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Author Topic:   T-Top

ron3637 posted 08-19-2002 12:33 PM ET (US)
How difficult is it to properly add a T-Top to a CC whaler in the 23 foot range. Also anyone have an idea how much a quality T-Top would cost including installatiion.
MilwaukeeWhaler posted 08-19-2002 01:43 PM ET (US)
For reference, my Whaler dealer (Twin Cities) quoted me just shy of $4,000 for a factory T-Top installed. On a 1995 Outrage 21.~mw
FLUKEDUKE posted 08-19-2002 05:02 PM ET (US)
ron,
If you really want to see what the market has to offer, find a CCA (Coastal Conservation Assoc.) member and snag a copy
of their publication, "Tide" magazine. Their
headquarterd in Tx. and the stuff they do on the gulf coast with tops and towers is just wild, especially on small boats. No intent to offend any BW purists but there's some nice other mousetraps out there.
By the way, for any fish heads listening, joining CCA is a great way to ensure your grandchildren will have fish to catch.
Sites: www.boekerindustries.com, www.specialtyalworks.com, www.topsntowers.com
tully_mars posted 08-19-2002 11:33 PM ET (US)
Find a custom Aluminum shop. They can easily build custom tops in the $2500-$3000 range on the high side, I have seen some nice tops be built for $1500-$2000. Shop around, factory isn't always the best as my "Factory" hard top from Whaler on my 23' Conquest is going to need some re-enforcing. Just make sure whoever does has a wood-locating diagram so they know where to mount the bases of the top on the boat.
Tully Mars
jimh posted 08-19-2002 11:59 PM ET (US)
To have custom work done that is top-quality is quite expensive. Just a radar arch can cost $4,000.
Personally I find T-Tops are not very useful.
They:
--create too much windage reducing speed
--can't be taken them down for trailering so you end up driving them around at 65-MPH on the highway which place huge stress on the hull mounts;
--can't be lowered for low bridges, either water or highway, or for doors on storage yard buildings on the trailer, or for gas station overhead obstrutions, etc.;
--add very significant weight, robbing speed
--aesthetically are frequently a problem and detract from the boat's appearance.
The appeal seems to be really for die-hard fisherman who might like to walk a line around a boat. I don't have any needs like that. Give me a good folding bimini top.
MCano posted 08-20-2002 01:29 AM ET (US)
Ron3637,
I have a stainless (SS) steel radar arch and bimini combination on my 22 OR Cuddy (Page 48 Cetacea). The cost of the arch alone (back in 1988) was over $3,000. I would not recommend an aluminum arch in a salt-water environment for the long haul. I would assume that a T-top constructed of SS would also not last as long as a SS one, but there are some downsides.
T-top and Radar Arch Pros:
 SS lasts and last
 Allows the mounting of Radar, Loran Antenna, Deck Lights, VHF Antenna, Masthead Light, Rod Holders
 Looks nice
Cons:
 SS is Costly
 SS is heavy
 Welds at select stress points have cracked with frequency
 Although SS, it still is another maintenance item
 Restricts fishing movement
Good Luck in your investigations.
Mario
reelescape1 posted 08-20-2002 02:49 PM ET (US)
I'm VERY satisfied with my t-top on my 22' and now wouldn't want anything but a t-top! I have the latest tide magazine, If you need something specific e-mail me.
David Ratusnik posted 08-20-2002 05:38 PM ET (US)
At resale, the t top clearly adds value. Probably specific to saltwater environs... Don't bother with ultra light junk t tops from the catalogs. .03 D
andygere posted 08-20-2002 06:21 PM ET (US)
As a sometimes fly fisherman, a T-top would be nothing but a nusiance to me. Less so for saltwater spin casting, but still in the way. My flying top is the least used piece of canvas on the boat, the dodger the most frequently used. In terms of staying out of the weather, the dodger offers more protection than a T-top ever would. For staying out of the sun a T-top is probably pretty nice.

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Author	Topic: T-Top
ron3637	posted 08-19-2002 12:33 PM ET (US) How difficult is it to properly add a T-Top to a CC whaler in the 23 foot range. Also anyone have an idea how much a quality T-Top would cost including installatiion.
MilwaukeeWhaler	posted 08-19-2002 01:43 PM ET (US) For reference, my Whaler dealer (Twin Cities) quoted me just shy of $4,000 for a factory T-Top installed. On a 1995 Outrage 21.~mw
FLUKEDUKE	posted 08-19-2002 05:02 PM ET (US) ron, If you really want to see what the market has to offer, find a CCA (Coastal Conservation Assoc.) member and snag a copy of their publication, "Tide" magazine. Their headquarterd in Tx. and the stuff they do on the gulf coast with tops and towers is just wild, especially on small boats. No intent to offend any BW purists but there's some nice other mousetraps out there. By the way, for any fish heads listening, joining CCA is a great way to ensure your grandchildren will have fish to catch. Sites: www.boekerindustries.com, www.specialtyalworks.com, www.topsntowers.com
tully_mars	posted 08-19-2002 11:33 PM ET (US) Find a custom Aluminum shop. They can easily build custom tops in the $2500-$3000 range on the high side, I have seen some nice tops be built for $1500-$2000. Shop around, factory isn't always the best as my "Factory" hard top from Whaler on my 23' Conquest is going to need some re-enforcing. Just make sure whoever does has a wood-locating diagram so they know where to mount the bases of the top on the boat. Tully Mars
jimh	posted 08-19-2002 11:59 PM ET (US) To have custom work done that is top-quality is quite expensive. Just a radar arch can cost $4,000. Personally I find T-Tops are not very useful. They: --create too much windage reducing speed --can't be taken them down for trailering so you end up driving them around at 65-MPH on the highway which place huge stress on the hull mounts; --can't be lowered for low bridges, either water or highway, or for doors on storage yard buildings on the trailer, or for gas station overhead obstrutions, etc.; --add very significant weight, robbing speed --aesthetically are frequently a problem and detract from the boat's appearance. The appeal seems to be really for die-hard fisherman who might like to walk a line around a boat. I don't have any needs like that. Give me a good folding bimini top.
MCano	posted 08-20-2002 01:29 AM ET (US) Ron3637, I have a stainless (SS) steel radar arch and bimini combination on my 22 OR Cuddy (Page 48 Cetacea). The cost of the arch alone (back in 1988) was over $3,000. I would not recommend an aluminum arch in a salt-water environment for the long haul. I would assume that a T-top constructed of SS would also not last as long as a SS one, but there are some downsides. T-top and Radar Arch Pros:  SS lasts and last  Allows the mounting of Radar, Loran Antenna, Deck Lights, VHF Antenna, Masthead Light, Rod Holders  Looks nice Cons:  SS is Costly  SS is heavy  Welds at select stress points have cracked with frequency  Although SS, it still is another maintenance item  Restricts fishing movement Good Luck in your investigations. Mario
reelescape1	posted 08-20-2002 02:49 PM ET (US) I'm VERY satisfied with my t-top on my 22' and now wouldn't want anything but a t-top! I have the latest tide magazine, If you need something specific e-mail me.
David Ratusnik	posted 08-20-2002 05:38 PM ET (US) At resale, the t top clearly adds value. Probably specific to saltwater environs... Don't bother with ultra light junk t tops from the catalogs. .03 D
andygere	posted 08-20-2002 06:21 PM ET (US) As a sometimes fly fisherman, a T-top would be nothing but a nusiance to me. Less so for saltwater spin casting, but still in the way. My flying top is the least used piece of canvas on the boat, the dodger the most frequently used. In terms of staying out of the weather, the dodger offers more protection than a T-top ever would. For staying out of the sun a T-top is probably pretty nice.