CONTINUOUSWAVE

Before picking up a Montauk 17 in a few weeks I want to explore getting a top for sunny days. I will be using the Montauk 17 primarily for fishing, so I want a top that [stows] away easily. I also don’t want to break the bank. I am okay with used. What do you suggest?

I suggest the Wm. J. Mills & Co. Flying Top. Finding one used would be unusual. They tend to last about 20-years, or more. And it's not like anyone sells one because they found something better.

The arrangement of supports was specifically designed to not interfere with angling from the aft part of the cockpit.

When Boston Whaler introduced the MONTAUK in 1961, Wm. J. Mills & Co. was the only canvas maker that the factory would offer as an option.

What is the cost? It is not listed on the website

I suggest you contact the vendor to get the price. About all I can say about the prices charged by Wm. J. Mills & Co. is that the prices are probably going to be higher that you might expect.

Boat canvas is an artisanal product; it is not a mass-produced machine-made product. The quality of the product is very much affected by the artisan creating it.

On my old 1982 Montauk.

JIMP's images also show the Forward Shelter.

Hey Jim--are those straps at the aft end of the frame the original straps? I was expecting to see a short tubular leg holding up the rear frame with the straps going almost vertically down to the gunwale.

Hi jimh -

Those straps leading aft were original. The white straps leading forward are off the old 1981 19' Aquasport Osprey (they became available when Dad bought new straps for the Aquasport).

There were no solid legs holding the aft bow in place. You see the solid legs "all the time" with newer boats.

The bimini, being high and narrow, had a tendency to wobble athwartships, thus the lines coming down to the shepherd's crook had to be tight.

Both the bimini and forward shelter lay flat inside the bow rail. That's Coast Guard Base Kodiak in the background of the picture.

JimP

Great pictures. What is the wooden box on the starboard gunwale near the stern ?

That is a lockable rod box. I kept my paddle in it.

I also vote Mills if you can swing the price. My 1996 Montauk still has the original Mills bimini top and it's in excellent shape after all these years. On that year it folds up and stows in front of the bow rail, 100% out of the way.

I have a nice Mills Sun Top that I would like to sell.
The top is available in Maryland for half the price of new.

A new bimini from Mills is in excess of $1000. It is very high quality materials and hardware and will last for decades.

Carver makes bimini tops for less that are of good quality.
https://dealerguide.carvercovers.com/models/2120?searching=both

You should select 12" sliders so that you can slide the top forward and lay down forward and stow flatoutside the rails.