Aft deck hardtop weight limit

[buster53]

Ok, I have a 356 aft cabin with a hardtop over the aft deck. Some years ago, I had a 3807, also with an aft deck hardtop. Owner's manual for both boats said they were not built to support any kind of weight.
I desparately need to get on my hardtop for a good cleaning and even wax compounding. The hardtop is so chaulkey that every time it rains, I get white streaks running down my isenglass and it looks like crap.
So, will my hardtop support my 200 lbs body to do this work?

[tomschauer]

The hard top on my 355 supports my 195lbs without issue. You should be fine.

[buster53]

QR_BBPOST The hard top on my 355 supports my 195lbs without issue. You should be fine.

Do you have the same problem I have? Excessive chalking on the hardtop?

[tomschauer]

Yes, the sides of the boat are in the shade at least part of the day, but the hard top is flat, up high and in the sun all day, so it needs waxed more than any other part of the boat.

[g36]

I have a 405 which has basically the same hard top I weigh more than you and have been on mine several times you should have no issues getting on the top. I compounded mine and waxed it couple years ago and waxed it again this year and it helps a lot being able to hose of bugs after overnights with anchor light on.

[RGrew176]

If you want some extra protection you could always make yourself a support beam to fit under the aft top when you are up there. I saw a guy doing just that on his boat this past summer. Sorry, no pics of what it looked like.

[buster53]

Thanks guys. Rick, good idea for the support beam. I might give that a try.

[Tireless]

I had a 356, and now the 44 CMY with this hardtop. I weigh 260 LBS, dry by the way, and I have never had an issue going up there to clean or maintenance.

A very reputable wax guy in our area, suggested painting the hardtops with fibreglass paint. This way it will never oxidize and run down the side of your canvass. I have seen it done and I looks no different than a waxed fibreglass top does . How often do you wax it anyway. If it has been left for a while, it can be a bitch to bring it up.

Just a thought.

Greg

[1992330aftcabin]

I have a 330 and I go on mine all the time to wax and clean the windows. I weigh 250 and the 330 has supports at the aft of the hard top. I believe your supports are further forward.

[abcoker]

I've had 10 people up on there on my 1993 350 Aft Cabin. Never a problem