Yancie was most helpful and offered a variety of solutions at varying costs (easily affordable fix, but not a long term solution, up to a great price on a new top altogether). After conversing with my partner in the boat, my father, we decided that the new top was the way to go, given Yancie's pricing and the fact that he would guarantee the work for as long as we owned the boat.
Even still, a new Ttop is not a cheap endeavor so we agreed to do some of the work, outside of the fabrication, ourselves (dismounting and remounting electonics box, rewiring/mounting lights/antennae, lacing new canvas, etc) to save a little on labor costs, allowing us to include a great leaning post with rod holders and under seat storage to the package at a great price.
Given the sudden notice to schedule building a new top altogether, Yancie said he could promise its completion within two weeks allowing to have it back by Memorial Day weekend. His work was completed a week ahead of schedule and we picked the boat up exactly one week after leaving it with him. This top is remarkably strong and stable and is very professionally done. My hat is off to Yancie and the guys at Gulf Coast Fabricators. Thanks for the Great Work!!
and sorry for the delay in posting. Naturally,
the weather has not been completely conducive to us finishing our part of the work, so as weather permits we complete a little more each day, and decide to change a thing or two else on the boat while we do it. Once completed I will update with the pictures I was hoping to have by now. 
