T - Tops

[tuffy]

Hey fellow Raiders, I am thinking about fitting a T-Top to my centre console and I have been having a look at the kit version available at Bias.

Has anyone had any experience with these units? I would like to know how stable they are, and also how they fit around the controls which are mounted on the side of the console.

My console is the same as the one pictured and the T-Top is the one I am considering.

Any feedback would be great.

Cheers,

Tuffy.

[dunc333]

hi tuffy my mate has the near same its now about 10 years old on a plate hull its still good he has had to have the top alli bars welded a few times and he also learnt to tie with rope the bow end roof bars forward when towing over 80kms an hour as they bent backwards since then no probs hope that helps cheers dunc333

[cheap charlie]

It does look a little under enginered..

What sort of investment for the kit?

[squidboy]

Tuffy,

You might want to speak to Forumla 1's Red Bull team. With a wing that big you might experience some further lift and boat performance. I cant have you going faster than my Suzzy, so you will have to submit your plans with the council and then get approval from me.

Looks good, I am a bit worried about how it may get in your way, and further more, I like boat space, so would a good investment in a great hat, wind jacket and raincoat be enough?

Marco

[tuffy]

Yeah, well, my thoughts were to try and get like a kind of para-sail effect, so when it gets really choppy I can just speed up and skim over the rough water. Good idea?

any way Squidboy, don't you talk - I'm not the one with all the Go-karts!!

And Cheap Charlie, about $360 all up.

[mattwf]

hey tuffy

i have one of these fitted to my cc. my throttle lever just clears the support poles so no problems there.

my only concern is that they are not very stiff up top. i do have the optional rod holders fitted and i find that it does wobble around a fair bit when going over any waves/chop/boat wash etc.

it never feels likes its going to break or anything, its just annoying.

i will be stiffening mine up with some corner brackets or cross bracing very soon as i will not be storing my boat under the carport anymore which means i dont need to have the ttop removable.

the higher u can mount the clamps for the support posts the stronger it will be.

i agree with dunc333 and never travel more than 80km without having a support rope at the front. i dont trust it enough.

when i towed it on freeway after purchasing my boat the original canopy tore to shreds - it was pretty worn tho. i replaced it and havent had a problem since.

it is def great for shade in summer and keeping the rain off but water does seep through the fabric in heavy downpours. i much prefer it to having nothing at all. and i reckon its pretty good for the price.

there is nothing else out there on the market. only other option is a custom made one but the price skyrockets!!!!

matt.

[Marlin01]

Tuffy,

After fitting one of these cheaper T-Tops I finished up fabricating my own which was

*much stronger

*gave me more rod storage

*gave me a better height platform for electronics mounting

*got antenna's and outrigger bases off the gunwhales and out of the way

*kept all elctronics dry (three radio's , sounder and GPS's)

Also gave us something solid to hang on to when travelling.

I would think it would be worth $5-800 to have fabricated.

The shelter you achieve from these small canvas's is negligable (I know mine always cast a shadow where it was useless) and again was useless for rain protection.

Worth a look

Over the last ten years I have found this set up to be extremely practicat for inshore and offshore sport and gamefishing along with bottom bouncing and cant think of anything to make it more practical.

Cheers

Marlin

[ray67]

hi all

i got one of these and am taking it off pretty flimsy wobbles around a bit its ok for a bit of shade im thinking of a getting custom one made up or none at all yet to decide but it wont be there in summer

[tuffy]

hi all

i got one of these and am taking it off pretty flimsy wobbles around a bit its ok for a bit of shade im thinking of a getting custom one made up or none at all yet to decide but it wont be there in summer

What are you going to do with it when you take it off, Rainman?

Tuffy

[idolz]

I fitted one of these to my centre console,,, Yes they are flimsy,,,, I strengthened mine up,,, i put a plate of aluminium across the two upright poles to mount my outboard control box (on the left side 2 poles),, i put another 2 wide aluminium thick strips above this one each side to mount my nav lights to, I put a perspex screen on the front of it,,,, and I ran another 2 long strips from the front of the top(near where the rope holding the canvas) down on an angle downwards going across and attached to the front upright pole and then attaching at the rear upright pole(near where the bend is),, All alloy was riveted with large pop rivets,,, It is now very sturdy,,,,