old two-page list of projects for the Albin a few days ago (hadn't looked at it for a couple of years) and was surprised to find that nearly everything has been accomplished. The Hardtop was one of several exceptions.

This would be a good off-season to start because procrastination is sure to play a role and it'll likely be late 2017 or 2018 before we have a finished hardtop. Our cockpit canvas is getting old and I sure don't want to have to replace it.

The side curtains for the hardtop would be recut from existing canvas, then replaced as need arises. Instead of zippers along the top edges there would be beaded edging fitting into metal grooves along the perimeter of the hardtop.

One important feature would be hinged panels port & st'bd, immediately abaft the pilothouse (where we now enter and egress) so that Gayle and I wouldn't have to double-up so low to pass under the present opening in the canvas.

Another feature would be handrails matching those on the pilothouse and fore cabin (the top of the existing canvas cockpit cover is hard to grasp) so that I wouldn't need to add a stern pulpit for security. We like the bow pulpit, but not a stern pulpits and lifelines.

[glk34]

Old Maggie's owner and I made a trip stateside to check out the hardtop on 2manyboats A25. We really liked the look and had a great morning visiting. We are hoping to get together next summer for a week on Penobscot bay. Maybe we can get a "Far northeast"rendezvous going up here.

Chris (glk34)
"Iron Jack"

[2manyboats]

Chris;
Have any luck finding a hardtop or will this become a winter build project?

I'm still up for a early Aug get together. My buddy is working hard on his A25, hoping to ready. There have been quite a few new owners popping up on AOG lately A25s and A27s Maybe we can attract some of them

Wayne

[glk34]

Wayne, Old Maggies top is almost ready to install. Her owners started the hardtop shortly after we came down to visit. Maybe they will post some pictures when finished. As for our boat "Iron Jack", the hardtop will have to wait a bit as our sunbrella enclosure and windows are in great shape so we want to get at least another year service from them. Enjoy Florida and keep an eye on the election.

Chris

[NickScheuer]

Just noticed your home port, glk34! When I was in the US Army at Loring AFB We would occasionally drive down to Frederikton for dinner at a particular restaurant. Then back in the late 1970's we cruised the St John River above the reversing falls in our Dovekie in company with the Builder, Peter Duff and a group of about ten boats. I now have a plan to tow our Albin-25 out to the Bra D'Or Lakes in a couple of years. Well give you a shout as to when so we might meet along the road through NB, eh?

[glk34]

Yes Nick, look us up if traveling through NB. We also plan to do the Bra dors at some point. Planning to go back to Ontario this summer to cruise the thousand Islands area.

Chris

[NickScheuer]

glk34, we have a leading couple in our local US Power Squadron Chapter who towed their Carver to the Thousand Islands from Rockford this last summer. They will be showing film at an upcoming meeting.