Camper Top

jme097

So I have the dreaded 2007 280 camper top where it goes under the arch rather than connecting to it which makes taking the bimini top down and putting it back up a disaster. I was curious about what it would take to convert it to connect to the arch. Does anyone know if I would have to change the arch so it has the zipper tracks on it? 

Cableguy Greg

My arch has the track that the canvas connects to. I can get you pictures of what I have if you would like.

Handymans342

So if you attach the track to the arch be prepared for the paint to start peeling due to electrolysis

jme097

Then how do they do it from the factory to not have the paint peel?

reneechris14

Oh no the paint chips off.

jme097

From the factory?! 

Handymans342

They are stainless screws into Aluminium

Handymans342

I dont know how to avoid it

Stodge

@jme097 if you come to get the A/C control after I launch I can show you how the zipper strip is attached to my arch.

skennelly

Could you avoid the stainless into aluminum combo if you used aluminum rivets instead?

Handymans342

Track space is too thin to get rivet gun head in

Dude_Himself

HeII, glue it on. 3M VHB.

I'm in the same boat, HAHA! But mine's a 2006. I hate it. Only thing about the boat I hate. I'm real tempted to buy the stuff I need from SailRite and convert the top to attach to the arch.

Willhound

My 2000 is the same. Leaks at the joint under the arch every time it rains and would like to be able to mount lights and speakers on the arch. Would love if I could convert but not sure it's worth the price/hassle. Will probably change out canvas in a season or two, so definitely a consideration.

jme097

Thats why I am curious. Not going to pursue it if its going to be crazy expensive

Handymans342

Perhaps you could do a nylon insert and a stainless screw instead of a stainless screw right into the aluminum arch??????

Handymans342

Ok, I just found high strength plastic screws on line. So I will remove my track on the arch, drill and tap the existing hole and presto, no more corrosion. Wow I'm good. LOL

skennelly

I'll take some credit for making you think outside the box.

Handymans342

I also will put on a small bead of 4200

rasbury

Mine go under the arch, why the big deal? Mine did not leak...i don't have any light in the arch as that would be a problem...guess it would look better that way...never really thought about it..

raybo3

rasbury said:

Mine go under the arch, why the big deal? Mine did not leak...i don't have any light in the arch as that would be a problem...guess it would look better that way...never really thought about it..

A friend of mine had a Formula and his canvas went under his arch. He had 2 spreader lights on his arch. No problem he had 2 round holes cut in the canvas and 2 pieces of isinglass installed and problem gone. Worked great.......... Just say'n

Dude_Himself

Just a few of my gripes:

1. Can't easily fold the bimini for storage.
2. Can't add spreader lights
3. Can't add any kind of TV mount (I'm not that kind of boater, but just saying)
4. Raising/lowering the anchor light and VHF antenna is difficult (point 1) and dangerous on the water
5. Can't put up just the front half or rear half of the bimini - sure, you can unzip the last foot, but what does that do for you really? It's either 100% sun or shade.
6. Can't hang a load-bearing adult harness system
7. More difficult to add flexible solar panels to the bimini/radar arch.

Stodge

LMAO@#6

Why are your anchor light and VHF antenna down?  I put mine up after I splash and they stay that way till we pull out for the season.

Could be worse.  My old 280 didn't have an arch at all.

Willhound

Dude_Himself said:

Just a few of my gripes

1. Can't hang a load-bearing adult harness system

Wait!........what?!?  Kinky......I like it...

raybo3

Stodge said:

LMAO@#6

Why are your anchor light and VHF antenna down?  I put mine up after I splash and they stay that way till we pull out for the season.

Could be worse.  My old 280 didn't have an arch at all.

To get under bridges..... I have to lower mine all the time.......

jme097

lmao @Dude_Himself love #6 brother. Thats hilarious. But yes every point you hit is a valid issue. I put in light on the radar arch and then after I did it I realized it was a waste of time as I can't use them when the top is up LOL. 

Dude_Himself

My 280 is a trailer sailer (yes, it's ridiculously big for it, but honestly I can launch/land in the same time as most smaller boats). I can't drag it down the road with the VHF antenna and anchor light up - turns out that attracts electrons.

Hit a powerline, took out the anchor light and TV service for a side street, thankfully caught it and stopped right before the higher-voltage lines at the bridge span - I think the VHF might have caught the bottom line there. I haven't forgotten since.

jme097

lol I keep mine on a trailer during the fall and winter when I pull it out for the season. I have no issues with how big she is. People always say its way too big of a boat to be pulling around. I think otherwise LOL

04FV270riverrat

@Willhound My 04 270 has the bimini under the arch....just put windows in! @raybo3 it works like a charm!

thepriceisright

I don't get why everyone goes with blue light. Allow me to nerd out here for a sec...

1) Humans can't focus on many wavelengths of blue light. The way it scatters in our cornea means the focal point occurs slightly beyond our retina, making it look blurry. As we constantly attempt to focus, it can lead to eye strain, which can cause headaches, nausea, and even long term vision impairments.

2) Blue light deposits more of it's energy in our retina, which is bad for several reasons. The most immediate reason is that it ruins our night vision temporarily. Someone in their cockpit with blue illumination will be unable to see nearly as much outside the boat as someone using red or amber lights. 

3) As I mentioned above, blue light deposits more energy in our retina than other wavelengths. This occurs because the light penetrates deeper. This can cause strain on our retina leading to macular degeneration.


http://www.allaboutvision.com/cvs/blue-light.htm
https://www.assemblymag.com/blogs/14-assembly-blog/post/91320-beware-the-blue-light

04FV270riverrat

@thepriceisright BUT THEY LOOK FRIGGIN SWEET!!!!!
I never have mine on while underway, only at the dock. Don't be a debbie downer, people like what they like and it's ok to not like the same ****!

thepriceisright

04FV270riverrat said:

@thepriceisright BUT THEY LOOK FRIGGIN SWEET!!!!!
I never have mine on while underway, only at the dock. Don't be a debbie downer, people like what they like and it's ok to not like the same ****!

It's just a pet peeve of mine. Every time I see a store using bright blue lights for their sign that renders it unreadable at night I want to drive my car through it.