Tee Toppers for C/Console

Hi Guys,

Haven't bought my boat yet, but getting close.  Just wondering if anyone has put a tee-topper on their center console and who you got it done by and roughly what it cost.  I haven't decided if I want a permanent one or a fold down one, but thinking having the sturdy locked in one would probably be better.  Just want to be prepared for a few weeks time.

Cheers,

Adam

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Posts: 9358

Date Joined: 21/02/08

Be prepared to bleed there

Sun, 2011-02-20 13:26

Be prepared to bleed there Adam!

Whitworths have a fairly mickey mouse one for $339-$369, depending on the size, but then its a big big jump to Yank ones like Atlantic Tower (handled by Challenge Marine), maybe $2kish?, or Fishmaster (like Alfred's).

As usual, importing from the US is the best deal, but its a bit hard to get Fishmasters here because they refer direct enquiries to a dealer in Qld that charges crazy money for them.

Alfred's is good, but we did duralac all the SS set screws, pin the poles to stop them squeaking and same on the rocket launchers to stop them rotating under heavy loads.

Not sure what you would have to pay a local welder to knock one up, but I can imagine it would be pretty expensive in ali and worse in ss.

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grayzeee's picture

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Date Joined: 09/07/09

steer clear of the cheap ally

Sun, 2011-02-20 14:59

steer clear of the cheap ally ones. had 1 on my plaka and it lasted 4 or 5 trips before loosening up . ripped it off soon after.

buy once , buy right.

worth asking a local welder for a quote for sure.

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mako magic's picture

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if buying the boat in perth

Sun, 2011-02-20 15:01

if buying the boat in perth maybe line up a local person to make a custom, might be a few buck, but in the end alot cheaper than replacing a cheap ali unit, go stainless so you can put your gear up top with confidence

Adam Gallash's picture

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Customs

Sun, 2011-02-20 15:18

Anyone know of any good custom guys? (NoR)

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Man Overboard's picture

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Have a chat to Rod, he is in

Sun, 2011-02-20 17:22

Have a chat to Rod, he is in Joondalup and am sure he can put you onto some good oil

mako magic's picture

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try the guys in malaga adam,

Sun, 2011-02-20 15:22

try the guys in malaga adam, they are very very good, cant remember the name but someone will

alfred's picture

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You can get the Fishmaster

Sun, 2011-02-20 16:46

You can get the Fishmaster units from All Boats, don't know what they would charge though.  If you decide to ship one in, the freight will not be alot as it breaks down to a pretty small package.  You can't buy direct from them, but you can buy from one of their resellers in the US and it will still work out cheaper then a custom one here.  Having said that, a custom top is a custom top and it will be the best you can get for the boat.

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Date Joined: 16/05/09

Get one fabricated to suit

Sun, 2011-02-20 19:01

Get one fabricated to suit your own needs and to suit the boat. May cost a bit more but will be well worth it. There will be good people in Perth you just have to sort out if they know how to fabricate how you want it.

Lastchance's picture

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Date Joined: 02/02/09

Definately agree with

Sun, 2011-02-20 19:30

Definately agree with Billcollector - do it once and get what you want. It may end up more exxy (pardon the pun) than first thought, but definately worth it in the end. Nothing worse than making do with something that isnt exactly what you want.

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Careful...

Sun, 2011-02-20 19:56

 "Nothing worse than making do with something that isnt exactly what you want."

If that was true none of us would stay married..  

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Lastchance's picture

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Excellent piont - I stand

Mon, 2011-02-21 10:08

Excellent piont - I stand corrected!

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Date Joined: 08/03/09

I had mine custom made by

Mon, 2011-02-21 06:50

I had mine custom made by stainless fabricators in the same street as the Trailer Parts place in Bayswater (I think its Katanning St?) and cost was $3,000 + GST.  It is for a 27' centre console so is quite large, should be considerably less for a smaller and less complicated one.  Ask around and take your design and/or photos in and make sure you know tube sizes, rod holder sizes and how many, how high do you want the T top and rodholders, angles for rodholders, do you want fixed holders for outriggers (just 1 rodholder welded at say a 30 deg angle  each side), how do you want it fixed to floor and console etc. and make sure it doesn't obstruct hatches etc.  Best bet is to find a boat similar to yours with what you want and take photos. Good luck....

Adam Gallash's picture

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Photos

Mon, 2011-02-21 07:49

Anyone got any photos that I can check out.  Been on plenty of c\c's and have an idea of a design, be good to get an idea so I can modify mine to suit.  Its rather difficult as I'm buying the boat sight unseen, even though I pretty much know what it is and how its going to be - still hard to envisage exactly what I want.

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The_Wanderer's picture

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Hey adam maybe try Marinline

Mon, 2011-02-21 10:47

Hey adam maybe try Marinline boat builders in Wangara. Alternatively the boys at Commodore Marine import there stainless work in they may be able to help you with something.

 

Rod P's picture

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The only two people worth

Mon, 2011-02-21 11:17

The only two people worth talking to are IMHO Brad Mann from West coast boat builder. 0417937031 or i step better but he is south of the river is Game master marine. Vic is the master and his work will not only look the bom it will last..93371144 On a smallish boat 17 to 18'i would think you'd pay around $1800 to $2300 depending on how big..

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Seen Vic's workmanship and

Mon, 2011-02-21 18:32

Seen Vic's workmanship and it's second to none

Rod P's picture

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Oh and the cheapy ones your

Mon, 2011-02-21 11:19

Oh and the cheapy ones your talking about. A bit of advice you can buy extra fittings, poles and if you look at the unit with a logical head you can strengthen them up nicely..My last one worked a treat and still would have been under $400. But only suited for light reels..

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if you get custom built

Mon, 2011-02-21 11:35

 I'd make provisions for outrigger poles to be mounted on it like below:

 

 

And maybe consider mounting one or more of your radio / CD / sounder / GPS on the underside of the roof like above aslo with the box?

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Adam Gallash's picture

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Cheers

Mon, 2011-02-21 12:42

Cheers for that, some food for thought.  Thanks for the names\numbers Rod, thats about what I'm looking to spend and a pretty similar design too Huggy.

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AllBoatsChandlery's picture

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Date Joined: 17/07/10

Hi Adam

Mon, 2011-02-21 23:04

Im looking at bringing in these new t-tops from qld, made from 60mm heavy duty alloy tube and its folding. as long as your floor is secure then your t-top will be too.

Those cheap ones i have as well from around the $350-$400 but there pretty weak.

I should be selling the cover systems one for $1990.00 inc freight and GST.

Food for thought

Check out my link below.

www.allboatbusiness.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/T-Top-Canopy.jpg

 

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i just done some repairs on a

Sun, 2011-03-13 16:32

i just done some repairs on a ali center console floor, where someone fitted a canopy that was way to heavy and it started to tear the floor take into mind that some boats were not designed to have extra weight bouncing around up high the above design looks good being able to remove the canopy in transite would be a bonus