Company:
Lake Shore Boat Top Company, Inc

Project Details

Fabric 1

Sunbrella
Producer: Glen Raven Custom Fabrics LLC
Supplier: Keyston Bros.

Fabric 2

Strataglass
Producer: Strataglass LLC
Supplier: Keyston Bros.

Fabric 3

Solar Fix Thread
Producer: Solar Fix
Supplier: Keyston Bros.

Fabric 4

Phifertex Screen
Producer: Phifer
Supplier: Manart-Hirsch Co. Inc.

Fabric 5

YKK Zippers
Producer: YKK
Supplier: Trivantage LLC


Design Name
Rob Kotowski, Bob Kotowski

Design Company
Lake Shore Boat Top Company, Inc

Fabrication Name
Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Jake Koch, Nick Featherstone, Phyllis Gielow

Project Manager Name
Rob Kotowski & Bob Kotowski

Installation Name
Rob Kotowski, Gregory Phillips, Nick Featherstone


Please describe the project specifications

We built a custom camper top with 1 ¼” Stainless Frame to provide our customer with an extended living space on the back of his boat. This was a 10 panel with 40 mil Strataglass window enclosure. This project also had 6 interchangeable screen panels that would zip in and out in replacement of a solid glass window. The rigid supports we designed also were used as handrails to board and exit the cockpit.


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

The purpose of this project was to extend the living space and boating season for our customer and so he could use the boat in early Spring and late Fall when the weather is still chilly. The client was very straight forward with the design he was looking for, and wanted an enclosure that was not going to be boxy. We delivered a design that was going to match all the lines of his yacht.


What is unique or complex about the project?

This customized camper top frame was designed and crowned to match the hardtop and the stern of the boat. This process required us to make templates of the stern and the crown of the hard top so we could match both perfectly. We also crowned our rigid supports on the port and starboard sides to support the frame and also to be used as handrails to board and exit the cockpit. Another challenge was building 10 glass panels for this enclosure and also building 6 additional panels, which were duplicate screens. We needed to have all 16 panels work together as one.


What were the results of the project?

The design provided the customer with a clean clear “Fishbowl” view from inside the cockpit out. This job also allowed for our customer to be able to take trips with his boat comfortably and not have to worry about the elements outside. No matter what the weather is like, he can entertain friends and family in style.


Content is submitted by the participant. IFAI is not responsible for the content descriptions of the IAA award winners.