T Top

Post by **trout fisher** » July 10th, 2002, 1:49 pm

What's the smallest boat you would consider putting a t-top on. I saw a 17ft. cc the other day and it looked pretty good. I've got a 19 ft. cc and was thinking about adding one. I don't know why. I've got a bimini. Those tops just look awesome! Whatta ya'll think?

tf

Post by **tin can** » July 10th, 2002, 2:34 pm

I fish inshore a lot. All tops get in the way when casting. At least a bimini is removable. I prefer no top at all (I get tangled enough in what I already have on the boat)

.

Post by **Reel Country** » July 10th, 2002, 4:03 pm

TF,
I've got a 19' Sailfish CC. We had a T-Top put on at the factory. It looks awesome and is great for storing more stuff. Rocket launcher on top holds 4 more rods. We've put bungied bait traps to the top after picking up bait on the way out.
It occassionally gets in the way on the flats, but we've comfortably fished 4 people casting out there before. An occassional rod slams the top when a fished is missed.
It was a blessing on our first offshore trip 2 weeks ago, as it was still as a pond out there. The shade was welcome. I would never have a bimini.

We'll be out with the NFGFC scalloping this weekend. Stop by and look at it.

Post by **trout fisher** » July 10th, 2002, 4:13 pm

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!! Reel, that is nice! I'm a little apprehensive about taking a 19fter out deeeeeep. Guess you got bronze nads.

I do wanna give it a try someday, though. I was afraid a t-top would look silly on my boat but that is one

ride. Thanks for the pic.

tf

BTW, where do you store your boat? Mine's under the carport.....but would never fit under there with a top installed. Guess I could buy a tarp. Can't afford the top and a new shelter.

Post by **Reel Country** » July 11th, 2002, 8:40 am

It stays across the street from my house at my bro-in-law(co-boat owner) house. Believe it or not he found a tarp to cover the whole thing.
We have been out deep once. We fished 2 weeks ago SE of K-Tower. (We even caught a few grouper.) Flat calm day. 40 minute run from Mashes Sands. We have also been out to Marker 24 once. It can take seas pretty well. We just have to pick our trips carefully. You're welcome to follow us out one Saturday.

Post by **Blue Dolphin** » July 11th, 2002, 12:49 pm

Reel Country............what is the free board of your boat looks like the sides of your boat are not very high........my uncle as sea pro 21CC it is a bay boat is more or less what you have.......my uncle has bin out over 40 miles in his boat handles rough water pretty good........biggest thing I don't like about it is you get very wet in 3 foot seas

Post by **trout fisher** » July 11th, 2002, 1:13 pm

ReelCountry,

Thanks for the invite. I would definitely like that. It would sure help my feelings if there was another boat nearby.

tf

Post by **Reel Country** » July 11th, 2002, 4:48 pm

BD,
Don't know off hand, but we get wet if the seas are 3' also. Try to avoid getting out when seas are bad or calling for bad seas. We were going out to Marker 24 the one day with a following sea. 4-5 when we turned around to see how bad it was. The boat took the waves good, but I don't like being in seas like that. In my dad's old 36 Tiara, no problem.

Post by **trout fisher** » July 12th, 2002, 4:13 pm

Is there anyone around Tally or the coast ya'll would recommend to build a customized top for my boat? Went to a machine shop here and they said "You mean like on a camaro or something?"

Thanks in advance.

tf

Post by **Reel Country** » July 12th, 2002, 4:59 pm

Folks in Perry installed ours. Can't remember their name off the top of my head, but I can find out. Maybe Big Bend Marine

Post by **Reel Country** » July 15th, 2002, 10:02 am

BD,
The freeboard is 20 inches on our boat.

Post by **RunningBare** » July 25th, 2002, 11:29 am

My previous rig was a '93 Sailfish 190CC. I had a T Top put on by Gulf Coast Fab in Perry, right across from Big Bend Marine. Ask for Yancey, he did me right, and several others I refered there. Quality work, good people.

Post by **trout fisher** » July 25th, 2002, 1:58 pm

Thank you all!

tf

jka_gator · Post by **jka_gator** » July 26th, 2002, 8:14 am

Be sure and post the before and after pics when you get it done.

-J

Post by **trout fisher** » July 26th, 2002, 9:15 am

It may be a while. Cheapest estimate is $2100.00. The wife has some home improvement projects that I'll have to tend to first. Hopefully I'll have one by Spring. I may just "spring" for a bigger boat with a top.
Decisions,decisions.

tf