posted 04-23-2006 09:04 AM ET (US)            

I recommend against installation of a T-Top constructed from stainless steel on a 170 MONTAUK because:

posted 04-23-2006 08:36 PM ET (US)         

http://www.morganmarine.net/Customs/170%20Montauk/DSCF0014.JPG
http://www.morganmarine.net/Fishingcustoms.htm#170%20Montauk

This was rigged by 'Nydealer'

Here is a link to the company that makes the T-seat.

http://www.ggschmitt.com/

posted 04-24-2006 11:36 PM ET (US)            

Also the T Seat looks great also.

I must say after running this 170 in the atlantic ocean for 4 years this boat has incredible sideways stability! I can not imagine wind on an apropriate sized T Top being a problem at all.

Thanks for the responses guys!!

posted 05-01-2006 07:54 AM ET (US)            

I have posted on here before about T-tops and , while I didn't end up buying a 170, I have a VERY similar Australian 'Ocean Whaler 565' centre console to which I have attached a s/s FOLDING T-top.

I had a requirement to be able to store the boat on its trailer in a conventional garage and to be able to drop the T-top for a big reduction in fuel costs on Australian long distance travelling.

I have sent thru to your email some pictures of the T-top and mounting. The T-top is fabricated in light gauge s/s - but reasonable diameter tubes. Top weight is definitely not a problem and I have mounted a Navman "Quickfit" VHF aerial for my Navman 7200 and a flat antena for my Navman 6500 Trackfish - works beautifully even game fishing in heavy water 20nm off the coast. I can at least play big mackeral around the boat on light gear...

I'm sorry I can't post onto the site as I do not know how !
Be pleased to email photos to anyone interested

posted 05-01-2006 08:30 AM ET (US)            

BigJohn - 20 knots and big seas are standard here off the coast - my s/s T-top is 1.5 x 1.8m (sorry - 6' x 5') and is laced onto the T-top s/s frame. The profile to the wind is almost horizontal and, unless you install side curtains, there is very little resistance at all and no 'sail' or 'parachute' effect.

posted 06-06-2008 08:03 AM ET (US)         

Over $1700 (with shipping) and then you'll give me $90 to ship my existing OEM Bimini to you (to probably sell on ebay)?

So, almost $1500 Plus $125 shipping Plus GIVE you my $1300 Bimini and pay to ship it to you..... we're back at full price plus my Bimini. Might be a good deal if my Bimini was an old dilapidated piece of crap.

Although, Price seems fair for T-Top and what would I do with my Bimini once I have new top installed.... I don't think so.

posted 06-07-2008 12:11 PM ET (US)         

Still do not like the idea of taking $90 off if only I would send them my existing Bimini but nothing says you have to accept that offer.

looking forward to the pics.

posted 06-08-2008 07:59 AM ET (US)            

They commented that:
[qoute]If you want one, we really don't want your old Bimini back - just take a picture of it on the boat before you remove it, and then a picture with the T-Topless and send us those! Give the old Bimini to charity or put it on a porch swing please![/quote]

I'm waiting for their reply after being updated on the difference between a 17 and 170. The differenced in cc railing is significant. The older 17 seems more robust.

posted 06-09-2008 07:57 AM ET (US)            

Yes, we have this on the Montauk 17, and a Montauk 170 coming (we think it will be the same.

We're very interested in your feedback.

Pictures and details are at:
http://www.rnr-marine.com/index_Montauk.html

We really don't want a lot of old Bimini tops, so we've changed the Bimini Trade-In to a Bimini Rebate - before/after pictures are all we need. We would prefer that these old tops go to charity (neighbor kid?) or something, but that's up to you ...

posted 06-11-2008 10:20 PM ET (US)            

We have to generate new CNC programs for our bender, and order longer tubing, but the top will be PERFECT for a Montauk!

We'll post pictures on www.Montauk-T-Topless.com as soon as we have them!

posted 06-12-2008 10:03 AM ET (US)            

The top we redesigned (www.Montauk-T-Topless.com) to fit the fits nice, but didn't allow for the use of the front rod holders (front of the console), so we developed a new bend to program and manufacture, but it will require longer stock tubing.

The new top will actually be set back about 9 inches further and allow Montauk owners to use those front 6 rod holders, and provide more shade when sitting in the back fishing!

The rear legs can be mounted to the console, or as we discovered yesterday, will mount very nicely to the upper part of the swinging seat! (We'll get our web guy to upload pix).

posted 06-12-2008 10:35 AM ET (US)         

Would we be able to determine our own best location for mounting (console or seat)? And would it be able to transition between the two (in other words - would mounting be a one or the other choice at purchase or an option for user discretion where the rear legs mount and be 'moveable' to the other location at any time).

Also 'upper part of swinging seat' - does this mean we take the pad off the back rest, or cut holes in the cushion in order to mount to the horizontal tubing - or does it mount to the exposed portion of the vertical tubing between seat and back rest?

posted 06-12-2008 10:43 AM ET (US)            

We simply moved the rear legs mounts to the stainless verticals on the swinging seat, so the seat works normall!

posted 06-12-2008 10:52 AM ET (US)         

Thanks for the quick reply.

posted 06-12-2008 11:15 AM ET (US)            

http://www.Montauk-T-Topless.html

These legs will be longer, and have 2 bends to allow the seat to flip, and provide clearance to walk along the side, but will be universal to either mount on the console (a bit lower than shown now), or to the front or rear seat verticals.

posted 06-12-2008 11:24 AM ET (US)         

http://www.Montauk-T-Topless.com

or

http://www.rnr-marine.com/index_Montauk.html

posted 06-12-2008 03:31 PM ET (US)            

www.Montauk-T-Topless.com

posted 07-12-2008 06:40 PM ET (US)            

Check it out at
http://www.RNR-marine.com/images/Montauk-17_T-Topless_Drawing_Up.jpg
http://www.RNR-marine.com/images/Montauk-17_T-Topless_Drawing_Down.jpg
http://www.Montauk-T-Topless.com

posted 02-16-2009 04:59 PM ET (US)            

a) move the top back about 10 inches to allow the rod holders on the front of the Montauk's console to be used when the top is up, and

b) increase head clearance about 4 inches.

If you don't have front rod holders on your 170's console, we recommend the standard Medium width T-Topless.

If you have (and want to use) the rod holders on the front of your 170's console, or if you're very tall (6'3" or more), we recommend the Montauk-T-Topless for your Montauk-170.

Hope this makes sense ...

posted 02-16-2009 07:04 PM ET (US)         

Have you done any studies on the maximum windspeed that the tops can withstand? I ask in reference to both on water and about towing recommendations - would the Tops be able to be kept up for highway, or should they be put down and would it be best if it were then strapped down for towing so as to prevent bouncing or the wind from catching beneath and lifting them up?

Also, have you done any study into how covers fit, with the Tops in the down position - any pictures?

posted 02-16-2009 10:18 PM ET (US)            

http://rnr-marine.com/images/T-Topless-67mph.JPG

The standard Montauk boat Cover fits right over the rail with the top down (Montauk 17 again).

http://rnr-marine.com/images/Montauk-17-T-Topless_Partial-Cover.JPG
http://rnr-marine.com/images/Montauk-17-T-Topless_Under-Cover_Rear-Qtr.JPG

posted 02-17-2009 02:14 PM ET (US)         

Fixed Hyperlinks:

Speed:

http://rnr-marine.com/images/T-Topless-67mph.JPG

Cover:

http://rnr-marine.com/images/Montauk-17-T-Topless_Partial-Cover.JPG
http://rnr-marine.com/images/Montauk-17-T-Topless_Under-Cover_Rear-Qtr. JPG

Max

posted 02-22-2009 08:59 AM ET (US)            

Sorry, we don't have pix of the Montauk-T-Topless on a 06-07 Dauntless 180 yet ...

You can use either a Medium T-Topless or the Montauk-T-Topless if you want to use the front console-mounted rod holders with the top up.

Bluemax,

posted 01-03-2010 08:42 AM ET (US)            

That seems like a heck of amount of money considering their are 2 manufactures of T-Tops that have current sale prices under $1000.00

posted 01-03-2010 09:22 AM ET (US)            

For that price I could get an OEM sun top or one from M.J. Mills and Co. with change to spare. Heck, I could get a Mills sun top and RPS cover for that price. The sun top solutions fold down to the front bow area leaving the walkable deck space intact. The T-Topless folds down into the walkable bow deckspace from the photos I've seen.

I would pay $375 USD, "tops" for the T-Topless solution.

posted 01-03-2010 10:17 PM ET (US)            

The top shown does is not the usual Wm. J. Mills & Co. Flying Top for a Boston Whaler boat. If a Wm. J. Mills & Co. Flying Top were shown as a comparison, it would not have the many undesirable features which are pointed out on the vendor's website as being a fault of the "standard" Bimini top on a Boston Whaler. The arrangement of the straps and the ability of the top to fold into the bow are completely different on an actual factory-supplied Mills Flying Top than as shown on the vendor's website.

posted 01-04-2010 08:06 AM ET (US)            

http://www.strykerttops.com/

posted 01-04-2010 11:12 AM ET (US)         

1) I did not realize that the cooling effect of being in the shade (i.e. being out of the sun) loses its effectiveness over the short distance of inches - I always thought shade was shade, either you're in the shade or you're in the sun - an elm provides as effective shade as a shrub only you don't have to lay on the ground to get in the shade and out of the sun with the elm - for that matter I would think that having your head closer to the canvas that is providing you shade would transfer more of the heat from the sun's rays directly to your cranium and that you may want some room between your head and the canvas to allow for some of that radiated heat to dissipate before reaching you -

2) The links provided by Feejer do not make for an accurate comparison to the T-Topless. We are talking about a rail-mountable, collapsible T-Top for a 17/170 Montauk, not a full-frame deck mounted T-Top suitable for larger boats. You can not truly compare a full-frame T-Top to a rail mountable version whose design lends itself more to the suitability for smaller boats like the 17/170 Montauks or 16 Dauntless. Larger boats that have the space above deck and wood below the deck that can accommodate mounting a full frame T-Top are not what this thread or product is addressing here.

One of the drawbacks of mounting a full-frame T-Top on the 17/170 Montauk was the lack of available space between the console and gunwales to allow for safe (uninhibited) movement - another drawback of mounting the full-frame T-Top was quite possibly changing the center of gravity on the smaller boats, thus making them inherently more dangerous on the water than the sun-safe comfort and convenience they provided. Possibly using lighter-weight materials has solved that aspect if the safety concern is truly justified (I've seen a few smaller boats such as the Montauk and McKee Craft with full frame T-Tops and none of them seemed in jeapordy of turtle-ing so I do not know).

I believe this product is designed to address the gap between the look, benefits and features of a full-frame T-Top on the smaller boats that can not accommodate installing a full frame T-Top. I believe it is a simple option for smaller boat owners.

Say what you will about the perceived overall construction and the price, that's fair opinionated game I think. For me the idea is still viable but the price is not (I also think the way the fishmaster top folds is better for stowing when covering the boat, although the T-Topless looks like it might keep the water from pooling in the bow should your cover not be custom fitted).

posted 01-04-2010 02:55 PM ET (US)         

I see the Fishmaster is on sale for $995 along with FREE shipping and a Free storage pack (I just re-checked the site for info and inadvertently closed the browser window that listed the sale ending 12/31/09. I re-opened less than 20 seconds later and the sale end date had change to 1/31/10).

posted 03-29-2010 11:41 PM ET (US)            

Seen photo of it on a 17' montauk (older version) and seen a photo of it on a 18'dauntless. Doesn't look to bad.

posted 04-05-2010 08:45 PM ET (US)            

Add to that labor, overhead and profit, I'd say those individuals suggesting $400 and lower are being unrealistic.

posted 04-13-2010 09:18 AM ET (US)            

We also have a Perko light, 10' of Ancor 14-2 jacketed, tinned copper wire, (6) Ancor heat shrink crimp connectors, 50' of nylon lacing cord, 10 orbitally welded TIG welds and a 6.5'x4.5'x3' shipping box.

The frame itself is bent from a single 21' piece of type 304L stainless steel thick-wall tubing using our Ercolina CNC bender for accuracy and consistency.

We put a lot of thought and time into these tops, and hold our quality to the highest standards. We welcome anyone in the Carolinas area to come by and we'll take you for a ride to see how they perform.

posted 10-07-2010 07:03 PM ET (US)            

And yes, we will have a package price with the Montauk-T-Topless, windshield and side curtains.

posted 12-04-2010 09:15 AM ET (US)            

The windshield will lace tightly to the Montauk-T-Topless' frame, and the small side curtains will zip to this windshield and lace to the rear legs. We added a flap to the bottom of the windshield and the side curtains to fill the gap between the grab rail and the Montauk's existing windshield. This will keep as much air out as possible.

The full size side curtains will simply zip onto the edge of the small side curtains for extra protection from the elements. The clear vinyl will extend down about level with the boat's side rails, with Sunbrella(r) going down to floor level.

http://rnr-marine.com/Montauk-T-Topless.shtml#Survey

All will be Sunbrella(r) marine canvas and 30gauge clear vinyl.

posted 12-04-2010 11:44 AM ET (US)            

Standard (Small) Side Curtains:
http://rnr-marine.com/Images/ Montauk-T-Topless-Proposed-Windshield-Standard-Curtains_600x332.jpg

posted 12-04-2010 12:28 PM ET (US)            

I have no idea (I'm sure), but it might help retail cost to reduce the amount of clear plastic used and increase the use of canvas on the lower portion of the larger, full-length side curtain.

Congrats on what looks to be a nice additional feature to your product line.

posted 12-12-2010 02:09 PM ET (US)            

I sent you an email. We're still working on the official pricing. Its a pretty complex piece, and we're working to keep the cost down.

posted 12-19-2011 11:29 AM ET (US)            

For more protection, zip on the Gull-Wings:
http://rnr-marine.com/Montauk-T-Topless.shtml#Gull-Wings .

posted 09-14-2012 08:48 AM ET (US)            

Spray-Shield and Gull-Wings on the Montauk-T-Topless feels nice!

[img]http://rnr-marine.com/images/Montauk-T-Topless_Spray-Shield_Gull-Wings_DSC03932_425x319.jpg[/img]
http://rnr-marine.com/images/ Montauk-T-Topless_Spray-Shield_Gull-Wings_DSC03932_425x319.jpg