Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by beninga on 08/19/15 - 1:05 PM

I have recently completely restored a 1975 17" Montauk. I could not be happier with the performance of my boat. I repowerd with a 70 hp 4 stroke Yamaha, and it is perfect. The only issue that I have is being on the water all day without shade. I have been told that the 17' can NOT handle a T Top due to the length and possible instability with the weight and having essentially a sail up that high. Does anyone have an opinion on this or ideas to get some shade without losing my rail space with a Bimini Top?. Thank you

Posted by wing15601 on 08/19/15 - 7:42 PM

I purchased my 1984 17' Montauk about 4 years ago and it has a T top installed. If it weren't already there I wouldn't spend the money but I like it ok. It has 4 legs each with a welded plate with 4 screws into the deck. It is attached to the console in two places. I've used the boat in the Gulf of Mexico and the islands around Sanibel Florida and in Lake Michigan for the last three years. The lake kicks up pretty good and I've been out when a lot of boats turned back before going out of the breakwater. I am not new to boating having owned boats From 13 feet to 38 feet over the last 45 years and have never felt any instability or wind/sail problems because of the T top. It is afterall, aluminum, and probably no heavier than the stainless steel bows of a Bimini top and certainly less canvas. It is a convenient place for rod holders, anchor/all round white light, a flood light for the cockpit and a VHF antenna. There are two negatives. Because of the design the legs are outboard of the console and take up precious space next to the console. The second is the following. I have an E-TEC 90 and people with the same setup report speeds of 42 mph or so. I can only get 39 and I think that is because when the bow is up the top acts like a scoop slowing me down. I've heard all the opinions of how bad a T top is on a Montauk but I've experienced the T top and find none of the fears to be valid. Pics on my personal website.

Edited by wing15601 on 08/19/15 - 7:42 PM

Posted by wrangler on 08/20/15 - 4:46 AM

Consider a bimiteetop. They mount to the console, can be taken down for garage storage and are very inexpensive compared to a t topless or other fixed top.

I have had one on my 1979 Montauk about 10 years now. I mounted the radio antenna and lights on it.
They have rod storage also. A previous Montauk owner read this from me a few months ago and got one.

Phone number 813 240 1617 or email teetop1@verizon.net. Their is no longer any website. They are made by the Taylormade co.

Edited by wrangler on 08/20/15 - 11:03 AM

Posted by TTopless on 08/20/15 - 11:10 AM

Phil T wrote:
Consider T-topless. Not cheap but may suit your needs.
http://www.rnr-marine.com/Montauk-T-T...less.shtml

Not many members have reported installing one but there have been a few that have been pleased.

Phil T,

Thank you for the nice reference. We do have 100's of the T-Topless and Shadow tops out on the water now. I'm not sure how many of these owners are on WhalerCentral, but we'll be glad to mention WhalerCentral on our site as its a great resource for Whaler owners. We also carry all of the OEM canvas and covers for Boston Whalers from 1997 forward...

Thanks again and have a great day!

Posted by bradsc on 08/20/15 - 4:00 PM

I had a t-top on my 21 outrage but I felt it just did not provide enough coverage from the sun or rain. So when I downsized to a 17 Montauk I decided to go to a bimini top. It was first installed on a rail and stayed folded toward the front and outside the front rail. Then I decided to get rid of the rail and fold it toward the back. I just keep it down and it rest on the side rails when we are inshore fishing. I normally have it up and then open it up to get out of the sun. I added 3 rod holders and for me this has been a better set up than a t-top. My buddy has a 1.25" main bow on his bimini and it is a beast.

Posted by bottomline on 09/12/15 - 3:15 PM

I bought a Taylormade bimini tee-top with a stainless steel frame ,and I love it. Around $700.00 shipped. It fits the console great, I can remove it to fit it in the garage.And the stainless steel is 7/8 " like the whaler railing. Mine is a 4.5' by 6' and you can see one on the (Taylormade 4' by 5' detachable bimini tee top for boats) on Ebay. It's a high quality t-top.

Posted by bottomline on 09/18/15 - 12:40 PM

By the way the top came from www.bimiteetop.com. I had to install my top a little different then instructed. I mounted my forward struts to the front of the console ( I had a 8' antenna on the side of the console)and the rear struts on the handrail. I'm waiting for some fittings to beef up the side to side movement of the top. It's not bad, but it gives a little more support. I spent an extra 125 bucks for the way I wanted it, but it's solid.

Posted by butchdavis on 09/19/15 - 7:16 AM

I wear a wide brim hat and use sun screen. Works well with my 75 year old skin and as I also use the hat for any outdoor work it's very cost effective.

The downside is that it fails to portray my ultra cool image very well and the hat only lasts two to three years.