T-tops

Pathfinder_2000 · June 1, 2009, 1:53pm

Looking to put a T-Top on my boat. Are there any local builders and how mouch should I expect to pay.

duckduckdog · June 1, 2009, 2:38pm

I interested in the response to this as well. This is the one thing I regret about my boat… should have gone with the t-top from the start. It is the next thing I will do, but how soon will depend on the price.

2008 Sea Fox 197 CC
2008 Suzuki 140

Happy_Bob · June 1, 2009, 4:14pm

I can build t-tops for both of you. My shop is about 15 miles SE of Columbia off I-26.(between exits 125 & 129)
I’ve done work for several guys here on charlestonfishing.com, so I have “local” references.
If you PM or email me your email address, I’ll send some pictures of my work and give you an idea on costs.
Thanks, Bob

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

duckduckdog · June 1, 2009, 5:19pm

email sent Bob - thanks

2008 Sea Fox 197 CC
2008 Suzuki 140

Happy_Bob · June 1, 2009, 5:48pm

Here are a couple that I’ve done for members of CFC.

http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=78401
http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=74537

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

CaptainPhil · June 1, 2009, 6:56pm

Call Donald @ Marine Innovations in Summerville. Does really good work.
His cell # is 843-224-6527. He just finished a Poling Platform for my dad.

205 Scout Sportfish
150 Yamaha 4-stroke

Pathfinder_2000 · June 2, 2009, 12:12pm

PM sent bob Thanks

MarionRE · June 2, 2009, 3:55pm

Mark Googer at Carolina Custom Rigging in Mt. Pleasant did mine. I don’t think I’ve ever been more pleased with a $3500 purchase. I somehow forgot to mention it at the time but I would have paid a lot more for it.

Key West Sportsman 186
Yamaha 150 4 Stroke

Itch · June 2, 2009, 4:40pm

quote:
Originally posted by MarionRE
Mark Googer at Carolina Custom Rigging in Mt. Pleasant did mine. I don’t think I’ve ever been more pleased with a $3500 purchase. I somehow forgot to mention it at the time but I would have paid a lot more for it.

Key West Sportsman 186
Yamaha 150 4 Stroke

$3500 sounds high. Did you add a lot of extras?

White Trash
Sea Fox 236
200HP Suzuki

Happy_Bob · June 2, 2009, 4:57pm

quote:
Originally posted by Itch
quote:
Originally posted by MarionRE
Mark Googer at Carolina Custom Rigging in Mt. Pleasant did mine. I don’t think I’ve ever been more pleased with a $3500 purchase. I somehow forgot to mention it at the time but I would have paid a lot more for it.

Key West Sportsman 186
Yamaha 150 4 Stroke

$3500 sounds high. Did you add a lot of extras?

White Trash
Sea Fox 236
200HP Suzuki

It seems a little high to me too. What kind of options did you have added?

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

DueSouth · June 2, 2009, 5:04pm

Mt. Pleasant

If you ain’t hooked, you ain’t doing it right.

Itch · June 2, 2009, 5:04pm

Now Happy Bob,

You and me may have some business in the future. Don’t go gettin’ any ideas from that $3500 price tag. That’s crazy talk!

White Trash
Sea Fox 236
200HP Suzuki

Happy_Bob · June 2, 2009, 5:22pm

quote:
Originally posted by Itch
Now Happy Bob,

You and me may have some business in the future. Don’t go gettin’ any ideas from that $3500 price tag. That’s crazy talk!

White Trash
Sea Fox 236
200HP Suzuki

Call me anytime Itch.

For $3500 we could really “bling”</font id=“red”> up your boat.

MarionRE, I really would like to know what options you got on your top for that. And was it for your Key West 186?

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

Scout185sf · June 7, 2009, 9:15pm

Happy Bob,
My CC has a T-Top that came on the Scout 2006 I bought. Great boat but it looks like some of the screws are beginning to come loose on the forward side of the CC that are connected to the T-Top. Any advice besides just tighten them? If that is it, are there any tips or tricks?

Gone Fishing…

spareparts · June 7, 2009, 10:30pm

Mark does really good work, I’m not sure what was done for $3500, but he has done tops cheaper, and more expensive, its all it what the customer wanted. I’ve seen soem other local tops that were supposed to be cheaper than Mark, but by the time it got thru, it was close to the same price, and when you add in the cost of getting it repaired after the first season off shore, it would have been far cheaper to go with Mark, and get a top that will hold up.

Happy_Bob · June 8, 2009, 6:48am

quote:
Originally posted by Scout185sf
Happy Bob,
My CC has a T-Top that came on the Scout 2006 I bought. Great boat but it looks like some of the screws are beginning to come loose on the forward side of the CC that are connected to the T-Top. Any advice besides just tighten them? If that is it, are there any tips or tricks?

Gone Fishing…

Hopefully it was originaly thru bolted at Scout. I know that some manufacturers just use self tapping screws.

I would remove and replace the existing screws and lock nuts. If possible get some 5200 marine sealant between the mounting pads and the console. Make sure there are backing plates or at least large O.D. fender washers on the inside then tighten everything back down. Double check the screws at all the mounting points.

If it isn’t thru bolted, I’d advise doing so. If the holes are wallowed out, you may need to get some fiberglass work done.

Bob

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

elcid83 · June 8, 2009, 1:42pm

quote:
Originally posted by Happy Bob
quote:
Originally posted by Scout185sf
Happy Bob,
My CC has a T-Top that came on the Scout 2006 I bought. Great boat but it looks like some of the screws are beginning to come loose on the forward side of the CC that are connected to the T-Top. Any advice besides just tighten them? If that is it, are there any tips or tricks?

Gone Fishing…

Hopefully it was originaly thru bolted at Scout. I know that some manufacturers just use self tapping screws.

I would remove and replace the existing screws and lock nuts. If possible get some 5200 marine sealant between the mounting pads and the console. Make sure there are backing plates or at least large O.D. fender washers on the inside then tighten everything back down. Double check the screws at all the mounting points.

If it isn’t thru bolted, I’d advise doing so. If the holes are wallowed out, you may need to get some fiberglass work done.

Bob

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

Bob,

Thanks for your willingness to post on this forum. I enjoyed the photos of your work on the Key West and Whaler. I have a Key West 2020 Dual Console and am considering a hard top. Can you send me a PM with some info on such a rig?

Thanks in advance.

Key West 20’ DC/ 200hp Evinrude E-Tec

Happy_Bob · June 8, 2009, 5:31pm

quote:
Originally posted by elcid83
Bob,

Thanks for your willingness to post on this forum. I enjoyed the photos of your work on the Key West and Whaler. I have a Key West 2020 Dual Console and am considering a hard top. Can you send me a PM with some info on such a rig?

Thanks in advance.

Key West 20’ DC/ 200hp Evinrude E-Tec

elcid83–PM sent

I’m always willing to put in my 2 cents worth:wink:. Sometimes I even have something to contribute. If I can help someone out or give a suggestion that might work, I’m glad to do it.

Thanks, Bob

Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069

RussB · June 8, 2009, 8:46pm

Just my $.02 here. Have never had any work done for me personally by him but have heard nothing but good reports about Happy Bobs work and more importantly (I think) his work ethics. Have welded a lot of aluminum kayak molds together in my time and welding in general and Bob sure seems to knows what he’s talking about.

Russ B.

Psalm 55:22

hanapaa · June 9, 2009, 6:41am

Here’s another example of HB’s work.
This arch has been just what I needed.
I had the curtains added later, and it has been perfect for me.

Happy boatin’ y’all!!