I would be happy to write it up. I will provide more info when it is finished. I can say it was very affordable compared to quotes I got from some of the major hard top builders you can find when you google. I initially contacted wakeboard tower manufacturers in TN. I was going to have them build the frame and I was gonna do the top out of AZEK or something.
The wakeboard guy put me in touch with a guy who used to manufacture hard tops as original equipment for powerboats. He had a couple fiberglass tops leftover and also the benders and welders. He needed the work so I got a good price. I did all the measuring and I have to go get it and install it.

[QUOTE=mutualfun;20867]Mike must say a good idea. I have a ton of questions as I am in the process of redoing my hard top and gettig ready to make a dodger out of plascore n biaxial glass. Did you do all the measurements yourself and he will fabricate it. Can he do stainless do you know. Is tooth boat close by him as mine is 1200 miles ad I would love to talk to him or you via phone.[/QUOTE]

I measured the boat and told him the distances between legs fore and aft and side to side. I also marked up photos and sent him the catalina 36 drawing from the brochure indicating what I wanted. He designed the curves and bends and supports. I did some calculations for the davit flex. He mostly designed it and made the drawing. He has been building boat tops since 1984 so I figured he should design it and I am glad he did. I think it looks cool. He had the fiberglass top already and I am not sure if he does glass work anymore. He does have one more top but it is longer (84") and not as wide. I do not know if he does stainless but I would be surprised if he doesn't. If you want to email me or private message me I will give him your phone number.

The top is being built in Nashville and I am picking it up.

Here it is. Davit is reinforced and has a cross brace. I think it looks great and very affordable. I cant decide if I want to install it on boat or wire it up and mount solar while it is in my garage.

[QUOTE=HowLin;20892]Mike - how much does it weigh?[/QUOTE]

I was told the fiberglass was 60 lbs so I guess the whole thing is 100 to 150 lbs or maybe less. It feels like less though and is super easy for 2 people to pick up and carry. Aluminum pipe is very light. The 2" pipe is the largest with an OD of 2.375 and is .78 lb/ft. So imagine the davits are less than 20 lbs total.

[QUOTE=steadfast;20894]Mike, that looks great! Would love to see the pictures of it installed. I have been thinking about how to deal with tender storage and solar panel installation on Steadfast and yours is an elegant solution to both issues. Not sure if you answered this already but are you planning to have this connect to any existing canvas (dodger or side curtains)?[/QUOTE]

I might install side curtains on the bolt rope track. Not sure about dodger. I might send my dodger to the place in st pete. I will keep my dodger frame and they duplicate existing canvas. Quote was lowest I found at like 1k or $1100 or something. So if I get a new dodger I will do some sort of connection, but prob not right away. I will cruise and see if I really want it.

[QUOTE=LCBrandt;20903]A related question about weight: What kind of weight load do you think the davits (and their supporting structure on the aft deck) ought to be able to handle? Assuming calm seas, of course. In a seaway, any weight on the davits will be some multiple of the steady state weight.[/QUOTE]

I calcuated with an online calculator and also had a design engr I work with do the same. Without the support above, in other words just the 2" pipe it a 300 lb dinghy would be 25 percent capacity. It would deflect like .4 inches or something close. We added the top support anyway so I would imagine the capacity would be way high. This assumes the welds are good. Also since the legs are 80 wide and 46 inches between fore and aft it has to be strong.
Of course testing will show the truth as it always does.......

Finally warmed up so I put the hard top on. I still need to run wiring through it and make hole for backstay, then bolt it down. I will level it also.
I haven't bought solar panels yet but I will probably put 2 140 watt panel on top.

[QUOTE=LCBrandt;21475]Mike, that's beautiful! One of the best ideas on the C36IA website for a long time. An article in the Technical - Upgrades archive would be very valuable.

Thank you for sharing your fine idea.[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I am really happy with it. I cut the hole for the backstay last night. I was going to run the run the wires for the solar panels and accessories but I decided I needed to install a grommet where the wires enter the tubing. I am going to run the wires down the front port leg through the deck at the mounting plate.
I plan on putting LED lighting on the underside of the top. I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions of what else I should install either on top or on the underside of the top. I have speakers in the cockpit already.