Put a hat on my 2010 Tournament 225

[fitzman]

I recently sold my 04 GW 270 Islander that I slipped up near the Indian River Inlet, DE. It wasn't being used enough and way too much time spent cleaning/maintaining. Great, beautiful boat, but my aging (aching) body was getting less agreeable to all that was involved, including long ocean runs. It was time to change up & downsize. I was looking for something with plenty of room/comfort for me, grandkids, family and friends that I could slip on bayside canal right by the house. Also, I still wanted something capable for ocean fishing when I felt inspired. After lots of research & consideration on what's next, I decided a SUV style boat would fit the bill. I settled on a very clean, local, lift kept 2010 GW Tournament 225 w/low hour Yamaha F250 (380hrs) and known ownership history. This was the last year of the long-running model name before it morphed to the newer Freedom 225 name (2011-2017). It had everything that I was looking for, except for a fiberglass hardtop. My dermatologist constantly reminded me about wearing a hat and keeping my dome covered. After having a hardtop on the Islander, I knew I wanted another, so that was the next mission. A neighbor GW Freedom 225 owner referred me to Fritz @ TTopsetc in DE who designed and built me a very nice, high quality and solid fiberglass hardtop. He's a real talent and has also been doing work for the local Delmarva GW dealerships for many years. Here are some pics of the old 270 and before/after pics of the T225 with the new hat. Tight lines.

 

[Fishtales]

I must say that looks very nice. Were provisions made for a future enclosure if you want to add one?

 

[fitzman]

Thanks Fishtales. Short answer is yes on the enclosure. The original Bimini came with the complete GW factory enclosure set of curtains. The curtains were always properly stored, are in great shape and only used a half dozen or so times in total during the seasonal use life of boat. Plans discussed this week with a local canvas shop to modify & integrate the factory curtains to the new hardtop. I’ll update the post with some pics if/when this all comes together, ideally later this spring sometime.

 

[glacierbaze]

I would get a quote for a custom made enclosure, and then see how much I could sell the bimini canvas, frame, and enclosure for, as a package, and see how the math works out. You will be much happier if it does.
Your bimini frame fits inside the side windows, and appears significantly narrower than the hard top. It also has a lot more arch than the flatter, more rectangular hard top. You should be able to install the enclosure all the way around the bottom, and see what kind of gaps you have to fill, and maybe you and your canvas guy have done this.
Good luck! Love your boat, and your hard top.

 

[Fishtales]

I tend to agree. Trying to re-fit something you have in hand won't look so good and I think the canvas shop will be hesitant to take the job.
I'd get a couple of local shops to give you a quote to make them to fit. Choices for the canvas are sunbrella like material and the Stamoid (more waxy). Look at the latter, it stands up very well.
Glass options exist too GW uses Strataglass which has been very solid for me but the previous Eisenglass was just as good. GW uses Stamoid and Strataglass.
I'd recommend taking them down every year. Wash down, let dry and then use the right cleaner and polish for the plastic glass. For the Strataglass they recommend the IMAR cleaner and polish. Then either roll up of lay flat somewhere if you have space. I've done the former before and used 6" PVC lengths so they don't collapse. I've been laying them flat for 10 years now (have the space). If you do this, you'll get max lifespan. Once you have the enclosure, you can use it as patterns to lower cost if you need to remake. Good luck with the boat, looks like a nice stepdown in size for your use now and much easier to handle - especially alone...

 

[Fishtales]

I keep mine up during the boating season, if you have them made make sure you get provisions like the stock ones to facilitate that. It really makes a difference in keeping the boat clean if on the hook or slip.

 

[glacierbaze]

There are also the hard plastics, like Makrolon aka Tuffak in 0.040 thickness, that do not roll up, if you leave your canvas up most of the time. Storage is a problem if you do want an open boat for the day, but sounds like you are at a home dock. I would definitely want that for the 3 smaller pieces across the windshield, as you can easily remove and store/hang in the head.
Vision is crystal clear if they are fitted correctly, and I guarantee that you will be looking over the windshield far more than looking through it.
A lot of posts about using it on this forum, here is a start:

Search results for query: makrolon

www.greatgrady.com

 

[Fishtales]

Agree, solid option if you can make them work on the particular boat.