23 Sceptre hard-top/radar arch

[jobu]

I am toying with the idea of an arch or a hard top for my 23 Sceptre...does anyone have any good pics(or links to pics)? also any cons with bow heavy ride?
Thanks,
Joe

[BigLew]

Take a look at Chris Downey's boat on www.classicseacraft.com's home page under 23' boats. He lives on the south shore here in MA and is not hard to get a hold of on the phone. He can probably give you some insight into the "bow heavy" questions. His hardtop is as nice as any I have seen.

I have also been thinking about the same thing, though I'm also thinking about an arch /soft top combination to maintain the option to "let the sunshine in" on some of the nice days.

(If you can't locate a phone number, let me know by PM.)

[JohnB]

Below is a picture of my top. IMHO, especially if you have an outboard, try to keep the top as light as possible, and don't put a big heavy swinging I-beam of a radar antenae up there. Since this picture was taken, I put a small JRC dome up top, and I doubt it weighs more than 20 pounds. A heavy unit up there will make it rock back an forth, especially at rest. Just my outriggers up there, in a beam sea make it roll a little.

[Water Rat]

Jobu,

Thought I heard my name being mentioned. Please feel free to ask me any questions and I'll back the advice on watching the weight - especially as to how high and forward any additional weight will be put on the boat. That said, I am very happy with mine and it has really improved how we can use the boat.
Chris

[jobu]

Thanks guys...both of your boats look awesome. I am definately interested in this project...but my first project will be to add a bracket. My boat is a little bow heavy, especially at rest(doesn't drain properly). I removed some iron weights that were starting to delam...and it's an OB so I think moving the motor back will fulcrum more weight aft. When I do have the hard top made, I will take your advice and keep it minimal, no electronics box or extras. I just wand outriggers and spreader lights but they will be back further. I have been talking to the people at Fastec in plymouth and might even go with an arch with a forward soft top but not to sure how it will look.
input?
joe

[Water Rat]

Prior to my hardtop, I had the radar arch you saw in the pictures with a bimini and three sided isinglass (sp.?) enclosure. The top itself was made out of white sunbrella, and the bow system was designed to allow it to be folded up and stored along the radar arch, assuming you would do this in good weather.

I will look for pictures of the former set-up to put up here. The advantages to it were the ability to strike it when you did not want it up, and the weight.
The downside, for me, was I never took it down and although good, I would get some leaks in the enclosure seams when running in rain/heavy seas. With the hardtop, the enclosure is on tracks and is much more watertight. I also went to EZ2CY vs. isinglass.

Everything is a compromise. Another thing with the hardtop, I put two small Lewmar hatches in the hardtop for ventilation and also my "disco" lights. Let me know if I can be of further help and I will look for some pictures of the old top (might even have it laying around somewhere).

[chaz]

I have a hard top with a tower but I don't know how to post pictures. as for the ride or being bow heavey I don,t know any different because it was on the boat when i bought it 5 years. Year to date it's the best riding boat i have ever owned. can someone help me with pictures. CHAZ

[jobu]

Thanks...it is now an aesthetic design problem for me...I like the idea of the light weight with the arch bimini combo but the hard top definately wins every other debate.
Chaz to post a picture go tho the main menu, click on SeaCraft Photos, the first thread tells you how...pretty well.

[Bigshrimpin]