CAMPER TOP

[chris.l]

Gday out there in v20 land.
just bought one and I would like to put a full top on my boat just like Franco's and fillet1.Like the zipper door.How do you like them,is there anything you'd like to change? thanks Chris

[willy]

Hello Mate, That Fillet boat is my boat as of last year, I don't have the rear, just three sides and I like it fine, makes it a different boat all together when it is windy or hot sun or when the chop spray is flying. Love it. Only thing I dont like is when salt spray gets on it and dries between splashes on a hot windy day, cuts down on visibilty a little. When that happens I put one of the super models out front like the old ships had and tell her to guide me home ;D

[Blue_Runner]

Chris, I'm actually the new owner of Franco's top. He sold it to me about a year ago.

Welcome to the site. To answer your question, I don't think I would change much, if anything! The material looks kinkof like a vinyl material. My only concern would be this materail drying and cracking over time. I suppose there's not going to be much I can do to stop this except take good care of them.

That said, for my next top I might go with Sunbrella material, although the vinyl has prooven to be quite waterproof 8) wheras I believe sunbrella would need to be sprayed down with scotch guard to have water resistant qualities. Otherwise I believe it would soak through.

Its tough to find used ones. You might have to have one custom made. In that case you are looking at spending over $1000 and under $2000 if you are lucky.

What year is your V20? Cuddy or center console? How bout some pictures? You can also start a gallery and add pics there.

[Blue_Runner]

Alot of stuff is changing hands around here ;)

[chris.l]

salt spray is not a problem here on Lake Superior!.Need the top for warmth as the water as trouble getting over 52 degrees here.Even going to put a heater in this one.I'm picking it up next week as there is still snow here .Will post the before and after shots when I get goin'.yep custom made is my only choise here.

[Blue_Runner]

Good luck and congrats on your new ride!

Blue

[cobburn]

I have a full enclosure on mine and I didn't know what I was missing on previous boats. Visibility is limited when it is wet but you have to take the good with the bad. I would rather that water to hit the enclosure than spray into the boat, especially when it's 40-some degrees out. I have an aft curtain now but i am definetly gonna get a clear curtain made that comes straight down from the rear edge of the bimini so i can put it up when winter fishing and have the back open.

[phester]

the full enclosure is worth every penny, used or new, I scored mine thru this board for 400$ and it's in perfect cond.[thanks to our resident wheeler and dealer Skools Out].Through a little heater in there for the late night fall bass trips and you are stylin'. If you get one, make sure you can zip out the window panel at the helm....seeing at night through the "glass" becomes abit obscured

[chris.l]

thanks for your replies.$400 is a steal.bare bones here with the door $2000.I live in thunder bay ontario and the heater here is not an option.we need it.going to plug in a 10lb propane bottle to a small heater used for ice fishing.Thanks again.

[reelapeelin]

Chris, I got 4-sided enclosure for mine...for winter fishin', it's the best $$ I spent...small propane heater knocks the chill out... ;)...

[chris.l]

as anyone made one out fiberglass out there or plywood?

[Blue_Runner]

2nd the heater....Mr. Heater Portable Buddy puts it out like a champ!

[RobsTV]

Camper top confused in v20 land?.?.?.

The V20 CC had a Camper top option.
Mine needs new canvas, so thread peaked my interest.
But so far, none of these posts seem to relate to the V20 camper top that was available from Wellcraft, like I have.?.?

I'm seeing posts stating $1000, $2000, $400 is a steal.
Huh? To replace the canvas, replace entire thing with original camper top, or are posts about other non V20 specific "camper type" tops?
Confused...

[willy]

Rob speaking for myself I thought you were refering to soft tops/enclosures that you buy aftermarket, don't know anything about a Wellcraft specific camper top for CC's.
Interesting though like to see a pick of one

[Mulv80]

Now this is a camper :o

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1985-Wellcraft-20-Center-Console-Fishing-Boat-in-CA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ80652QQitemZ46277640 47QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Blue_Runner]

Rob,

First, by camper top, we mean bimini top with full side, rear and front windows, complete with zippers to allow access in the rear as well as ventilation in the front and/or sides. Most of the time these are on the cuddy model.

There are a couple of different types of "drop curtain" setups that I've seen on center console boats (not V-20 though). One involves the rear, side and front curtains to be connected directly to the T-top and hanging straight down on all 4 sides, which allows you to walk around the enclosure..

The other involves also involves the T-top but rather than hanging straight down, they connect to the gunwhales on the sides. This type you cannot walk around and there has to be a zipper access in the front to access the bow. This setup also provides more space inside the enclosure than the other.

As for prices, I don't know about enclosures for CC models, but for the cuddy models, I suspect you couldn't buy one new for less than $1500. That is why we say that $400 or $500 is cheap.

Here's mine:
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album33/S2010064.sized.jpg

[RobsTV]

In the history section showing Wellcraft ads, they show the CC with the Bimini and Camper top raised. That is the stuff I have (the frames anyway, with rough canvas), the factory camper and bimini tops.


http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/view_photo.php?set_albumName=cat_1973&id=page14

I now see that thread pertains to generic term of Camper top, and not Wellcraft Camper tops. Makes sense.

[Blue_Runner]

Oh yeah, I forgot about the spray dodger on the CC boats. I think CB had one.

[chris.l]

check out the dudes in the80's with the handglider behind the boat.I think a little more rope would be a good idea.Its on robstv previous reply.

[macojoe]

yes he did!!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/album02/wellcraft_13.jpg

[Blue_Runner]

....and there it is!

Chris, yes, saw the hang-glider. My Lord I'd be a dead man if I owned one of those! :o