FunFlatsFishing Posted July 2, 2016 Report Share Posted July 2, 2016 Every time I bring people on my boat I get the same question "when are you getting a T Top?". I usually respond with "whenever you get a boat" Anyways, how many of you have T tops and do you like them? The boat is a 2200V TE so I'm wondering how it would look with the skinnier console. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchern Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 I have a TTop and absolutely love it. Wouldn't have a boat in south Florida without one. Actually, I did and quickly installed one. It's just makes for a more comfortable day(at least 10 degrees cooler in the shade). It doesn't interfere with the way I fish but my boat is 24'. You may give up some speed and the ability to get under a small bridge but in my opinion it's worth it. You also get additional rod holders and a place for overhead and spreader lights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RICH12 Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 Looks are one thing, but functionality matters most imo. I think one must consider how one uses the boat for the majority of the time. I hate a t top because I fish inshore alot and cast. Gets in the way, especially if one is on the back of the boat. If I trolled alot or was a water taxi to the sandbar, then I would think differently. Jp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jchern Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 Rich, I see what you mean but I too fish inshore the majority of the time( and fly fish as well) and I haven't had an issue with the top getting in the way. Maybe it's a preference thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 would not have a boat without one, love mine. does not hamper my fishing at all be it on the bow or stern. this includes pitching into the mangroves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernieNC Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 T Top is a must have for me as well. Fish inshore w/ no problems. Trolling for Kings or Spanish is no fun in the sun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Jazzy Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 I agree. I've never not had a T-top until now and I wish I had one. Never had a problem with one getting in the way while fishing and I like fishing from the rear a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Tyler Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 I don't have one on my 22TE as of now....but I think that's going to change next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted July 3, 2016 Report Share Posted July 3, 2016 Have you looked at the Shade Blade? They have several sizes to choose from (mine is 7 x 11). You can remove the rear straps when fishing and the whole thing is removable and stores in a bag. Guaranteed to 50 mph. http://www.tuuci.com/product/42/tuuci-shade-blade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smooth move Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 i like them for offshore stuff, but i fish the bay and backwaters and it gets in the way. pretty nice though when it 90 plus degrees out there. i get by with a bimini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mellow Yellow 1806V Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 T tops get in the way for me. I mainly fish inshore though and do alot of casting. I keep a beach umbrella in my boat though. There is absolutely no shade in the marsh in LA where I fish so when we get hot and wana take a break we just drop the umbrella in one of the center console rod holders and sit in the shade for a minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogan Master Posted July 4, 2016 Report Share Posted July 4, 2016 23 hours ago, SCFD rtrd. said: Have you looked at the Shade Blade? They have several sizes to choose from (mine is 7 x 11). You can remove the rear straps when fishing and the whole thing is removable and stores in a bag. Guaranteed to 50 mph. http://www.tuuci.com/product/42/tuuci-shade-blade What is the ballpark pricing on the Tuuci, I assume 1200-1700? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowcountry Joe Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 I've had a T-Top since day one and I wouldn't own a boat without one. I fish the skinny water around the low country of SC and have never had a problem casting both spinning and fly rods. It provides some relief on sunny days plus all the advantages others have noted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 17 hours ago, Mogan Master said: What is the ballpark pricing on the Tuuci, I assume 1200-1700? Depends on the size and whether or not you have a local retailer. If no retailer within a reasonable distance, then you order direct from the factory in Miami and save some $. Mine was $2,400 delivered. I was quoted $1,900 for a 7 X 10 then you have to add delivery. That's probably close to the price of a T-top, but I'm just not ready for anything permanent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 I have the shade blade on the pathfinder and where's the fish has one on his maverick. Works well for us in the keys and we stick it in the bag when we are done with it. We use it both inshore and offshore and it doesn't get in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lap it Up Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 My brother in law fishes a 22 with a top. It feels tight when fishing 3 / 4 people. I wouldn't have a Bay Boat with a ttop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackacre Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 To each their own, but I would not own a bay boat with a t-top. 90% of the time I am on my boat, I am fishing for redfish, trout or tarpon. I almost exclusively use artificials and feel a t-top would be in the way of casting. This is especially true if you are fishing more than 2 people. You would be hard pressed to find to find a bay boat with a t-top fishing any of the serious inshore tournaments in my area. I do have a removable bimini top. I use the bimini top on family trips to the sandbar and it provides more shade than a t-top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The BFOQ Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 I've got what is called a "K-Top," which some of the south Texas folks have used for years. The surface area of the top is a bit smaller than the typical T-top (mostly just narrower), but it mounts into the console, not the floor. So it doesn't disrupt your walk around space. The console has to be thoroughly glassed in to make the K-top work, but to me it's the perfect compromise between a big T-top that can get in the way and something make-shift (like sticking an umbrella in a rod holder). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 BFOQ : that top looks nice ! are the support tubes bolted onto the console ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The BFOQ Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 7 minutes ago, fishmanjj said: BFOQ : that top looks nice ! are the support tubes bolted onto the console ? Yes. You can see in the picture that the forward support tube is bolted just below the windshield on both sides and the aft support tubes are bolted to the console just below the steering wheel. The top has Velcro flaps that open up so rods can stick through the top and still fit in the rod holders mounted to the base of the console. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieselp29 Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 Installed custom made TTop on my 24TE. The top is extra wide going almost gunnel to gunnel and extended front and back. Great amount of shade and lost very little if any off my top end. Had it slightly tilted down in the front, which at high speed running angle does not catch any air. That is what ultimately impacts your top end! PS: Love the top and my wife and dogs love me more for the shade I provided!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Tyler Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 2 hours ago, The BFOQ said: I've got what is called a "K-Top," which some of the south Texas folks have used for years. The surface area of the top is a bit smaller than the typical T-top (mostly just narrower), but it mounts into the console, not the floor. So it doesn't disrupt your walk around space. The console has to be thoroughly glassed in to make the K-top work, but to me it's the perfect compromise between a big T-top that can get in the way and something make-shift (like sticking an umbrella in a rod holder). That's a nice looking top, especially for someone who is looking for a compromise. Where did you get that built? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The BFOQ Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 25 minutes ago, Capt. Tyler said: That's a nice looking top, especially for someone who is looking for a compromise. Where did you get that built? The prior owner had the work done by Coastal Aluminum in Aransas Pass, TX. She's been mine since 2010. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunFlatsFishing Posted July 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 3 hours ago, The BFOQ said: I've got what is called a "K-Top," which some of the south Texas folks have used for years. The surface area of the top is a bit smaller than the typical T-top (mostly just narrower), but it mounts into the console, not the floor. So it doesn't disrupt your walk around space. The console has to be thoroughly glassed in to make the K-top work, but to me it's the perfect compromise between a big T-top that can get in the way and something make-shift (like sticking an umbrella in a rod holder). What modifications were made to the console? How does it do while towing the boat 65 mph down the highway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The BFOQ Posted July 5, 2016 Report Share Posted July 5, 2016 The console was fully glassed into the deck, all the way around the bottom of the inside and additionally reinforced up the sides to the places where the tubing meets the console. We don't have much reason to trailer it at high speed, but it made the 11-hour trip up from Aransas Pass, TX to Orange Beach, AL at regular interstate speeds without any issues. I have expected that over time I might get more spider cracks around my console than boats of comparable age with floor mounted tops. There are a few hairline spider cracks on the deck near the console, but based on what I've seen on other Pathys of similar age, I don't think I can attribute those to the K-top. I've had no issues with the console mounts or K-top at all. 10 years later and all outdoor storage, I haven't even had a reason to replace the canvas yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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