To T-Top or not to T-Top

General Boats and Motors
1

So I am sitting on a choice here… I brought my 180 Pioneer in to the shop yesterday to have it looked at to have a factory T-Top installed on it, and the factory came back with a price of $2800 for the top and to install it. Any advice on this???:question::question: Is this way too much, or a good price?

18 Pioneer CC 115 Evinrude E-Tec

Semper Fi!

2

price is probably about right. there is no substitute for a good t-top. expensive, but well worth it in my opinion.

negative… you won’t be able to get under some bridges. also some might say that casting a rod around them is a pain. (but i say that if a t-top is getting in your way of casting, you don’t have any business with a rod in your hand anyway)

3

That’s a pretty good price for a factory installed T-top. They know the boat and the tops better than anyone else, and they’ll stand behind both fully, considering it’s Pioneer.

Can get a cheaper top, but I can tell you it will likely

  1. structurally not hold up,
  2. look like junk on such a nice looking boat
  3. ultimately cause damage to your boat because of installation method(console mounted at factory using backing plates, but welders will want to lag it into your deck because that’s the old school way, and they will swear it must be done that way because they may not understand that pioneer bonds the console to the deck strongly so it can support the tops they put on them. Pioneer probably doesn’t want extra holes drilled INTO the deck of their boats they warranty for life!) The deck probably doesn’t have reinforcement in that part of it because the boats are not built to have t tops mounted there! A welder may not care- he will want to do it the “best way” in his opinion, which will obviously differ from the folks’ who built the boat! I’ve been told by a couple welders they absolutely would not build a top for me with mounts not into the deck. Okay, how does that make sense when the boat has a foam cored deck, and you cannot get access to the bottom of the deck to put any sort of backing plate or even a fender washer on the bottom? That’s STUPID, IMO and a half-way, shoddy way to do things. Cheap, pre-made tops or whatever, are not built to mount to a console. They have to mount to the deck, and they aren’t going to be strong. The weaker the top, the more strain on the mounts. Lots of movement and stressing. NOT a good idea for the top, your boat, OR your wallet. I can write out a pretty long list of boats that are now built with t tops NOT mounted into the deck not just because they want to free up foot space on deck but also because it’s a stronger design to mount to a strongly built console, which is strongly attached to the deck, which is strongly attached to the hull. Pioneer has the b
4

Call Brooks at Oswald Props. They advertise on here, do great work and are reasonably price. PLUS you can get it the dimensions you want! He built one for my 19 Bay Boat.

Marsha
35 Contender

5

Thank y’all for the advice I will keep everyone posted on what I do.

18 Pioneer CC 115 Evinrude E-Tec

Semper Fi!

6

I don’t know what kind of options are included with the factory installed top, but $2800.00 seems a bit pricey for a basic T-top with 4 rod holders. If you’re getting an electronics box wired with a fuse block and ground strip and spreader lights fore and aft, then that price is not too bad.

I’m not going to disagree with the points that Phin mentioned. BUT, a well built t-top is only as strong as the boat it is mounted on. I don’t care whether it’s deck mounted or console mounted. Just like a house is only as good as it’s foundation.
Notice I said “well built t-top”.
Please, don’t confuse “welder” with “marine aluminum fabricator”. Anyone can weld aluminum, if you’ve got the time and money, I’d be happy to teach you. To know how to build something that is structuraly strong and pleasing to the eye is something completly different. Where a “welder” might just lag a top to the deck, a experienced fabricator would contact the boat builder to find out as much as he could before even starting the project.
I’ve been doing this stuff for a long time now, and I’m very pleased to say that I’ve never, ever had a t-top or anything else crack or break because of my workmanship. THAT’S what separates a “welder” from a true craftsman. (and yes, I’m blowing my own horn loud and clear)
OK, I’ve had a couple of beers and I apologize for my rant.
Good night.

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

7

“I’ve been doing this stuff for a long time now, and I’m very pleased to say that I’ve never, ever had a t-top or anything else crack or break because of my workmanship. THAT’S what separates a “welder” from a true craftsman. (and yes, I’m blowing my own horn loud and clear)”

From the stories I’ve heard, you deserved to toot your horn. Is there a boat company out there that you haven’t prototyped something for?!

8

Get a fold down T top.I lost my best fishing area because I can’t get to it.

Stonoman

9

I have seen Bob’s work, it is beautiful. He is a craftsman, not a welder.

10
quote:
Originally posted by palmettotrooper

Is there a boat company out there that you haven’t prototyped something for?!

Over the years, I’ve prototyped and or built t-tops, half towers, and many small parts like rails, leaning posts and poling platforms for over 30 boat companies on the east coast and as far north as Holland, Michigan. I’ve also done stainless work for Trinity Yachts in New Orleans and Swiftships Shipbuilders in Morgan City, La.

Toot!Toot!

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

11

I just got a top fully loaded from marc googer at carolina custom rigging about 6 months ago. He did an awesome job. I think I paid $3400. I didnt like the factory top. It looks great and has everything I could want. Its also larger than the factory top and has a nice flowing look. Mine mounts half at the console and half on the deck. He did a great job of backing the mounts.

Key West 225cc Yamaha 225