Adding a crows nest?

[PyrateJIm]

I have a 1989 GW 232 and am wanting to add a 6' - 8' crows nest to her. She had a canvas T-top, but with sun and time, it's up for replacement this winter. This upgrade is all new to me, so I have all kinds of questions I'm hoping those that have done it can help with.
- replace with canvas or go hardtop (carbon fiber most likely)?
-crows nest attachable to what I currently have, with removable front pins to allow it to fold back onto the stern deck for trailering clearances?
-use new hardtop as flooring and just build support around it, or can I go canvas with seperate flooring for crows nest?
-how drastically will a crows nest throw-off my center of gravity?
-any other issues or concerns?

Pics are of the boat and what I currently have. I dont need to have controls for steering up in the crows nest, but am basically wanting a higher vantage point for "sight-seeing", ie... reefing, spotting, fishing, marine life views for the gf and grandbabies. Perhaps a seat instead of "standing only" with a sunbrella top for a little shade.

Thanks for all the input and direction.

 

[SkunkBoat]

Your existing top is designed to stretch canvas over it. It has multiple cross bars and angles.
It won't be easy to mount a hard surface onto that.
Unless they are molded(like the Grady OEM tops) they are usually somewhat flat with a slight arch along the centerline to drain water off the sides.

You might get away with a partial hard surface over the center bars, over top of new canvas...with a leaning post that can fold down.
Not sure how useful that is but Ive seen it done.
Your existing top doesn't have anything useful as a ladder up to the top.

If you are serious about seating up there you are probably going to have to scrap what you have an have a half tower built from scratch


Gulfstreams were sold with Grady hardtops which are pretty beefy. They are also wide and heavy boats for their length.
I'm sure it can handle a hardtop weight.
That said, all boats are more tippy with more weight up high.

 

[DennisG01]

To figure out the high center of gravity and tippiness issue... you might want to throw a couple sheets of 3/4" plywood up there (to help simulate weight of a solid top), along with some extra weight for good measure. Tie it down securely using holes in the plywood in key areas - maybe even use ratchet straps. Then take the boat out on the water and put a couple people up top and see how it feels with people moving around - especially out towards the port/stbd sides of it. I think it would be worth the minimal expense in plywood and time to see if this is a venture worth pursuing.

The building of it and a ladder can be figured out - see if it's worthwhile, first.

 

[Fishtales]

I'd be careful, you could change the characteristics of the boat. The hardtop and frames are usually not rated for people or heavy items like a raft. To be honest, I'd put a fabric roof on her and leave alone - just my 2 pennies.

 

[Fishtales]

https://www.thehulltruth.com/fishin...a-t-top-canvas-replacement-189-any-color.html
saw this on THT...

 

[DogBone]

My 1993 Gulfstream had a custom tower installed by the previous owner. I don't notice any stability issues when driving or anchored. Of course I've only owned it with the tower, and don't know what it felt like before.