Fitting a used hardtop

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Chet96

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Hello, wanted to get some opinions on looks and function of adding a used hardtop on my 96 208. Ideally mounting it around the cuddy would be nice, but would really have to hack this thing up. Rear supports fit on gunnels perfectly with easy access to bolt through and front legs would be real close with extensions to mount right in front of windshield. Then just make a soft top for it. Wanted to know if anyone else has mounted a top to the outside like this before and if they have any pictures. Positives and negatives?
 
This is what I’m working with
 

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You are better off having one made locally. No mention of where you are located. You can go with a cored fiberglass top or an aluminum frame with thin fiberglass sheet top and bottom. Used tops are problematic. Not fitting and in bad shape.
 
Chet96 said:
Hello, wanted to get some opinions on looks and function of adding a used hardtop on my 96 208. Ideally mounting it around the cuddy would be nice, but would really have to hack this thing up. Rear supports fit on gunnels perfectly with easy access to bolt through and front legs would be real close with extensions to mount right in front of windshield. Then just make a soft top for it. Wanted to know if anyone else has mounted a top to the outside like this before and if they have any pictures. Positives and negatives?
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Pictures? It looks like you have your own picture there - which is better than anyone else's, anyways :)

'Bout the only downside I can think of is it's more awkward to walk to the bow with your fishing rod if you've got a fish on. If that's not a concern for you, then I can't really think of anything else. In the end, though, all that really matters is what's important to you. It sounds like you've got the install pretty much figured out... go for it!
 
I’m in Cleveland, Ohio area. Not too many places to work with these specifically. It would be a shop who probably never messed with boats but could bend and weld. Not to mention probably cost about 3k. I picked this thing up for $50 so it’s basically costing me maybe $200 for some odds and ends. Trolling the Great Lakes you are never in a position to fight a fish around a boat. Honestly I think it looks a little goofy but it’s had to say since it’s not complete. I might just cut it in half and shrink it in. I’ll post the finished product when or if I end up completing this
 
$50 covers a WHOLE lot of goofiness! :)

Honestly, I think it looks just fine. Aluminum radar arches often span gunwale to gunwale. Besides, it give you more shade than a regular top. If it was me... mount it up and go boating!

Cutting it in half will be harder than you think. You'll also need to change the feet/angle on the bottom so the rear legs can attach to the sidewall of the cabin. And you're going to have to be very exact with your measurements.

That said, a good welder doesn't need to know anything about boats to do this job. I am SURE there are some excellent welders in a big city like that.
 
Not a top, but I put a full width arch/rocket launcher on a Tournament 22, and loved it. Added an over sized bimini, and had great shade, and 8 rod holders.
What are we seeing in your pic? The front, where the person in the brown shirt is holding, looks like it angles down, like a windscreen.IMG_4072.jpegIMG_2366.jpeg
 
I think one of the biggest problems you'll face with a top like that on a walkaround boat is that, depending on where you mount it, you're likely going to smack your head on the tubing or old holders every time you step up onto the walkaround portion of the boat when walking up to the bow. If possible, I'd maybe try to mount it in a location to where that won't happen. Though, I'm not sure that will be possible as the supports are mounted on the top of the gunwales. That's why walkaround styles of boats typically always have the hardtop mounted inward next to the frame on the windows and windshield, as opposed to open bow or dual console boats that are typically mounted to the gunwales. I think you'll either need to add some more height to what you've got or you'll have to mount it elsewhere, depending on how much height clearance you have already. Though if you, or whoever the person is in the brown shirt up on the boat, who appears to be standing taller than the hardtop, I can't imagine you've got the clearance to walkaround without hitting your head on something.
 
Yes, it does oddly angle down almost like a wind screen. Not sure what kind or style boat this thing came off of. I was considering cutting that section out only because it seems it may interfere with vision sticking that far out and down. You would definitely need to duck a bit to get to the front of the boat but it’s only until your past the windshield then could stand freely again, not too big of a deal but also not ideal…a lot to think about here before I drill holes and start to fabricate.
 
Chet96 said:
Yes, it does oddly angle down almost like a wind screen. Not sure what kind or style boat this thing came off of. I was considering cutting that section out only because it seems it may interfere with vision sticking that far out and down. You would definitely need to duck a bit to get to the front of the boat but it’s only until your past the windshield then could stand freely again, not too big of a deal but also not ideal…a lot to think about here before I drill holes and start to fabricate.
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Considering it only cost you $50 to buy, I'd do whatever you need to in order for it to work out the best for you, and especially don't worry about modifying it too much considering again, you only bought it for $50.
 
Thinking of if this was mine... An option would be to lengthen each leg to make it higher so you don't have to duck under the front - but then the whole thing would be too high and not an effective sunshade. Ducking isn't that big of a deal, but I I would take it to a local welder and have cut/remount the front section so it was straight. I don't think that will cost all that much, actually. They might be a good source for some extra tubing that you could buy at a decent price for the front supports that you have to fab.

Atlantic Towers may be a good source for the adjustable fittings you'd need for the front - and the welder can help with any of those fittings that may need to be welded, too.
 
Thanks DennisG01, yes Atlantic towers adjustable fittings look like they are going to make this a lot easier
 
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