Hard-Top Decisions

Your hard-top or -T-top has a big impact on your boat. A fit for purpose hard-top makes a world of difference to your boat. Unfortunately most boat builders and buyers make their hard-top decision based on only one or two factors - sometimes only on aesthetics. They then assume that it will fulfill all their requirements. Here are the things you should consider.

1. How much shade does it provide?

2. How much deck space does it take up-support tubing protruding from the console makes a big impact on availability deck space?

3. Does it provide sufficient grab handles?

4. Can it safely hold fishing rods- a flimsy support structure are common ?

5. Is it sturdy, more importantly does it flex and rattle?

6. Can it be used for storage/is it load bearing ?

7. Does it allow for full/half or no windscreen ?

Rule of thumb if it's just for shade give it a few solid blows with the hand hammer and check that it doesn't rattle or shudder to much. If you putting rods, radar and other attachments on it , use the hand hammer again and hang on the back to check the amount of flex.

Here are a few basic hard-top types and what they generally offer:

Lightweight folding frame with fiberglass or canvas top. The fiberglass top can look great but realistically it is generally heavy. The supports are insufficient and the top will rattle and shudder, this can be highly annoying and ultimately unsafe. The weight makes it impractical to fold down by yourself so unless you doing it for towing purposes or to store in the garage, it's not worth the hassle. Avoid putting rocket launchers on these as the supports are probably already taking more weight than they should. If you have this type of design we suggest adding a third support from the leaning post .

This stainless steel tubing only has a 1.6mm wall thickness so it's not very durable long term. Especially when you only have one attachment point.

Below is a canvas folding version. Note that it has 2 support tubes, this makes it more sturdy so you can add rocket launchers for some rod storage . But it also has 2 hinge points- more hassle to fold down and the structure takes up a lot of space on deck- see how wide it is of the console. Rather consider one of the options below .

Solid frame with structural framework and fiberglass or canvas top . The supports for these tops are generally made from at least a 63mm diameter pipe or D-shaped tubing. Well made ones are sturdy and are good for rod storage offshore. They also provide the option of a full windscreen- full windscreen is great for keeping you out the weather and gives you more of a cabin feel. Disadvantage here is space taken up by supports, so look for D-tubing and tubing integrated with console.

Solid frame with four supports and fiberglass top. Typically these only come on bigger boats and with a bit more cost. They offer plenty of shade, grab handles for safety, full windscreen option and the ability to fully enclose the console area with covers or weather shields. This gives more of a cabin like feel on the boat. In terms of storage you get the ability to put anything from fishing rods to tubes and kayaks up top. If you are spending time offshore this is probably what you want to be looking at.

The ability to close the console area and having a solid attachment point for bow shade is a great advantage .

Below you can see a 4 support structure with D-tubing - it saves space but still protrudes into the deck space. Having flush supports is a big bonus

A flimsy T-top is often not worth having and the feel of your boat will be way better without it. Folding sounds great but not something you will be prepared to do very often. Sometimes a removable folding Bimini is a better option. Assess your needs and whether your next purchase will fulfill those needs.