T-top or not to T-top...

[ocuyler]

Gentlemen,

The 23CC is nearing completion and my current delemma has to do with the T-top. On my 21 Laguna, I installed a large Atlantic Towers T-top with a fiberglass top. I liked the look and size of the big top.



The problem came with trailering. The top acted as a wing and had a lot of lift. Ultimately, as it rocked back and forth in the wind, several of the welds on the frame failed and the most important welds ultimately broke completely when subjected to the occational airbourne slam (she was no SeaCraft).

First question: Is this poor workmanship, driving too fast, poor design or what?

Second question: Would the "drag" and "lift" be the case with a traditional canvas T-top that came with my 23?

Third question: From a trailing perspective, is a bimini a better idea.

I will be installing all of the electronics into the console and don't really need the electronics box, although it's nice. I like having the antennas on top, but can work around that too. Finally, the T-top reduces the choices of where I can park the boat inside. Last but not least, I would like to have a full mooring/trailering cover built and assume making one around the T-top is more difficult.

I'm sure a case could be made for forgoing a top altogether and wearing a hat and sun screen. I did this on the new Whaler this summer and was fine with it. But I wasn't spending a the whole day out there either...

Any comments?