My hardtop was $3200 12 years ago. Canvas was last year $1500.
The hardtop is really overbuilt. Top is a sandwich of 1" plastic honeycomb with glass/gelcoat top&bottom. It holds the weight of a person standing on it. I have used it as a diving platform... You could definitely get away with a lighter design.
I am 6 ft tall to give you a sense of height in the pix.
When I got it a had a 150 merc. There was no noticable change to running speed or handling. Mid 40s mph. I run a 140 4 stroke now, runs great. 36mph top. Trailering is no problem, height on old trailer was 11 ft. Got new trailer, haven't measured but didn't hit any wires...(light & antenna down)
I absolutely love the top and now the canvas makes it even more fantastic. Highly recommended
Problems encountered;
The inner support on the bow prevents the window from laying over all the way. think about that when you design.
After 11 years, it developed cracks where the curved arch meets the verticals, on both sides. I had reinforcing plates added. You can see them in the last picture.
