Having the WOOD LOCATION DIAGRAM... I am wondering...

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  Having the WOOD LOCATION DIAGRAM... I am wondering...

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Author Topic:   Having the WOOD LOCATION DIAGRAM... I am wondering...

Holy Cow posted 07-23-2003 05:04 PM ET (US)
who and if anyone has ever installed a "T" TOP over the Console? I found an Aluminum Tee Top builder. He wants $1,700.00 for a schedule 40 anodized 2" tube system to be mounted to the forward and rear corners of the console at the floor. The Diagram shows no support at the rear of the console and only one 1/2" x 4" x 7" Plywood piece at the left front and a PHENOLIC 1/2" x 4" x 8" at the right front side! There is no wood or PHENOLIC blocks at the rear of the console! I was wondering if it may be necessary to have any further outlooker supports tied into the console? This is for the 170 Montauk! HC
Holy Cow posted 07-23-2003 05:09 PM ET (US)
What do you think about putting a tower arrangement mounting it directly to the top gunwale rails of the 170 Montauk? I did a 23' Seacraft like that and the only thing is the four supports are obstuctions to fish around, but it does work as a great spotting tower for fishing. The set up would be at least seven feet off the deck. HC
Jerry Townsend posted 07-23-2003 05:49 PM ET (US)
Holy Cow - I have an Outrage and do not have a Montauk - but recall that the aft end of the T-top is normally or typically loaded in compression, therefore the deck would provide sufficient support. The front supports are typically loaded in tension so some good attachment is necessary for those supports.
Not having access to a Montauk, I don't know anything about the deck. On my Outrage, the deck is about 1 inch thick. When I talked with BW personnel about their T-top drawings and my thoughts of raising the deck and installing metal backing plates (instead of relying on the console/deck attachment) met with their approval. This may well be overkill - as BW mounts their T-tops to the console.
I may be wrong, but I believe that BW does not have a T-Top for the Montauk - and therefore, the console/deck attachment may not be designed for those loads. Check into this.
Incidently, I have never built the T-top - probably for a variety of reasons - have to get another mooring cover - would prefer trailering the boat without the T-top up, et.al. I would still like to have a "portable" T-Top where I could easily set it up and take it down - but haven't designed it yet. ------ Jerry/Idaho
Holy Cow posted 07-23-2003 07:29 PM ET (US)
Good Stuff Jerry... When I did my 23 Seacraft, I put a hinge on the thigh high wrap around that came up from the four supports to a hoop round area above the walk platform. It could swing to the front. I put Rupp rod holders at the rear and it was 6' 5" up the platform. I looked at the Wood block diagram and did see wood mounts at the top of the Gunwale where the s.s. rails are. I do know that 23 Seacraft 1976 haul was indestructable with twin 200 Mercs'... She would fly through anything. Had to hold on to the tower when rocking underway at 5000 rpms... She was fast... HC
jimh posted 07-30-2003 09:13 AM ET (US)
Although T-Tops are popular on many center console boats these days, on Boston Whaler boats it is problematic to install one if the deck area does not contain embedded reinforcements specifically designed to support the loads.
At moderate speeds on the water, the T-Top can generate a great deal of loading. In particular, if the boat become airborn, the T-Top will have a great deal of sail area and resist coming back down. The boat plunges down, while the top pulls out of the floor.
At highway towing speeds, the wind loading is very high.
My personal opinion: it will ruin the resale value. I would never buy a Whaler hull hacked up with a T-Top, especially one that is only a year old as in the case of a Montauk 170.

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Author	Topic: Having the WOOD LOCATION DIAGRAM... I am wondering...
Holy Cow	posted 07-23-2003 05:04 PM ET (US) who and if anyone has ever installed a "T" TOP over the Console? I found an Aluminum Tee Top builder. He wants $1,700.00 for a schedule 40 anodized 2" tube system to be mounted to the forward and rear corners of the console at the floor. The Diagram shows no support at the rear of the console and only one 1/2" x 4" x 7" Plywood piece at the left front and a PHENOLIC 1/2" x 4" x 8" at the right front side! There is no wood or PHENOLIC blocks at the rear of the console! I was wondering if it may be necessary to have any further outlooker supports tied into the console? This is for the 170 Montauk! HC
Holy Cow	posted 07-23-2003 05:09 PM ET (US) What do you think about putting a tower arrangement mounting it directly to the top gunwale rails of the 170 Montauk? I did a 23' Seacraft like that and the only thing is the four supports are obstuctions to fish around, but it does work as a great spotting tower for fishing. The set up would be at least seven feet off the deck. HC
Jerry Townsend	posted 07-23-2003 05:49 PM ET (US) Holy Cow - I have an Outrage and do not have a Montauk - but recall that the aft end of the T-top is normally or typically loaded in compression, therefore the deck would provide sufficient support. The front supports are typically loaded in tension so some good attachment is necessary for those supports. Not having access to a Montauk, I don't know anything about the deck. On my Outrage, the deck is about 1 inch thick. When I talked with BW personnel about their T-top drawings and my thoughts of raising the deck and installing metal backing plates (instead of relying on the console/deck attachment) met with their approval. This may well be overkill - as BW mounts their T-tops to the console. I may be wrong, but I believe that BW does not have a T-Top for the Montauk - and therefore, the console/deck attachment may not be designed for those loads. Check into this. Incidently, I have never built the T-top - probably for a variety of reasons - have to get another mooring cover - would prefer trailering the boat without the T-top up, et.al. I would still like to have a "portable" T-Top where I could easily set it up and take it down - but haven't designed it yet. ------ Jerry/Idaho
Holy Cow	posted 07-23-2003 07:29 PM ET (US) Good Stuff Jerry... When I did my 23 Seacraft, I put a hinge on the thigh high wrap around that came up from the four supports to a hoop round area above the walk platform. It could swing to the front. I put Rupp rod holders at the rear and it was 6' 5" up the platform. I looked at the Wood block diagram and did see wood mounts at the top of the Gunwale where the s.s. rails are. I do know that 23 Seacraft 1976 haul was indestructable with twin 200 Mercs'... She would fly through anything. Had to hold on to the tower when rocking underway at 5000 rpms... She was fast... HC
jimh	posted 07-30-2003 09:13 AM ET (US) Although T-Tops are popular on many center console boats these days, on Boston Whaler boats it is problematic to install one if the deck area does not contain embedded reinforcements specifically designed to support the loads. At moderate speeds on the water, the T-Top can generate a great deal of loading. In particular, if the boat become airborn, the T-Top will have a great deal of sail area and resist coming back down. The boat plunges down, while the top pulls out of the floor. At highway towing speeds, the wind loading is very high. My personal opinion: it will ruin the resale value. I would never buy a Whaler hull hacked up with a T-Top, especially one that is only a year old as in the case of a Montauk 170.