Soft tops

[cSickNick]

Does anyone know if there is a manufacturer that sells the original soft top for the 20' Safari? Or is this now a call to a local "custom" shop to be made?

I need to stop the fair weather fisherman whining next to me this year.

Any help or input appreciated ...

BTW, I will pass on the 12 person sleep-over custom "tent" top! - Nick

[cSickNick]

Does anyone have any input on this?

I assume from the lack of replies that this is now a custom job? Does anyone know of someone in this area that makes these tops? What kind of materials and price should i be looking for in a good job? Like SS, aluminum tubing, canvas type or thickness, mill thickness of enclosure pieces?

I need to start making some calls .... thanks Nick.

[JohnS]

Nick, I guess you are right about nobody knowing or they would have replied. I doubt anyone really makes the original stuff because there really isn't a big calling for it. Your local canvas shop will be able to make up the top for you. I personally like Sunbrella fabric. It comes on all colors and is very durable. The thread that the shops use is more likely to rot out before the actual fabric itself does, had that happen in the past. The frames will be for personal choice. SS will be the most durable again however weighs much more than the aluminum and is very expensive. The aluminum should last as long with proper care and will be easily replaced if needed. I would opt for the SS fittings and such. The Zamak is garbage as far as I am concerned and the plastic stuff plain breaks. The fittings that are crimped in will come loose so, the ones that fit the outside diameter and have the set screw to hold them in place will most likely give you the better connection. Make sure, if you go the aluminum route, that the shop uses a good grade aluminum tubing with a decent wall thickness. Some shops try to cheap out using thin-wall tubing which will bend easily.

If this top will be retractable or fold up, talk to the local guys about making it "strapless" if they can. It is very nice not to have those straps in the way when the top is in place. With a little thinking, this can be done.

Sorry I can not help you in finding a local place to get it done at but, many of the boating magazines, as well as the Boat Trader usually have ads from the local guys listed in them. You can also try searching the Net for places in your area.

John

[Miles Offshore]

C-sick,I do some side jobs dont claim to be an expert or authority on the subject but I use mostly strataglass for curtains and sunbrella for bimini's etc..30 mil is what I prefer for the curtains but different strokes. I have some side curtains now that I am doing for a friend out of .40 but it is overkill on a 23 ft boat. Request Tenera thread from whoever does your top, this newer type of thread doesnt rot like the polyester that I use (it last ~3 years, then will need restiching)At 200$ a spool for Tenara its kinda tough for me to justify, especially if you use multiple colors [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] (the big shops can afford it, my little hobby cannot) The trend here in VB is aluminum T-tops almost exclusively. I havnt done a bimini in several years now. If you get a shop to do it they are most likely backed up several months by now, I know here they were backed up to march back in december [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . I dont do frames so John has givin you some sound advise. One thing about the strapless version is to make sure that however they "tie-in" the tubing that you have plenty of horizontal support or it will drive you crazy. Not telling you how to go but for what you would pay down here for a stainless bimini frame , top and curtains you could get a t-top and curtains for not a whole lot more.Anyways if I can be of any help ,let me know. craig

PS- if you get strataglass(which is the best in my book) never, never put Rain-X on it, it will ruin your investment, use only a good plastic polish like 210 from your favorite marine store.

[cSickNick]

Thanks Guys for the info, very helpful!

I talked to few shops that can make "stand-up" style tops. ( i assume it would look like Scott's 23' Sceptre top ... pretty nice!)

The problem for me is that i like to troll standing with the rod in hand out over the side windshield while driving . With this style top, i would have the back posts and possible straps in the way.

So .... to spend more money .... i was thinking of the possibility of having a custom "t-top" style made like most center consoles. My thoughts were to have the aluminum frame follow the lines of the Seafari windshield then bend over and back allowing the side areas to remain open, zip/snap in sides and windshield, soft top, plate to mount antennas, rocket launchers ..... eh .... cost and looks might be a problem ... then again someone might say "that looks SICK!!! ..... Nick!"

Is there such a top on any cuddy? .... Nick

[JohnS]

That is "Sick Nick". Ahhh, you opened the door on that one. I think you are refering to an "Arch", as I would call it anyway. This would be a good idea and shops will make up something special for you for a price. You can then have rod holders, antenna mounts, and even riggers mounted up there too if you like. Heck, just go crazy, it is only money and you only live once! In all reality, that would be a good idea and, they can definitely add a strapless bimini to an arch. See it all the time and it looks great too. You could them have the canvas run forward and attach to the windshield frame or something else, entirely up to you. They can custom bend the tubing to run with the lines of the boat and blend in with it. I strongly suggest using a good grade of tubing and at least a 1" schedule 40 aluminum pipe, which will measure about 1.315" OD. I have seen them powdercoated and just plain. My new boat has powder on the T-Top. Generally speaking, I like it but, only having the boat a few weeks, the jury is still out on the long term reliability of it. I will have to let ya know in about a year or so on that.

John