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  Opinion of T-Top on 17 OUTRAGE

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Author Topic:   Opinion of T-Top on 17 OUTRAGE
Jholmes105 posted 08-16-2014 08:55 AM ET (US)   Profile for Jholmes105   Send Email to Jholmes105  
I am trying to decide between a Bimini Top and a T-Top for the Outrage 17. What do you think? Does the install of a T-Top, an dll-aluminum with E-Box and Rocket Launcher, detract or attract to the value of the boat? Totally a loaded question, but thought I would stir it up :)

Thanks

JP

jimh posted 08-17-2014 06:07 AM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
I leave the aesthetics to you. I worry about the mechanical. A T-Top can add very high wind loading. The cockpit deck has no suitably reinforced attachment points that can handle the attachment of the base for the T-Top.
contender posted 08-17-2014 04:52 PM ET (US)     Profile for contender  Send Email to contender     
Jim is correct, a t top in a high wind will make the boat rocky and you can not take it down, Does not provide as much shade as the Bimini. The 17 really does not have a lot of good places to screw it to as well. The Bimini Top is cheaper covers more area and can be up or down. I have an older 17. I made my Bimini Top wider to fit on the gunnel, On the gunnel I put a track for the top to slide forward or back. With the top down the top slides forward up to the norman pin so I can tie it down. By placing the Bimini Top on the gunnel this gives you enought room to stand under it.
Phil T posted 08-18-2014 06:27 PM ET (US)     Profile for Phil T  Send Email to Phil T     
You need to clarify which Outrage 17 you have. There are two variants and they are not the same.

The 1990-1995 Outrage 17 I
https://plus.google.com/photos/110044231333731607664/albums/ 5012256911091858001/5474260425071603202?banner=pwa& pid=5474260425071603202&oid=110044231333731607664

1996-1999 Outrage 17 II.

http://charleston-sc.allboatlistings.com/29407/yachts/ 1996-17-boston-whaler-17-outrage-great-shape_17207467.html

I and many other Outrage 17 I owners would NOT install a T-Top due to the narrow beam and decreased lateral stability. The Outrage 17 II is a good candidate.

Jholmes105 posted 08-18-2014 08:48 PM ET (US)     Profile for Jholmes105  Send Email to Jholmes105     
Sorry about that... I do have the newer 1997 Outrage II

I have seen some photos of Outrage II 's with the top installed and have to admit it looks like it should have been there from the beginning! I really like the options a T-Top would add for the boat!

Let me hear thoughts now that we know the model is the II?

Thanks.....

JP

PeteB88 posted 08-19-2014 02:51 PM ET (US)     Profile for PeteB88  Send Email to PeteB88     
Bimini - in fact, I got mine from Phil. I can put it up, take it down or take it off. We don't use it much (almost always on the boat) but damn nice to have at times.
Phil T posted 08-20-2014 10:50 AM ET (US)     Profile for Phil T  Send Email to Phil T     
What are you looking for the top to do for you? Storage? Rain, wind or sun protection?

What is the boat's primary use? Is off season storage an issue (if you get a t-top) Do you trailer?

How much can you afford. Cheap bimini is ~$300, OEM quaility is ~ $900. T-top's start at ~$700 and run past $2500.

Jerry Townsend posted 08-20-2014 12:30 PM ET (US)     Profile for Jerry Townsend  Send Email to Jerry Townsend     
JP - I have the 17 Outrage II as well. When I bought mine in 1996, I gave some thought to putting on a T-top as I wanted some protection from rain, sun and occassionally, some snow. I contacted Whaler and some other outfit requesting information and their thoughts. Whaler sent me some sketches and a wood location diagram. The other outfit sent me some sketches - but I don't recall the name of the other outfit contacted.

The Whaler sketches showed the T-top attached to the deck near the rear of the console and to the console near the front of the console. But, as the lifting and drag wind loads on a T-top can be significant, particularly when towing, I was a bit skeptical as the deck is attached to the boat via wood screws around the pheriphery. This waryness stems from there being no requirement to design the attachment of the deck for a lifting/upward load as would be imparted with a T-top.

I gave thought to designing and building one that the top part (the "canopy") could be removed and laid on the deck while towing. I didn't get around to building it. Another thought would be to re-engineer the deck attachment to the boat. The deck is strong enough, but I was wary of the wood screws.

You might contact Whaler and get their current thoughts. I will send you the sketches I have if you want - need your address though. ---- Jerry/Idaho

EJO posted 08-20-2014 04:31 PM ET (US)     Profile for EJO  Send Email to EJO     
Both www.fishmaster.com and www.strykerttops.com make very nice foldable T-tops for whalers
WhalerTherapy posted 08-20-2014 07:21 PM ET (US)     Profile for WhalerTherapy  Send Email to WhalerTherapy     
To each his own. My wife insists on a T-top to stay out of the sun so I added a Stryker. Very light, inexpensive and easy to install. Solid as a rock with ability to attach to console if desired. I didn't need to as it doesn't rattle at all. They also make a fold down version for those worried about towing or garage height.

https://1997outrage17.shutterfly.com/pictures#n_5

Jholmes105 posted 08-20-2014 08:47 PM ET (US)     Profile for Jholmes105  Send Email to Jholmes105     
Phil.. All of the above when it comes to storage rain and sun protection and thought it might be nice at some point for some eisenglass? I also am a Kiteboarder and am hopefully going to use the boat for some boat only Kite spots, so a lightweight aluminum board rack on one side to carry two kiteboards would be awesome...BTW Kiteboards are VERY-LIGHTWEIGHT!

Jerry
Thanks for the offer on the drawings and I may take you up on the offer! Are they paper version or digital?

Whaler Therapy... Yes, we spoke on the phone and it was pictures of your boat that made me drool over the possibility of adding a Stryker Top!

I really like the looks and functionality of the T-Top and flexibility of a Bimini....what a decision! Either one will require some holes to be drilled, which I dislike either way, but....

Does anybody think a T-Top would add or subtract value to a Whaler or is it a wash?

Thanks

JP

Perry posted 08-20-2014 10:18 PM ET (US)     Profile for Perry  Send Email to Perry     
Securing the feet to the deck is usually a difficult task for boats that were not designed for a t-top.
EJO posted 08-21-2014 01:46 PM ET (US)     Profile for EJO  Send Email to EJO     
JP Looking at WhalerTherapy's set up I think it adds value what a great looking set-up on that Outrage 17.
Jerry Townsend posted 08-21-2014 06:19 PM ET (US)     Profile for Jerry Townsend  Send Email to Jerry Townsend     
JP -- The sketches are on paper - 8 1/2 X 11.

Regarding your question on a T-top impacting the price of your boat - I think a T-top would add value, particularly if it was build to fold down or could be partially disassembled. And to me, a T-top is a bonus, as I like to fish - and have some protection from the sun and weather. --- Jerry/Idaho

jcdawg83 posted 08-23-2014 04:25 PM ET (US)     Profile for jcdawg83    
I have a fishmaster t-top on a classic Montauk and I love it. It mounts to the floor and the console and is solid as a rock. I have no issues with wind lift and it trailers easily at 60 mph. On a classic Montauk, the top does raise the center of gravity a little bit and makes the boat a little more tipsy, but not enough to be a problem. I got the storage bag that mounts under the top and it provides a great place to put life jackets, throw cushion, some dry clothes, rain gear, a hat and a lot of the other "stuff" you need in a boat and a Montauk really doesn't have a good place for. I put four rod holders along the rear and that really helps get rods out of the way when not in use. With the rocket launcher rod holder on the T-top and the rail and RPS rod holders, I can carry up to 8 rods and they are all in a holder.

It really makes the boat look much larger too. I always get comments at the ramp or marina about how much people like the top. I have never run into another Montauk with a T-top, but I know there are some out there.

The fishmaster top is very reasonably priced, folds down if you need it to, and is very well made. The shade and rain protection are great. I would definitely recommend one.

Rotten posted 09-02-2014 03:50 PM ET (US)     Profile for Rotten  Send Email to Rotten     
I have a 1991 17 Outrage I and put a nice T Top on it and its Fine. It's mounted to the deck on the front legs and to the console on the rear sides and front. I have a real hard time posting pictures on this site. But if you search my screen name you might find a pic or two of my rig. If not, go to Floridasportsman.com and search my screen name there and you can see it. I had the top custom built for 1600.00 and wouldnt trade it for the world. 10000 times better than that Bimini top. It has a fabric top that can be cut off in an emergency (Real High Winds) but I dont see that happening any time soon. I say " Go For It"
Phil T posted 09-02-2014 05:01 PM ET (US)     Profile for Phil T  Send Email to Phil T     
I did the searches for you all.

Here are his photos from a 2013 thread:

LINK 1

LINK 2

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