Adding a Pilothouse

[Iamironman28]

Hello. I am going to fab up a pilothouse for my 20' Grady. I have welding experience, but haven't decided on materials yet. Stainless, or Aluminum? fiberglass? Is there a place to buy sheets of finished fiberglass?
Is there a place that I can buy a hardtop to cap her off with? I was thinking of building a window frame myself, then having the windows added. Anybody done this?
Thanks

[ranchero]

You weld? You are ahead of the game...aluminum is light- and that's a good thing.


I may not be much help right now- I'm planning on doing same proj on 20ft skip in a few months- but i do know this- yes there is a prefab fiberglass board which has foam sandwitched in the middle between glass. It's perfect for this application. It's light and strong. I just don't know the name..but you can find out.

Some old-timer commerical fishermen in Bay Area fished the 24 skip's way back when- and had to make their own pilot houses to get them out of elements. Met one of those guys and he took me around the sausalito boat yard to check out many of them. None of the guys could remember the name of the boards- and not 2 of the 5 guys we talked to got it from the same source- but they were all able to track it down. Incidentally- all these guys thought aluminum was the best- but it was also the most expensive- so they all built their own tops because they did not weld. They all looked like Faralon's or what you'd see on the 25 skipjack.

Lastly- you weld ever check out Trophy's cabin's? Basically they are aluminum frames with glass enclosure with a hardtop over them. Check out Ridout plastics off (not on) Clairemont Mesa Blvd. They sell seaboard-
ahhh...gotta mention HARVEST taco shop by the well's fargo and boll weevil in the corner strip mall...place kicks ass!

I like the FAralon style cabin- but the nice thing about the Trophy was there was a ton of visiblity because the aluminum frames were not quite as wide. Also- i like the way the side windows slide open.


good luck!

[ChuyDawg]

What's Up Ironman28...
How are things going...
Sounds like you got a nice project going...
Hope to fish with you again next year, if not this year...
Wish you luck on your project...

[Mo Betta]

I have a Trophy Hardtop. Lots of visibility and its DRY and WARm when its blowing and your heading up hill. Let me know if I can take some pics for you, etc etc. Frank

[slydawg]

Lets See the pics!
Thanks
Sly

[stangclassic66]

Ironman28 and Ranchero,

I'd love to see pics since i've also got a 22 foot grady with a hardtop. I've got the vinyl canvas front and side enclosures but pilothouses rock!!

Erik
Golden Glo

[ranchero]

Erik,

it's going to be a while for me- at least 4-5 months down the road- but will post when done-

...attached is a pic of a beauty 25 skipjack- got pic off Sandiegofishing- hope owner does not mind. I want to use this pic as model for one I want to build

[YO HO ONO]

I'm not positive, But I think another guy said Mcmaster carr has the fiberglass sheets, I don't know that it's cored though either

may want to look for mc master carr on google they have a comprehensive website

I've been kicking the idea around as well, my boat also came as a hardtop model
I've got some pics in the gallery I'll link em here, jason photochopped
one off another boat for me

[slydawg]

Very cool guys! THis looks interesting. I like the first one best! DO they sell premade sliders?
SLy

[ranchero]

there it is...thanks.

I like both cabins...I just like the deck space on the first. If i was in Alaska I'd go with 2nd- but in ca- kelp paddies etc- ability to cast is nice...

[HighRoad]

And I assume that you SoCal-types are adding Pilot Houses to avoid becoming too tanned? With all of the great weather y'all have down there, I would have thought you'd be more interested in Center Console conversions...

Some times I really envy your sun...

[Skipjack 25]

Ranchero, Thanks for the compliments of my skipjack. I bought it in November of 2003. Completely gutted it. All new wiring, New diesel, New stainless, New upolhstery. Basically looks new. If anyone is interested in building one, your welcome to measure mine. It's slipped in Village Marina, San Diego



Jeff
25 Skipjack
Tenacious