Converting soft t-top to Hard t-top??

[Ed]

Anyone ever convert a soft double bow t-top to a hard t-top? The double bow t-top is the type where the canvas wraps over and down the first bow and attaches to the second bow.

Pics of my boat t-top can be seen at www.classicmako.com.

Ed

[Mark]

http://www.classicmako.com/projects/mancini/

[Miles Offshore]

Hey Ed, I saw your post on one of the other boards and someone suggested using pro-trim. Your top looks to be a good candidate for it. I have seen it installed on t-tops at trade shows and I know it comes in a wide variety of colors. You might either look into that or Im sure any t-top guy can add the regular type material (standard) to your existing top. In your description I was thinking you were talking about a 4 frame bimini rag top but by looking at your pictures I see it is not- great looking boat btw !!! craig

[ScottM]

Ed,
You may want to contact this guy, he had the t-top on his 23' Formula CC converted from soft to hard. I could be wrong, but I think Kentfab did the work.

http://www.flyfishsaltwaters.com/ubb...c;f=5;t=001907

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Ed
I have thought about doing the same thin a few times and kind a like that pro trim material as well. I talked to a few guys that have told me you also need to think of the extra weight on the t-top as well. Extra weight means extra strain on the welds and on the brackets that hold everything down. Kind of like whipping a fishing rod at the tackle shop and then whipping the same rod with a 4 oz sinker attached to the tip. It would be smart to check with the manufacturer to see if the extra weight would be ok.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Ynot]

Ed
Im thinking about doing the same on my 2001 25' SC Saw a great top at the Atlantic city boat show on a 28' Triton.....custom made by the guys that build tops for Hatteras moulded in nav lights.......and spreader lights !

[PipeDreamsMarine]

Ed.. The only problem you may have is the compound crow

[PipeDreamsMarine]

Ed.. The only problem you may have is the compound crown of your top. Any rigid type materials will only bend one way with out buckling. It looks like the front of the top dips down. Take a straight edge and put it on the top, where it touches is where you can attach it too. But if you have to pull it down to touch the front it's not going to work. I've converted a few, and most I have to cut the front loose and straighten it out and redo the front braces. The double ring tops like yours take a bit more work then others. You may want to look at having the top removed from the legs anda new frame and skin put on. Drop me a line if you want to, I'll be happy to talk to you more about it