2016 Archive : Frommelt

Project Details

Fabric 1

Sunbrella
Producer: Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC
Supplier: Trivantage LLC

Fabric 2

Vinyl, Clear
Producer: TMI
Supplier: TMI

Please describe the project specifications

To design and fabricate a top that can handle high speeds and bad weather, as well as be easily taken down and stored within the boat.

What was the purpose of this project? What did the client request?

Our customer came to us as a repeat customer with a challenge we gladly met. He needed a top that was unique and attractive while also being functional and sturdy when traveling at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Our customer also requested front, side, and back curtains that were practical and easily assembled in case they were caught in bad weather. He also requested that his top be as unique as his boat; it had to stand out and stand up to the distinctive style and design of the boat.

What is unique or complex about the project?

The requirements given by our customer were well outside the standard specifications on our tops. The strength of the framework was critical as our standard tops allow the user to travel a maximum of 35 miles per hour while on the water. To compensate for the excess speed, we used ridged kicker struts for extra stability, ball and socket mounts to reduce any rattling of the framework, and fabricated the frame out of stainless steel tubing.
The top needed to give any passengers plenty of head room, necessitating a taller frame that also had to be incorporated with the requirement of the top and curtains being able to fold up and be stored in the boat while not in use. As for the design of the top, the customer gave us full creative responsibility on the fabric design with the stipulation that it not be a single color. Drawing inspiration from the design on the bow of his boat, we came up with a “jagged” stripe using Jockey Red, Turquoise, and Sunflower Sunbrella to compliment the colors of the boat. The three colors were heat-knifed and sewn together to give the top a flat finished look from above and below the top. The enclosure was designed to zip directly to the top and snap to the preexisting snaps on the boat. To keep the enclosure more water tight and weather/sun resistant we added flaps to cover the zippers.

What were the results of the project?

Our customer has put his trust in our work year after year; this is the third boat we have worked on for him and he was not disappointed. The look of the top and curtains exceeded his expectations and coordinated perfectly to the design of his boat. He was in awe of how well the top performed after his first time out on the lake. He already has plans to bring in more work to our company.

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