Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

I was just wondering if any one has ever put a hardtop on Tsunami. Since I bought the boat it was something that I'd been planning to do but the more I look the more I realize I don't see any others with one. Is there any reason not to do it?

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Chris Downey has one of the nicest Hardtops I have seen on his Sceptre:

Water Rat on the right side of the raft up:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...festboats4.jpg

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Cool, Hopefully, he'll chime in. I'd love to see some other pics and get an idea if he's had any problems with the addiotnal weight or balance. I'd been planning one all along and was thinking about it on the train this morning when I realized that I'd never seen one. Then I thought "Crap, what if there's a reason no one's got one".

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Here is a laced top, I know you stated hard top but with todays core materials Hard tops can be very light.


http://www.classicseacraft.com/ronsceptre/ron1.jpg

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

As long as it can handle it, I think I'd prefer a hard top. I don't want to have to mess with lacing new canvas down the road once it starts to fade or tear. I'm looking to keep it pretty modestly sized too so I don't think it should be a problem. I like the idea of a hardtop that can support a few pounds too. Sooner or later someone is going to climb up there for something.

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Are there more pic's of Chris Downey's boat? That looks like a real nice set up.

strick

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Strick-

not yet but soon, I hope

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

before

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...e/fb6848be.jpg

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

that's a clean boat. What is that on top of the windscreen?

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Abe,
If you're asking about Chris Downey's boat, that is the clear curtain between the bimini and windshield.

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

My boat came with this hardtop
http://www.revcmpsys.com/fishing/picts/boat/11.jpg
http://www.revcmpsys.com/fishing/picts/boat/3_33.jpg

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Hello to All,

My apologies for being slow to respond, but between my shcedule and being a computer illiterate, its been awhile since I've been on the board. Thank you to Jason for geting me back on track. I promise to post some more pictures of my half-tower/hardtop as soon as I can figure how to do it. In the meantime, feel free to ask any questions if I can be of any help. The way I see it from looking through your old posts, Strick, you should be able to knock something like mine out in a weekend or two.

Chris

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

John B's top is pretty much what I was hoping to add so it's good to see it'll work out...when I get to it.

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Okay, Chris Downey sent me some pics of his boat. THIS is how a hardtop should look! :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...res2005017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...res2005009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...res2005027.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...res2005005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...res2005031.jpg

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Sweeet! ;)

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

chris thanks for sending us those pics. that is a real work of art. I'm drooling. That boat is something to be proud of.

strick

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Chris,
What are the front panels made out of ?? Strataglass or an acrylic ?

That is one of the nicest !! That bow shot looks serious

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Wow, That is amazing!

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Thank you ScottM for posting these pictures for me. And thank you everyone for the compliments; fortunately my camera work is hiding about 28 years worth of dings. Hope this helps with hardtop ideas and please feel free to ask any questions if I can be of help.

Chris

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Scott,
Sorry, just noticed your question about the panels. The front 3 are Barrett Bonded (very similar to EZ2CY i.e. hard acrylic) and the side panels are Strataglass.

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

What's the material underneath the top?

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

1973Tsunami,

The top is a molded fiberglass top (glass on all sides)with a balsa core. It was sprayed with Awlgrip snow white (forget the actual color name), but on the underside area I had them spray it SeaFoam Green, to help cut down on glare.

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

So what do you think about the Barrett Bonded ( they now go by Rainier ?? )
Took a good look at them at a boat show and they looked nice ... with their very clean stitchless design. They were giving EZ2CY some flack, but thats sales for ya and the EZ2CY booth was 50 feet away!! ... I was expecting them to be less than EZ2CY. But I got a "casual" quote from a local installer and they were higher !!!

I thought I was told the polycarbonate is tougher in regards to impact. Also I was told they are a bit delicate with regards to scuffing. Then if it scratches it cant be polished out. I dont quite get it, they seem pretty tough. Do you have any issues with them scratching from day to day use i.e. cleaning ??

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Nice top!!! I wish I didn't have to go under a bridge on the way out. Any chance that thing folds? :D

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Scott,
My main reason for using Barrett vs. EZ2CY is that my canvas guy (Ken's Canvas, Warren, RI) preferred the Barrett, but I think I remember him saying part of that was issues in dealing with the manufacturers themselves. I've been on a number of boats with both and I see little if any difference between the two. Scratching is not an issue as I either leave them in place all the time or they are hinged at the top and can be swung up and attached to hardware mounted in the hardtop above the helm area. Oh yeah, and wash them VERY carefully.

Bryan A,
I wish. Limits me a little bit. The outriggers are easy enough to drop for bridges (Rupp tournaments w/ tower mounts) and the light mast can be taken down (2 screws) for the rare times I trailer it.

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

Tsunami …my apologies for jumping into your original thread

Thanks Chris

We have factory authorized dealer/installers of both within 20 minutes of the boat. I wish there was only one, it would make my decision much easier. I just need one panel, the front one, and it will stay mounted all the time. Both will fabricate with Stamoid; the difference is in the bonding or stitching of the panel. Both use C tracks and flaps to hide zippers and tracks. EZ seems to be more popular however Barrett seems to be making its mark. Again thanks for the info.

Re: Hard Top on a Tsunami?
 

no problem - I'm learning.