From sprayhood to fixed wheelhouse

Well, I see the last post here was way back in August 2015, and now it's 2016. Shocking, eh?

So I thought rather than just getting on with things (as usual, sometimes with, alas, a bodge!) I'd ask the community for their wisdom first. My question: does anyone have any insight on converting from a canvas sprayhood to a 'ridged' replacement. By insight, I mean material used, construction methodology, tips/hints, costs (if done by an expert/trade) and so on.

The logic behind this consideration is that, first, the cost of fabric replacement is relatively expensive. The best made one, including metalwork and a lovely yellow colour (upsmile) is nearly £1.3K (http://www.cjmarine.co.uk/p/366/heavenly-twins-mk-4a-sprayhood). Without new metal work, it is till rather a lot of money (waiting for quotes on that one), especially in the context of how relatively fragile they are, and the maintenance they need over the years.

So, my (mad) idea, partly inspired by John Holloway's recent article in our newsletter on his glasswork on his hull/keel (nice one John), is as follows. Basically, cover the existing old cover (it's still in place – and is a very good aerodynamic and water shedding shape) with peel ply (does clingfilm really work??) and then laminate it with glass, using sheet foam as a strengthening layer (which should bend with the curves), and use foam stringers as needed. What do you think? If it doesn't work, nothing lost (apart from the cost of materials if I do it myself) and experience gained?

Perhaps the risk is more around a question of glassfibre competency and skills on my part? I've filled in through the hull holes in Gee Bee (quite well if I might say so), I've repaired glassfibre canoes…but that's about it. Maybe the size of this job requires a lot more experience. But hey, if we thought that for most things, we'd never tackle any of this stuff?

The second rationale, it that a ridged structure is a great place to allow the fixing of solar panels and in-port fabric extension covers for the rest of the cockpit. It can also have it's colour changed quite easily if you are into 'pimping' your ride, so to speak – we need more of this, IMHO – too many drab colours (and blues) afloat!!

So, there's the starter for 10. Has anyone done anything like this? I don't want to add a lot of weight, hence the view to a composite type. That said, I've not worked out the weight that would actually be added. I am based in Gosport, so the final thing is does anyone know of any good, reliable locally-based glassfibre people, who maybe aren't VAT registered (but that is just a bonus)?

Any views? Any discussion points for me to mull over? Anyone done this? Or is it just forget the challenge, and fork out for a fabric sprayhood?

Nick