23 Scpetre Hardtops
 

I know there's pictures and questions all over here about this topic. But this is a little more specific question. If you had a hardtop built for your 23 Sceptre, how much did it cost you?

$4,500 in March 1992. That price also included the fold down crows nest tower. No upper station included. But that price also included a full set of Eisenglass custom curtains

I can tell you for fact you will not get one that is well built for less than $5k installed. The cost has skyrocketed over the last 6-8 years.

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of. $4-5,000 for a decent one is what I was thinking. Makes me a little sick to think of that cost alone. Almost to the point of just forget it and buy a hull with hard top already on it.

I won't discourage you by telling what I spent but am happy to share details of designing my arch/hardtop and what I like/dislike and what I would do differently. Pictures of my top are in the 23' Gallery section under Chris Downey's 23 Sceptre. Feel free to ask away here or in a PM. It was the best thing I have done to the boat (so far).

Ahh, Shepherd's on Clearwater Pass.... Those were the days!
She used to raise Cobia, Grouper, Kings and Mangrove Snapper on the West Florida Shelf. Now miles from the NaCL H2O, she's lucky to have the blood of a Shell Cracker or Stump Knocker on her decks. It's as sad as the Orkas at Sea World!
Where's my "Born Free" 8 track tape?

Yep, you nailed it!! At Sheppard's Circa 1997

I really like my soft top with the rolled edge. I can't imagine my sled without it.

Yeah I'm not opposed to the canvas. Just that all the ones I've experienced leak when it gets rained on, so I'd prefer a fiberglass top. Did you price both and how much less was the canvas?

Per some of the comments, I agree the top makes the entire boat. My Shamrock had a $3500 (according to the PO) hardtop on it when I bought the boat. Only paid $5500 for the boat. The amount of shade they give on a cuddy/WA is what makes me go cuddy over cc.

With the quality sumbrella it doesn't leak at first but you have to spray it once a year to keep it waterproof. To me it's more about the shade. Cheaper? I'm sure there is a reasonable difference depending on the composition of the hard top.