Hardtop

[CaptJJ]

How is everyone?
I was wondering who would have any input on putting a hardtop on a 1989 V20 with a cuddy, that I have owned since new. I am interested in doing this to mine soon, but want to make sure I don't make any regrettable mistakes. Pictures of V20s with them would be great for ideas.
The boat is in Rhode Island, so if you know anyone that makes a quality product, not too many states away, let me know.

Thanks
JJBroc
Seventh Wave

[Blue_Runner]

Hello JJ, doing fine, how are you?

Our moderator Macojoe recently bought and installed a new top on his Sea Ox. If I remember correctly it wasn't a bad deal at all and I know he is very happy. I dug around and found the old link with pics. He'll probably be along shortly to fill in the details for you. He is in Mass, so I'm not sure exactly how close that is to you. Anyway, here it is:
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/showthread.php?t=9479

[CaptJJ]

Thanks, liking that alot! Wish I knew if you could make it fit our V's though. I have seen a few in the RI area and left a couple of notes, but no one has got back to me yet.
JJBroc

[macojoe]

Thanks!!

That top was made by Atlantic Towers in NJ. http://www.atlantictowers.com/

Mine was $3000 with the extra adjustable rod holders, and the mounts for the electronic box. Delivered.

CB and I installed it in about 3 hours, pretty easy! They will make to your boats spec per Wellcraft, ship to you in one piece. You will need to cut the legs to your height, and mount with all hardware supplyed.

Sean also just installed a T Top on his center console from them.

I am very Very happy with mine!!

[bradford]

That honcho man known around these parts as Charlie the Tuna has a hardtop on his cuddy. Looks pretty good, but not as good as Charlie himself.

:sun:

[CaptJJ]

Macojoe/Bradford,
Lovin the look of your hard top Macojoe don't know if I can put that much into her right now. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place with this. Wife and two minnie meez need shade and I have no canvas left whatsoever. Don't want to waste money on getting canvas when I really want a hardtop.

Boy, I hope my kids are enjoying the way I am investing in their college tuition. I sure hope the value of these V20s keeps going up.

What did Charlie the Tuna do for a hard top?
JJBroc

[macojoe]

CTT has a hard top like mine and I am sure its not cheap!! I believe his boat came with it?
If you don't see having the cash for a while and really need the shade, Then I would go with the regular Bimini top, It will get the job done and easy to get out the way if you need the space for casting.
You can get some pretty good deals on them if you don't go to wild, and get one off the rack. Not to hard to modify the mounting if need be.

Good Luck!

[bradford]

My bimini broke the straps when I was trailering in the rain and didn't want to get out to lower it. (Yeah I KNOW!) Long story short it blew right off and got run over by two cars and dragged by the third. I went back after the coast was clear and got it, pieced her back together. The stitching started coming out last year and got it restiched for $20. I almost hate to get a new one!

[CaptJJ]

I just got an email a guy in RI has two used hardtops, "they came of the new stlye trophys 20-25ft's". Anyone here think this can be made to fit?? How wide/long would the enclosure have to be for our v20's?

Now I will say my prayer's, "please forgive me God for considering putting Bayliner parts on my Wellcraft."

I used the original top as a bimini up till last year. Kept spraying it with sealant, finally pooped the bed. Yeh I was thinking maybe just a bimini, probably about $400-500?

JJBroc

[tsubaki]

$385 with shipping, Sunbrella fabric, stainless hardware and 2 pairs of adjustable supports.
You can save $135 by having plastic hardware and no adjustable supports.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/showthread.php?t=8965&highlight=bimini
http://www.gmitopdesign.com/

[dmoore]

Wellcraft V-20 gallery...page 7, top right..the mother of all v-20 hardtops :)

[charlie_the_tuna]

hey jj, i love it. now that i've had it i cant imagine being without it.
original owner had it custom made with full 4 side curtains at a cost of almost $5,000.
sold it about 3 months later to the guy i bought it from.
guy i bought it from never even put it in the water.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/fishmaster63/DSCF0063.jpg

[charlie_the_tuna]

it actually steals a bit of fishing room but its a fair trade when yer out in 95 degrees and there aint a wisp of breeze.
big enough for everybody to get out of the sun.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/fishmaster63/boat3.jpg

[charlie_the_tuna]

fact is, most days you can find me under it getting relief from the sun.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/fishmaster63/DSCF0004-1.jpg

[charlie_the_tuna]

and yes, its almost as pretty as i am.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/fishmaster63/DSCF0027.jpg

[charlie_the_tuna]

aaahhhhh whos kidding who?
it aint even close.


http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c305/fishmaster63/DSCF0002.jpg

[macojoe]

and yes, its almost as pretty as i am

yea but you are gayer!:nut:

[randlemanboater]

I just got an email a guy in RI has two used hardtops, "they came of the new stlye trophys 20-25ft's". Anyone here think this can be made to fit?? How wide/long would the enclosure have to be for our v20's?

Now I will say my prayer's, "please forgive me God for considering putting Bayliner parts on my Wellcraft."

I used the original top as a bimini up till last year. Kept spraying it with sealant, finally pooped the bed. Yeh I was thinking maybe just a bimini, probably about $400-500?

JJBroc

Don't worry, we wont give you a hard time about putting BAYLINER stuff on your V.

You will just have to get the measurements and see, they are probably going to be too narrow because of comming off of walkarounds, but you never know.

[CaptJJ]

Charlie, that hard top looks great, as for you.....what was it that Mac said..! Yeah I would love to do that to mine if I knew I was keepin' it. My wife has actually been pushin' me to find something with more room...so you guys know where I am at just weighing everything out so i don't go bankrupt.l

[Enforcer]

Well if you need more room a 23 to 25 is were you are headed and even some of them have less!! I know I was looking at ton's of them before the Sea Ox.

Good Luck!!

[CaptJJ]

That's what she wants, something with a little more v-birth for the kids and us to stay overnight on. Me, I am happy sleeping on top of the V's gas tank...with a blanket and a bottle of Dewar's (tanked).

Been looking in the 23'-25' range and willing to spend in the $10,000-15,000 range. It's all timing for a good deal right now...there is a ton of stuff out there and I am in absolutely no rush.

Would love to figure a way out to afford my dream, a 28' Bertram....I think it would break me though. And the girls would probably never get any help with college, in fact, they might not get any new clothes, food or heat in the winter.

[spareparts]

look at the Ox I posted in the classifieds

[CaptJJ]

Yeah I saw it. She looks nice...but look at these type of things I am tempted by...
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/832921533.html and this

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/831450944.html

turn this into brackets with twin outboards, $4,000 for the hull + how much to set this up?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1974-28-Classic-Bertram_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ120302631141QQsspag enameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101

hmmmmm how can I make this work? Flybridge, cigar and scotch(beer if needed), it doesn't get much better then that.

[Sean]

BUY The Bertram.... Then lets go to the Canyons!!!!!:beer:

[SkunkBoat]

I had mine made and installed at Shore Towers in Brick,NJ for $3200 with 6 rod holders and a 1 inch thick "honeycomb" top. I LOVE MY TOP but I'll pass along my only misgiving....
It is really strong, even OVERbuilt for what is needed. The guy said it would be strong enough to put a helm up there! He wasn't lying. But I'm not in Florida lookin' for weed lines.... I have done cannonballs from up there when the fluke don't bite.
He used 6 attaching points instead of 4.
The "problem" is that the windshield door can't open all the way to lay flat on the port side because it hits one of the legs of the frame. It goes just past half way so it will stay open except in a strong crosswind.
If you get one done, make sure you can lay the windshield open.

One of the uprights has a pass-through hole inside the welded connection to the tube that goes around the top, so you can snake wires to lights and antennae...Very important!

My plan was to get some Eisenglass for the front and sides. Honestly, I had that with my old bimini top and I always took it down. I like the wind and spray. And when it gets cold, coveralls are cheaper and easier to clean.

[RWilson2526]

that is one sweet top.....like the skunk flag by the way

[bradford]

Hey Skunk, Sweet hardtop! How much headroom do you have underneath it?

[SkunkBoat]

I've never measured but I'd say at least a foot at the helm and 6 inches under the rod holders. I'm 6 feet tall. These pix give you an idea of headroom. I have never bumped my head on this top. I can reach the rodholders but my shorter fishing buddys have a hard time.

[phester]

nice top you got there skunkman, nice srtiper too