t top or no t top!!

[Rainmaker]

I have a T-top on my 23, I love it. I have a rocket launcher up there, along with my riggers, some lights, and assortment of antennas. I can fish 360 degrees with nothing in the way of the action. Prior to the 23, I ran a 19' maycraft and I put a Bimini T top on it. This was a low cost way to get a little shade and still leave it removable so I could get under the bridges or cruise without the top. The top was pretty nice when running. I had a pair of small outriggers that were attached to it (an option on the top) along with a couple of rod holders that I would only put light spinning tackle in. For the small boat and my desire to go under a couple of low bridges in the flats it was the perfect solution.

The only issue I had with it was that you MUST roll up the canvas before trailering. The extra wind load from the tow vehicle would have torn it apart (I never tried it but I was told this up front). Never had any issues while running the boat though.

Here is a web site you can look at with some more information.

http://www.bimiteetop.com/

[evknot0127]

yeah i was looking at the atlantic towers t tops...i would def like to have the rocket launchers and antennas and stuff up top and also have the phone booth enclosure for when it gets snotty out...has anyone had problems with the t top being like a sail when running in windy conditions or trying to drift when bottom fishing when its windy??

[pelican]

Originally Posted by evknot0127

yeah i was looking at the atlantic towers t tops...i would def like to have the rocket launchers and antennas and stuff up top and also have the phone booth enclosure for when it gets snotty out...has anyone had problems with the t top being like a sail when running in windy conditions or trying to drift when bottom fishing when its windy??

do want to side track here...but...

that atlantic t - top is junk ! that thing is a waste of money...make the smart play - take the boat to a guy who builds tops and towers,have a top made for the boat - get a fiberglass "skin",avoid the canvas top...a quality top,it will have antenna plates,to mount both the vhf and the gps antennas - and areas to mount spreader lites - and plates to mount top mounted riggers and a radar antenna...

get a quality enclosure made - from a quality company - stay away from the bargain basement - thy're usually made from clear that's like saran wrap...you want strataglass for the clear...a good canvas shop - they will have experience in making an enclosure

will the top act as a sail ? NO WAY !

here's another tip - stay away from the electronics box - unless you enjoy a stiff neck,from looking up at the nav equipment - you want your nav equip in your "line of site"...

running wires up and down the tubes is simple - piece of string and a big shop vac - that's how it's done...

sorry for the side track - but - i hate to see owners make a bad mistake with their boat...

[DonV]

Amen Jim!!! I totally agree. However the electronics box is quite usable for me. It has my main DSC VHF radio, CD player/radio, an old Garmin GPS as backup and a backup VHF (without DSC). These are things I don't need to look at very often. The primary Raymarine GPS/recorder is on the console and easy to see.

[evknot0127]

thanks pelican and donV i really appreciate the honesty!! however as for an electronics box all of my electronics are already flush mounted into my console so if i was to purchase the box it would basically just be used as storage but i believe the t-bags are a better bargain for that anyways. So you guys dont think that i will have any weight issues or the boat ride different because of the top? and do you guys know any good places to go to get this done? i live in delaware. any price ideas for a good top for my boat??

[htillman]

I would have a bag made and not buy a tbag. The one I purchased was flimsy, the zipper broke and I finally removed it and had one made that fit snuggly between the rails. I use my electronics box for storage and it works great for that purpose.