396 owners how do you clean this?

[650Guy]

Well, our off season is well on its way and all of us are working away at our winter projects getting ready for another fun filled summer ahead!

So my question to fellow 396 owners, how do you clean the roof of the upper aft cabin? I know you cannot stand or put weight on the roof, I'm pretty tightly packed in for storage, so latter next to me is pretty unlikely. So how do you all get that clean? even during the summer months? Last fall was my first season with the boat, and really had not come up with a great cleaning plan for that roof? don't know how to get up there? I know there are a lot of smart people out there, smarter than I, that have figured this out. Wondered if you could share your cleaning wisdom!

[tomschauer]

I weigh about 190 and my hard top doesn't flex at all when I'm on it cleaning and waxing.

[buster53]

Ok, I have a 356, which is the little brother to the 396.
About a month ago, I asked the same question because the owner's manual says not to put any weight up there. Anyway, I got several responses all saying the same...get up there and clean. It will support you.
One guy did suggest, just to be on the safe side, get a couple of 2x4's and use them as a post to give the roof some extra support.

[Midnightsun]

I get on top of mine all the time. Not the same model but none the less.

[650Guy]

Thank you all! Ok, sounds like a little field trip for me!

As the season is in full through, how do you wash it? its the most awkward place cause I cannot get a brush behind the window, and I can't get a hose to go around either.

[tomschauer]

I haven't been on a 396 in a bit but I believe its close to my 355. I open up the canvas between the radar arch and aft deck hard top and crawl out there with a soapy bucket and hose to clean it a few times per year. As it is pretty flat, pollen, dust , dirt etc, lays on there and runs down over your nice clean clear vinyl. If you keep the hard top clean, you don't have to clean the clear nearly as often.

[Tireless]

I have a 2006 Carver 44 CMY, which is the same boat as the 396, but with a cockpit. I weigh 260 Lbs and I go on mine to clean it all the time. Having said that, while on the hard, to wash it can get very slippery and there is a slope there. I where a fall harness. It is a long way up. I attach it to the Radome base. Better safe than sorry. I have also worn the harness while in the water as well, as if I go off the back or the side, I would land in the cockpit or the dock. You should be able to access the hardtop by unzipping the canvass at the radar arch and climb over. I have to use a ladder the get on my hard top, as I have a hardtop over my fly bridge.

[bud37]

Guys, I agree, probably pretty slippery...fall arrest a necessity. Even better idea, pay the marina to do that one section or get them to paint it, won't have to wax after that. Couldn't be that expensive. Maybe cleaning could be done with an extra long handled truck brush.

No sense injuring yourself over something only the birds see....Again, my opinion.

[mjk1040]

I put the admiral out there! She weighs a lot less than I do!
[image][/image] I wasn't kidding!

[650Guy]

I put the admiral out there! She weighs a lot less than I do!

Hahaha! I love this board! you guys are awesome! I think I have my plan, clean and wax the roof over the winter, and I feel safe that I'm not gonna fall through or damage it as long as I proceed with caution.

Come summer... I see how motivated I can get to cleaning...