People on Rear Deck

[azpaul50]

I was wondering what member experiences have been with people sitting on the rear deck, especially above or on the folded convertible top? When I got Blub, the "new" top had some small pinholes apparently from being folded and then pressure on the frame pinching the canvas. Realizing that some care is needed in folding the top down, the frame itself is also quite delicate. In fact, Blub had a broken frame arm from some past twisting motion. Do those box canvas repair systems using heat work? Has anyone devised some sort of additional support for folks sitting on the back during swimming or parading? Also just a moment to remind everyone of Memorial Day and our fallen veterans. I encourage everyone to take a moment from our usual celebration in rememberence. - azpaul50

 

[jfriese]

Hi Paul,

My friend and I most always sit on the front seat backs when boating and our wives sit on the rear seat back. We all sit on flotation cushions, more for comfort than safety, and I always ask the girls to keep their weight on the edge of the seat rather than on the unsupported boot. This has worked well for 8 years now. I you're worried about the rear passengers putting their weight on the boot you can build a support box that transfers the weight to the bottom of the well, which can take the load, but I haven't found it necessary.

John Friese
67 White
67 Red

 

[Canadian four amphs]

There is a better way to fold top! lift this info for club newsletter too!
I did not invent this, I think Ray Handloser showed us at Fl. shows.
1.fold rear window out over engine area.
2. lower top after undoing zippers and snaps win2 people.
3. as top goes down into boot pull loose material from midsectionb out over enging area,
4. flatten material out on engine area and fold corner in on a triangle then lay over conv. top frame.
5.cover both sides of clear rear window with soft cloth(towel) could sew into a type of pillow cover. and lay over top,
6. install tonna cover.

If top is put down this way the hardware is kept futher down in the boot.
when I sit on rear area I always sit on a lifejacket(270lbs)
one of my customers has a foam and vynal covered boad they sit across the back to sit on.

BTW.. New tops in Black or White Std material are on sale for $325.00
I can get them is lots of different colours for a few $ more or go with the new cloth style tops ""WOW"".. there about $200 more but are they nice, and easyer to put up and down too.

GORD SOUTER

 

[jfriese]

Hi,

This is related to Gords comments.

Eight years ago I installed new tops on my two cars. A retired auto upholstery guy stopped by and gave me the best tip ever for installing these tops: he told me to not worry about drooping strap material or the top being super smooth. Instead install it just slightly loose and when it's all done (including the side snaps) run a clothing steamer around the underside of the top on the INSIDE of the car. Both the top and the drooping straps instantly tightened right up and the top has been perfect ever since. Perhaps because of this, I have not had any trouble with the tops shrinking over time even though I leave them down for many months at a time. You need one of those stand up kind of steamers, rather than the little hand held things, to get enough steam to do the job, but I think they can be rented if you don't know a seamstress you can borrow one from.

I also realized that the rear window, since it normally lays on the bottom of the well with the top laying on it, was sure to scratch up immediately, so I went to a fabric store and bought the softest material I could find (flannel) and had it sewn into a pillow case type of thing which I slide the window into before laying it down in the well. All these years later the window is as clear as new.

One more tip: be sure to have the top centered side to side because when you install the side snaps it's important that the top material doesn't hang down too far, otherwise the raised windows will hit the edge and eventually damage it. If it's not centered, both at the back and front ends, you will have trouble with this.

John Friese
67 White
67 Red