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1983 Outrage T-Top
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ContinuousWave Whaler Moderated Discussion Areas
ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
1983 Outrage T-Top
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| Author | Topic: 1983 Outrage T-Top |
| summersalt |
posted 08-12-2008 09:49 AM ET (US)  
What's the prevailing wisdom on adding a cloth t-top to an '83 Outrage and mounting it to the SuperConsole v. deck & console? We're in need of some shade, extra storage & rod holders amongst other things. Also want to mount the GPS to it, cop style spot light and spreader lights as well . . . I'm toying with the idea of purchasing a collapsible model but would like to keep it as close to "whaler classic" as possible while satisfying our needs. Are there any Whaler OEM manufacturers who could fabricate something like this for a decent price? THANKS |
| Casco Bay Outrage |
posted 08-12-2008 12:34 PM ET (US)
Summer - There is a 70/30 split of opinion on T-Tops for Outrage 18's. For those that do it, bolt to the floor and to the console. Having backer plates larger than the tube diameter helps spread the loads.
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| Blackduck |
posted 08-12-2008 12:59 PM ET (US)
I don't really like them at all. They do provide shade, but at what cost, both appearance and functionality. I must admit, where I am, I couldn't even get under the bridge to get to the ocean. I am one of those guys who buys someone's boat and the first thing I do is remove all of the old improvements to get the boat back to the original BW design. |
| summersalt |
posted 08-12-2008 01:37 PM ET (US)
thanks for the responses. this is for a 25' - not an 18. when we cross Long Island Sound at cruising speed - 35 mph - we don't have any protection from the sun. figured that a t-top would take care of that as we never have height clearence issues . . . |
| Casco Bay Outrage |
posted 08-12-2008 02:23 PM ET (US)
Sure, for a 25, go for it. I wouldn't hesitate for a minute. Most of the members I know who own a 22 or 25 have a T-Top. |
| humboldt jim |
posted 08-12-2008 02:23 PM ET (US)
I have a stainless steel/hard top on my 22 outrage, primarily added to give me a strong base for radar dome and to move my electronics up into an attached box. Up side of the addition is it has served to meet my initial needs and then some....additional rod holders, moves the antennas up and out of the way, plus I had a custom "phone booth enclosure" built to provide a wind/weather break. Now the down side... added weight, lower performance, reduced stability. 12 x 12 Bennett trim tabs improved but did not eliminate the stability issue. Bottom line- I am happy with the t-top add-on. |
| summersalt |
posted 08-12-2008 03:35 PM ET (US)
i'm guessing that the cloth t-top and keeping most of the elctronics where they are (for now) will not impact performance or stability too much. thanks for all the feedback |
| srax6 |
posted 08-14-2008 10:55 PM ET (US)
Jim, what specifically are the stability issues you have seen with your t-top addition. I have a 22 Outrage with a hard t-top and would agree that the speed does suffer a bit but I have not noticed any significant difference in the ride. Overall I am very happy with the t-top thus far and would recommend one for sure on a 25. Steve |
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