You have two choices; buy [a top for a MONTAUK 17] from Mills or have one custom made by a local canvas shop that's close to you.
Examining the image, it looks like the pivot point on the hull allows for the canvas to slid forward and fold down just forward of the bow rail assembly. I don't know if that's a standard Mills setup or not. It looks decent. There could be other ways to secure the top that would be out of the way
Accessing the anchor locker would not be a problem, just move what looks like a cushion over the locker, and run the line under the canvas to the anchor line cleat.
The Mills canvas set for that model could consist of the bimini, forward shelter, side curtains, and aft curtain. Two design problems with their offering:
- the Mills [flying top] is small. It covers the width of the boat, but is short in length than other tops; not much protection in the rain or sun.
- the Mills forward shelter, once up, is behind the bow rail assembly. Pretty small, and allows all the rain and spray to collect into the boat.
The advantage with Mills: you could order it, install it quickly, and your done.
Having a Bimini top fabricated locally depends on your location.
Are there any good canvas shops around?
If so, check them out. They may have pictures of completed projects, maybe even a website showing them. If you are tall enough where you might have to duck under a Mills set, they can take that into consideration.
We had a forward shelter fabricated that attached to the gunwales, went up over the bow rail to an upside down "U" piece of framework that attached to the gunwales, about where the rear of the console was. The "U" was held up by two straight rails that ran from the center of the bow rail to the curves at the "U". Gave us lots of headroom (had also fabricated a sleeping platform forward of the console the fit flush up to the anchor locker. Another story).
If you decide to go local, couple of pointers:
- See what the price difference between aluminum and stainless frame tubing. A good shop should offer both.
- Same for the fittings; price difference between plastic and stainless end caps, hinges, etc.
- If you are considering the sliding track type affair, there's another way. Purchase two set of this quick release hinge base.
You could install [a hinge quick release base] where the bottom of the frame needs to attach to the gunwale, and a second [quick release hinge base] for storage. No aluminum track to get dented, dirty or be a toe catcher.
[Using a quick release hinge base] makes putting up and taking down our bimini very, very easy. They even have quick release fittings for the straps.
For our first custom canvas the outfitter used 3/4-inch-diameter aluminum tubing and plastic fittings. After three years, the plastic started cracking. By that time he was out of business.
The second custom canvas was made by a well known (in my region, S/E Michigan) provider that used 1-inch-diameter stainless steel tubing and metal fittings. It's coming up on 20 years and while the canvas will probably be replaced this winter, due to the wear along the threaded seams, the framework has held well.
Regards - Don