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T-Top for 15 Dauntless
nosek	#1  Posted on 11/03/10 - 5:21 AM
Member Posts: 8 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/07/10	Has anyone installed a Fishmaster Aluminum Folding T-Top? They look Great and priced Right. Here's their web site: http://www.fishmaster.com/ Or tell me about another T-Top idea. I am considering this T-top because of the staps and poles from my bimini that get in my way. Thanks for any responses. Gary Nosek California Edited by Tom W Clark on 11/06/10 - 8:55 AM
wrangler	#2  Posted on 11/03/10 - 10:38 AM
Member Posts: 264 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/14/08	The Fishmaster fastens to the floor which is a problem. I have a Bimi Tee Top on my Montauk. Cost about $400. www.bimiteetop.com. 888 251 5911 ext 8867. The top comes off so I can store the boat in my garage. I have the radio antenna, lights, PA Speaker etc on it. You can get pole holders also. It fastens to the console, not the floor. Mine is 4.5' X 6'. I have had it about 5 years and it is great! I always recommend it to whaler owners. Better than a bimini and cheaper than a fixed top. Edited by Joe Kriz on 04/13/13 - 1:12 PM
nosek	#3  Posted on 11/03/10 - 1:08 PM
Member Posts: 8 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/07/10	Why is it a problem to mount to the floor? They also have a two point fastening area for the front council. Looks very secure to me... I hate the straps and poles for the bimini when I am fishing... Edited by Joe Kriz on 04/13/13 - 1:11 PM
wrangler	#4  Posted on 11/04/10 - 10:43 AM
Member Posts: 264 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/14/08	The front supports must mount to a flat floor. Montauks do not have a flat floor. Also no under backing support according to my wood locating diagram. If your boat does, great. The bimiteetop has no straps to interfere like a bimini does. The bimi tee top is under $400. The Fishmaster over a $1000. Personnel preference. I have no choice but to go with what I got. If you do, then it is a great top as it folds instead of having to pick it up and down. Is there enough clearance on the bow to completely fold it all the way down? My montauk is not enough. Look at all the websites, then decide. Comparsion shop is what they say. Edited by wrangler on 11/04/10 - 10:45 AM
Phil T	#5  Posted on 11/04/10 - 12:32 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 6989 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	Many models do not have the required backing material in the floor to adequately support a t-top. You should check The wood backing diagram for your model at whalerparts.com. The consensus on this forum is a model smaller than a Outrage 18 is not a good candidate for a t-top due to the lack of backing material, model size and affect on stability. There have been discussions regarding the bimitee top suggested by Wrangler. Using the search feature will provide the information. 1992 Outrage 17 I 2019 E-TEC 90, Viper 17 2+ 2018 Load Rite Elite 18280096VT
nosek	#6  Posted on 11/06/10 - 9:12 AM
Member Posts: 8 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/07/10	How thick is the floor on the sides of the council where I will be mounting the T-Top? The BW wood diagram does not show any wood in that area. Thanks... Nosek
John Fyke	#7  Posted on 11/06/10 - 10:12 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	nosek wrote: How thick is the floor on the sides of the council where I will be mounting the T-Top? The BW wood diagram does not show any wood in that area. Thanks... Nosek If the wood diagram shows no wood there then there isn't any. The gelcoat is not thick enough to support a t-top. John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.
nosek	#8  Posted on 11/16/10 - 8:06 AM
Member Posts: 8 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/07/10	Update in installation of Fish Masters T-Top. Received the two boxes of parts to make the T-Top. The quality of this product is unbelievable. Excellent welds and highly polished. You receive every part needed for a complete intallation including 5200 Fast Cure. We assembled the T-Top per the instructions and lifted it onto the boat from the bow. Looked awsome. Had friends stabilize it in an area that might work for installation. I removed the bolts that held the pivot hindges together and proceeded to bend it forward. All look good until --wow the 4' wide top hit the railing. It would not go any lower than the railing. CRAP... We analized it over and over. But could not come up with a way to have it clear the railings when lowered. Back in the boxes it went. I am returning it this week. A financial loss due to shipping costs but I am glad that I tried. Because if it worked it would have been perfect. Appearance, functionality and quality were excellent. You just need a longer boat for the folding T-Top to work. I would recommend Fish Masters to anyone wanting a T-Top. Just have a bigger boat than a 15'. Nosek Edited by Joe Kriz on 04/13/13 - 1:13 PM