T-top size

mlofton8 · #1 10-06-2003, 10:12 PM

Redoing a '76 20SF and it's about time to start looking for a t-top, I've noticed most standard tops are about 5'x7', Is that a good size considering that the inside is only about 6' wide? Thanks in advance. ml

Mark · #2 10-06-2003, 10:39 PM

I personally find the standard 5x7' top to be too big on the 20', particularly if you still have the forward casting deck in place: when you step up/down off that raised deck with those big tops, you have a great opportunity to bang your head on the t-top.

I had an 18' with a 3'x6' top that worked out pretty well. If your leaning post has the capability to accept rods, make sure the top does not extend back so far as to prevent the rods from being stored in the leaning post [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

My 20' had a top that was 6'9" long by 4'10" wide when I bought it and that seemed all right with the original console. I'm going to be having a slightly smaller top built for my 20' in the near future to go with a smaller console and will probably cut up Foam-Core to make a dummy top to find the size that most suits me. If you can find a shop willing to do custom sizes, you may want to make a top out of cardboard to get a feel for the size that you think you want.

PipeDreamsMarine · #3 10-07-2003, 07:51 AM

I custom build all of my tops to fit the boat. I size the top to fit the needs of the owner. 5x7 is a big top for a 20. Now if you want to enclose it on all 4 sides to the gunnels it will work out fine. If you drift fish alot and fish off of the sides then you want a smaller top, so your not setting the hook and wacking the top. 4x6 or 4x7 I feel would work out nice for you boat. I like Marks idea about making a card board pattern and a couple of 2x4 clamped to the console will help give you a good idea of what work best for you.

P.S it's only 13 hour ride from GA.. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

mlofton8 · #4 10-07-2003, 04:39 PM

Pipedream, thanks for the input, Although if I'm gonna ride for 13hrs. I'm headin in the other direction and ending up in Key West [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] , Don't want anything to do with New Jersey in the Winter [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

jimmy lane · #5 10-08-2003, 12:14 AM

yeah mike, when you get that rig ready, come on down and see me. I am realllly close to finishing mine

gw204 · #6 10-10-2003, 10:03 AM

Don, what size top do you think you will recommend for my 20' Grady? It's a bit bigger than a 20' SeaCraft w/ a LOA of 20'4" and a beam of 8' w/ a beast of a console.

I do mostly trolling and would eventually like to have a full enclosure made. But I would also like to have the flexibility to cast on occasion. However, my overhead cast is pure crap but I deadly accurate throwing sidearm. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

The boat also doubles as a family entertainer so the more shade it produces, the more my wife will not complain.

W/out seeing the boat...yet....what do you think? Have you ever done a top for one of the old Grady center consoles?

Looking forward to that first weekend in Nov.!! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ October 10, 2003, 09:04 AM: Message edited by: Brian Miller ]