T Top

Bryan A. · #1 10-20-2005, 03:27 PM

Snookered - So does yours fold or aleast removable? If so I'd Like to see some shots. I had somebody describe a top to me once that was set up like a parallelogram and had gas shock on the legs which somehow would fold forward and lock back into position with the help of the gas shocks. No pics though. I'll keep any eye out for any designs.

Capt Chuck · #2 10-20-2005, 05:15 PM

I talked with Bobby Birdsall (Birdsall Marine) in West palm Bch a few years back about a folding T-Top config as I was also in the same situation. As I remember he said it could be done but there was so many more cons than pros that it was cost prohibited. Example: Rattle, excessive movement because there was no support above the hinges, corrosion at joints, Strength at the hinged areas was cut in half, Wiring was a nightmare as you just about eliminated antennas, lights and a radio boxes etc. up top. I'm sure there was more issues raised but I gave up on the idea...... [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Snookerd · #3 10-20-2005, 06:47 PM

Bryan-My current t-top is a fixed top, that is missing the whole hard top system. Back in 2003 I saw a picture of one on CSC that was real solid looking-(heavy elbow joints with all wiring wrapped/covered exiting the lower pipe around the elbow joint and reentering the pipe above the elbow. Type in "folding" in the search on CSC and look for 1/15/2003 under t-top. The old link to the photo is not working anymore. I gave up on the idea with my old 18SF, but Don Battin @ Pipe Dreams Marine said no prob. back then. Capt. Chuck- I think Birdsall is producing a folding top come to think of it. I think that Bobby Birsall is one of the most respected fabricators anywhere on this topic.