I am entertaining the idea of building a T Top for my 22 ft side console panga out of Sch 40 11/2 PVC. Any body ever tried this and is willing to
give me some advise on pipe size, rigidity, etc. Will 2 uprights, 2 ft apart and attached to the console at 6 different places, give enough support
for a 42'x 72' canopy?taoswheat - 5-14-2010 at 01:41 PM
You might want to find Schedule 80 for the uprights just to provide more strength for the load bearing parts. People will use the uprights as handles
in rough water.
I have not tried a T Top. I did make car top rails for my 80# kayak from 5' pieces of 2" Schedule 40 and they work just fine.
I believe it will get brittle over time with sun exposure, but the price is right.backninedan - 5-14-2010 at 02:20 PM
Ed, I think Taos is correct, the sun will kill it pretty quick.
[Edited on 5-14-2010 by backninedan]comitan - 5-14-2010 at 03:26 PM
Schedule 80 and paint them.msteve1014 - 5-14-2010 at 04:18 PM
You might want to use the gray PVC, (electrical conduit). The electrical conduit is more UV resistant than the white plumbing PVC. It will still get
brittle over time but not as rapidly.taoswheat - 5-14-2010 at 05:16 PM
That PVC T Top looks clunky because the verticals are straight. A friend of mine does electrical work and has a rig for heating and bending gray PVC.
If you could get some bends made, you could make the top look better and be more stable.
Still don't know how long it will last.Cypress - 5-14-2010 at 05:17 PM
PVC for supporting a T-top? It's possible. Bob and Susan - 5-14-2010 at 06:48 PM
taylor made makes one for $400
a place in mich has a stainless one for $500
why make a junky one that may just blow away
i'll bet you'll be into it at least $300 before you finishamirravon - 5-14-2010 at 09:54 PM
I look the Taylor web site for T-tops and couldn't find any ! can you post a link ? ThanksAwatson - 5-14-2010 at 11:29 PM
I did a bimini out of 1-1/4" pvc that lasted a bunch of years on a bayrunner, but a better option would be plain old steel. If you can weld, and have
a simple Home Depot conduit bender, you can bend 1" ungalvanized steel tubing (not electrical conduit) and make something pretty professional looking.
Grind the welds smooth, you can even use body filler if you need to; then prime and paint. The 1" steel tube for that would cost less than $40. It's
just labor after that. You could even use
larger 1-1/4" pipe for the uprights. Just some ideas...Bob and Susan - 5-15-2010 at 05:05 AM
Ed...can you use a top like that one above? Simple to install, cheap, and lots of shade. Somebody could easily pick it up in Jamul and deliver, I
should think. Just a thought to keep that harsh sun off your head.
Of course, maybe all you want is a project? If so...Buena suerte.
Now for that insanely cheap bimini, you can always scrounge in your garage and find an old beach umbrella that will work for a day or two. amirravon - 5-15-2010 at 08:58 AM
Pompano you are a good fisherman and a good comedian ...lol
Thanks Bob.vandenberg - 6-6-2010 at 01:21 PM
Got this one built for around $50.00.
Since I'm a "flatwater fisherman", it should do me.
Inserted 1 inch pvc into the 11/4 " uprights and also into the long sides of the canopy.
RnR - 6-6-2010 at 01:33 PM
Wow! Looks great!LaTijereta - 6-6-2010 at 04:24 PM
We used 3/4" copper pipe (painted white).
The upper top has two "hinged" fold outs for those slow trolling days to provide additional shade on either side.
Worked good for the last 20 years in Loreto..Only replaced the top yellow canvas about five years ago.
Top section is removable with four winged ss screws for those winter days when not needed.comitan - 6-6-2010 at 04:31 PM
I'm sorry but it doesn't look like much protection from the sun. The screen material maybe is 60%.
[Edited on 6-7-2010 by comitan]desertcpl - 6-6-2010 at 05:44 PM
looks great to me,, any thing more would get in the way of fishing and that is what a panga is all about;
I had one like that about 20 years agovandenberg - 6-6-2010 at 06:19 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by comitan
I'm sorry but it doesn't look like much protection from the sun. The screen material maybe is 60%.
Wiley,
I made a second roll up type of shade that I can use if the sun gets too bright.
comitan - 6-6-2010 at 06:23 PM
Looks like you got it covered!vandenberg - 6-6-2010 at 06:24 PM
