Hardtop purchase question

[deshet]

I have a chance to buy a hardtop from a 24' Grandy White Offshore boat for $1500.

I believe that I can put it on my V20 with some mods, do you think it is worth spending the money or not.

Also how much should I pay to have the top modified.


I know that I can get the top for between $1000 and $1300.

this is the same exact top

http://www.brantmarine.com/images/88_24_grad.jpg

[Skools Out]

have one made to fit your boat, it would look better. but i'd like to have that one for my 248.

[Blue_Runner]

Trying to be a Dawg huh? ;D

I would go and get a price on a new custom hard top from a couple different places. Franco has a good connection in the hard top business. Same guy that put the T-top on his marathon.

You might be able to find some things out by talking with that guy.

BTW - RAP, now you've gone and got everybody competing for DOTM!

[msbhammer]

More then likely, they wont beable to use any of the tubing, so your just buying the hardtop. You can still save money I think going this way though. Normal hardtop must be at least $3,000.00
What is a normal size for a hardtop ?, Anybody have any measurements ?

[msbhammer]

Deshet,
A pair of fence cutters and a rachet, grab that Bracket off that Grady. ;D ;D ;D

[TheTinMan]

How old is that ad? $38k for an 88 with no power??? Something aint right :-/

Take really good measurements of the mounting points and compare them to your boat and see how close they are. Find out beforehand about how much to have it modified. You may get lucky and the fit will be close??? If so, I'm sure you'll save a couple grand compared to a new custom top.

[spareparts]

the guy who does t-tops around here came up with a good idea, he buys a piece of finished fiber glass, he gets it any thickness he wants up to 1/2 inch, he usually uses 1/4, it comes in a 4X8 sheet, geled on both side and slick as glass. He builds the aluminum top and lays the glass on top of the frame, makes a couple of marks with a marker, pulls the glass off, cuts it to fit, then gels teh edges, when its all done it looks great, i think he said a 4X8 sheet fininshed 1/4 goes for about $500, weighs about 75$. Unlesss some one poionted it out, you would never know how it was done, next time I'm at his shop, I'll snap a pic

[deshet]

sorry guys it is not this exact boat but it is the same top that is on this boat.

spareparts
the guy who does t-tops around here came up with a good idea, he buys a piece of finished fiber glass, he gets it any thickness he wants up to 1/2 inch, he usually uses 1/4, it comes in a 4X8 sheet, geled on both side and slick as glass. He builds the aluminum top and lays the glass on top of the frame, makes a couple of marks with a marker, pulls the glass off, cuts it to fit, then gels teh edges, when its all done it looks great, i think he said a 4X8 sheet fininshed 1/4 goes for about $500, weighs about 75$. Unlesss some one poionted it out, you would never know how it was done, next time I'm at his shop, I'll snap a pic


I would figure this is how hardtops are usually built. How much does your local shop charge. where are you located. If I can have this top on my boat for under $2000 I will most like buy it.

[shicks007]

I know around here (VA), your looking at $4,000 + dollars for a custom hardtop. Iv'e gota couple of quotes on a simple radar arch with 4 rod holder and we are looking at $1,200 installed.

I would say, if the width is right, and all that needs to be done cut the legs of for the right hieght and weld new flanges on the bottom for mounting, it might be worth it and look O.K. If the width is wrong, then I wouldn't bother.

Just my $.02

Scott

[spareparts]

the hard top i described differs from the factory typr on that Grady, the factory type are usually molded fiberglass with two sides,that have molded in drip rails, electronic boxes, raised hhardpoints for mounting, etc.. they look great but cost a bit more. The marine salvage place in Jupitor Fl has a bunch of hardtops, but the odds of one matching are pretty slim. If you live near Charleston, SC, you can give Mark a call at (843) 884-8665 for an estimate for a top and tower

[reelapeelin]

Measure the width...24' GW gonna be considerably wider than our 20s...and the cost to modify is the wild-card... ;) ...

[reelapeelin]

BTW - RAP, now you've gone and got everybody competing for DOTM!


BR...you know me...gotta be stirrin' stuff up whenever I can...but remember...whoever gets DOTM...YOU is the ORIGINAL ... ;) 8) ...

[chumbucket]

Measure the width...24' GW gonna be considerably wider than our 20s...and the cost to modify is the wild-card... ;) ...

Actually, I think it's going to be too narrow. I had the 22' Grady Seafarer with a hard top. It's the identical boat to the 24' Offshore except for the LOA. Better measure and find ooout if it can be mofified before buying. I doubt it. ???

[Blue_Runner]

Ok, we'eve got one saying too wide, one saying too narrow....I'm gonna agree with shicks. Only one way to find out and that is to measure best you can and see how close it is. If close you can make it work, if not I'd keep lookin.

[reelapeelin]

Ok, we'eve got one saying too wide, one saying too narrow....I'm gonna agree with shicks. Only one way to find out and that is to measure best you can and see how close it is. If close you can make it work, if not I'd keep lookin.



Ok, OK...went and found spec on '88 GW of that model...Beam is 8'3''...I'm thinkin' our Vs are 8'0"...


...anyway, I agree w/ BR...MEASURE B4 U buy... ;) ;D ...

[chumbucket]

Yeah, the beam is 8' 3" on the Grady, but it's a walkaround cuddy and the hard top doesn't go out to the gunwales. Trust me on this one as my 22' was identical in beam and the walkaround. It's too narrow.

[reelapeelin]

Yeah, the beam is 8' 3" on the Grady, but it's a walkaround cuddy and the hard top doesn't go out to the gunwales. Trust me on this one as my 22' was identical in beam and the walkaround. It's too narrow.



Well shhhhoooot...thought I had ya, CB...guess I'll have to get up a little earlier to do that ;) ;D ...

[chumbucket]

;D ;)