Alternative Wet Weather Hood for Can Am
Discussion
The main hood poppers on to the existing perspex door side screen when the additional side screens are not in use. This is to keep the hood taught and has to be done once you are sat inside, if you're intending to drive with the hood up. It is easy enough to put your arm out and popper it on.
Note when the additional side screens are fitted, the side screen uses this last popper and the main hood velcro's over the top to make a seal.
Note when the additional side screens are fitted, the side screen uses this last popper and the main hood velcro's over the top to make a seal.
This is how it fits together, to drive completely enclosed, or to leave parked up overnight.
FINAL PHOTOS OF HOW THE CAR LOOKS AESTHETICALLY WITH HOOD UP WILL FOLLOW LATER TODAY....
.... & I THINK YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT JUST HOW LITTLE THE FINAL COST WAS TO HAVE THIS MADE AND FITTED! ....
FINAL PHOTOS OF HOW THE CAR LOOKS AESTHETICALLY WITH HOOD UP WILL FOLLOW LATER TODAY....
.... & I THINK YOU'LL BE AMAZED AT JUST HOW LITTLE THE FINAL COST WAS TO HAVE THIS MADE AND FITTED! ....
I did ask my chap if he would do some more, as they are already drawing interest, but he is so overwhelmed with boats, he unfortunately just hasn't the time. I've endeavoured to post as many photos here so others can copy the design - you might even be able to tweak and improve it still!. In any case, each Ultima is individual and tolerances may vary very slightly, as does each driver and therefore the lower height of the main hood may need to personalised to suit.
I'm more than happy to answer anyones questions and give assistance where I can.
If you are interested in duplicating this hood, I would suggest contacting a couple of local(ish) boat canopy/canvas makers, or similar tradespeople to see if they are capable of giving you a quote.
I'm more than happy to answer anyones questions and give assistance where I can.
If you are interested in duplicating this hood, I would suggest contacting a couple of local(ish) boat canopy/canvas makers, or similar tradespeople to see if they are capable of giving you a quote.
Handsome Can AM by the way.
Looks very nice, That's a true bikini top. It gave me an idea….The first completed pic has an optical illusion in that it blends in with your garage, you can barely make out the top, but the screen around the roll bar is very visible. What if… you keep a separate part always on the roll bar with the window and attached the bikini to that. You cure that wind problem & sound out of the intake from entering the cockpit. A rear windscreen-zipper attached & the snaps are sewn in the material. Much easier to stow too-who knew?
Again, how about auto glass insert inside the roll bar, rubber sealed like any glass, black or CF sides/wrap around the roll bar/snaps on front & back (a stubby hard top), then the bikini top
Now I know why the rear hoop on the Can Am is slightly bent forward compared to the straight roll bar on the GTR - to allow air intake with a soft top
Looks very nice, That's a true bikini top. It gave me an idea….The first completed pic has an optical illusion in that it blends in with your garage, you can barely make out the top, but the screen around the roll bar is very visible. What if… you keep a separate part always on the roll bar with the window and attached the bikini to that. You cure that wind problem & sound out of the intake from entering the cockpit. A rear windscreen-zipper attached & the snaps are sewn in the material. Much easier to stow too-who knew?
Again, how about auto glass insert inside the roll bar, rubber sealed like any glass, black or CF sides/wrap around the roll bar/snaps on front & back (a stubby hard top), then the bikini top
Now I know why the rear hoop on the Can Am is slightly bent forward compared to the straight roll bar on the GTR - to allow air intake with a soft top
Edited by The Italian on Saturday 12th July 07:13
Edited by The Italian on Saturday 12th July 07:20
You've actually got a possible valid idea there - keeping the rear screen in place around the roll bar with detachable top, might just stop some of the heat being drawn into the cockpit. However, I must admit I prefer the hood off in its entirety.
This is very much a suck-it-and-see project, although I'm pretty confident it's going to exceed the job that I want it to do.
This is very much a suck-it-and-see project, although I'm pretty confident it's going to exceed the job that I want it to do.
Interesting, Ive been thinking about a hard top too and my thoughts were.... A 4mm lexan/perspex screen attached to the roll bar that could be left permanently if you wanted, with then a hardtop design of some description. But it sounds like that would work with a soft top too. It would make sense to make a hard top first, then design one of these around it.
Lexan would be a great idea too(and le$$), but the "look" of real glass is a professional finish. Can't imagine the cost of safety auto glass insert ?? The visibility and no worry of scratching would be great. The hard top idea is nice, but not optional during a run in the sun.
I know I'm a brutal hairy Italian guy, but I always imagined "what it's like to be a hot looking babe (Ultima) and then pull my top off in an onlooking crowd just waiting to see what's underneath".
I know I'm a brutal hairy Italian guy, but I always imagined "what it's like to be a hot looking babe (Ultima) and then pull my top off in an onlooking crowd just waiting to see what's underneath".
Took the Can Am for it's first test drive with the hood up today for about 25 miles of motorway driving. I had only the main hood up, with the additional side screens off. Perfect - no noise or flapping, in fact better that I thought. It was no problem at a steady 70mph and I'm sure it would be good to considerably more. Visibility was unimpaired and with the white lining, you almost forget its there.
I reckon you would hardly ever use the additional screens, even in rain. The wind doesn't blow in at all. You get a slight depression on the side edges above 60mph, so in heavy rain a few drips may come in, but there is a drip channel sewn around the edge.
Another interesting fact - cooling was unaffected and if anything, it helped by a few degrees! The 25 miles with it up, the temp gauge read a steady 75 degrees at more or less constant 70mph. The return journey with the hood off, the temp gauge read a steady 78/80 degrees. Perhaps the shape of the hood forces more air into the clam intake, as there's probably less turbulence.
I reckon you would hardly ever use the additional screens, even in rain. The wind doesn't blow in at all. You get a slight depression on the side edges above 60mph, so in heavy rain a few drips may come in, but there is a drip channel sewn around the edge.
Another interesting fact - cooling was unaffected and if anything, it helped by a few degrees! The 25 miles with it up, the temp gauge read a steady 75 degrees at more or less constant 70mph. The return journey with the hood off, the temp gauge read a steady 78/80 degrees. Perhaps the shape of the hood forces more air into the clam intake, as there's probably less turbulence.
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