1985 V20 Half Tower/Hardtop

[Striper80]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

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.

Who made your top?

[step up here]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/communit...3&d=1367847641

[randlemanboater]

jhamz71...I dont have any experience with hardtops, but I have the same boat/engine combo as Skunk, but with no hardtop, I get 39-40 top end depending on which prop I have on, so looks like Skunks top slows him around 3-4 mph...maybe, depending on bottom condition and prop.

Hey Skunk, what prop are you running?

[capt chuck]

jhamz71 sent you a PM

[jhamz71]

with my 175 and a 14 3/4x17, i run around 43 mph. Skunk, that is a really awesome looking top! I was thinking something like that or something smaller like maybe only a foot or foot and half wide. something just to put speakers, antennas, rod holders, lights etc. on. and then of course use it to sit on and drink beer or jump off of!

[jhamz71]

Wish you werent all the way in new jersey skunk. Id love to come see that top of yours.

[bradford]

Jhamz, being that you're in Charleston, Spareparts has a friend that does custom marine welding and does really beautiful work.

http://www.carolinacustomrigging.com/

[SkunkBoat]

Hey StepUp, nice rig! I don't think I've seen it before. That top looks good. As I said, mine is overbuilt. Looks like you have the same problem with the window not swinging all the way?


One word though....Rodholders!

[DiverDux]

T-Tops Etc. in Delaware.

[captaingene]

They did a nice job on that hardtop