posted 10-18-2014 12:02 AM ET (US)     

I put a T-Top [made by RNR Marine and called the MONTAUK SHADOW] on my 2006 Boston Whaler 170 Montauk. The T-Top construction seems good. It is stainless steel and Sunbrella canvas. The T-Top comes with stainless steel split-jaw clamps.

The [MONTAUK SHADOW T-Top by RNR Marine] attaches to the console and to the rear legs of the seat. I am able to move the seat back and forth and it does not affect the top. The seat in the back position is the most stable. There was some side to side sway on the rear legs, but I replaced the quick release pins with some wing nuts and washers and it reduced the sway considerably.

If you want [a T-Top for a Boston Whaler 170 MONTAUK that is] lightweight and can fold very low then [the MONTAUK SHADOW T-Top by RNR Marine] is it. If you want something very solid and bolted to the floor, go with something else.

ADVANTAGES:

--light weight, about 22 lbs

--lots of shade

--no holes to drill

--folds below windshield height

--can use front rod holders

--can add rod holders

DISADVANTAGES

--some side to side movement on rear legs

--back legs get can get in the way of fishing

--does make the boat feel a little smaller when moving around with rods and such

---when fully lowered, the canvas hits the rod holders on the front of the console and puts tension on the canvas and I'm afraid it might stretch out the canvas.

Overall I am quite happy with [the MONTAUK SHADOW T-Top from RNR Marine]. I have never been so comfortable running all day in the hot sun. It has definite worth for me.

I added a couple of rod holders and will probably add a few more. My radio antenna is not in the best position, and I need to remove ii when lowering the top to go in the garage.

Next up is building a vinyl windshield for the ride home.

posted 05-15-2015 01:26 PM ET (US)         

I used it a couple of times and the top was pretty wobbly. I had the rear legs attached to my seat cushion legs, which were a bit wobbly so that's probably not the top's fault. I added some washers and butterfly nuts to make it tighter and that helped a lot.

Another problem I had was binding of the front screw on the rail clamp. There is some kind of twisting going on when the top is folded down and it applies torque to the rail clamp. I had to cut off the screw and called the vendor to see if they could help me. At first he said he would send a clamp free of charge, but then I got an invoice for it. Oh well. I'm still waiting on the clamps to see if I can make this thing work. I do really want the shade and need to fold it down in the garage.