Bimini Top Center

Hey you avid boaters & fishermen out there - I am wondering something that I'm sure many of you fellows have questioned as well - I had one boat I bought new in 1999, a 21 ft Century center console, that came from the factory with a super nice, really large heavy duty T-Top with beautiful rocket launchers on the back & the square spotter headlights mounted on the front edge - Also had the nice electronics equipment boxes, etc. I sold that boat (like an idiot) in 2005, and bought a slightly smaller 20' center console without a T-top. Still a nice boat, but man did I ever miss that T-Top !! So I priced them - both from the boat manufacturer & boat dealerships that sell them, and also looked at some aftermarket companies that make T-Tops for center consoles - Holy Cow - Couldn't believe the prices - Just the T-tops were like 3500 to 4000 dollars, plus installations costs !!
What is the big deal about T-tops that make them as expensive as gold or platinum ?!!! I mean come on boat companies, its just a tubular frame made of aluminum, welded together with a Sunbrella piece of fabric stretched over the top (NOT even that much fabric when you think about it either!! Not like a bimini top) What gives on these T-Top prices, does anyone understand it? Anyone know of a more reasonable & realistic (lower) priced manufacturer that makes/sells aftermarket T-tops for center console fishing boats? I would think it would be possible to get a nice basic one for $1500 bucks, if you think about it. I just do Not get it - these high prices on t-tops.
Help please !!
Mark, Rich, thanks for really good helpful info - DIPSYDOO however, why do you even both posting your bullsh*t answer? I am 50, have lived on water since I was born (I am staring at my fishing boat at my dock up on lift as I write this, 100 ft away from me), I've HAD over 3 dozen boats in my life, so Please DIPSY don't preach to me about money and not affording a boat, going cheap, etc. If u go to the website Mark posted in the First (helpful) answer, you'll find a GREAT high quality builder in NJ who sells a beautiful heavy duty T-Top (schedule 40 marine grade aluminum 1.9 od) with Sunbrella (also the best material) for EXACTLY what I said in my initial question - $1500.
Thanks Mark !! So DIPSY, go ahead if you prefer and pay $4,000 for a T-Top. I'll buy the same one and save $2,500 thanks to Mark's good advice.

Try these guys:


http://www.atlantictowers.com/

my friend got an arch from them and it looks great.

2009-11-13 16:42:16 by BP

www.biminitops.com.au The Fishing Boat Targa Top features :- Heaps of access to the water - distinctive from a bimini top setup, anglersmay fish ...

The 1994 Sea Pro is an 18ft 190DC (Dual Console) and has a 140hp Tohatsu engine with about 90 hours. The Sea Pro boat comes with a bimini top, depth finder, fishing gear, and is in emaculate condition. The man selling it is the second owner and wants $8900, 35% above NADA, but the boat is in great shape. The 2001 Carolina Skiff is a Center Console 21ft Sea Chaser 210 with a 115hp Johnson with unknown hours. It comes with a bimini top, fish finder, GPS, and two way radio but has very minor damage along the edges from bumping into the dock. The man selling it is the first owner and wants $12,000 but will negotiate. This will be my first boat and I like the Dual Console and the condition of the Sea Pro, but the Carolina Skiff is newer and has a more popular engine which might make it easier to service. The Sea Pro has individual seats which I like better than the Bench seats on the Carolina Skiff. Although the Sea Pro is over NADA, it has many extras, as does the Carolina Skiff.
More info on the Sea Pro: It also comes with an engine cover and a custom boat cover. Both guys claim to have all original boxes and manuals for all of the equipment. I have been on the water with the Sea Pro and will be going out on the Carolina Skiff this weekend. The Sea Pro had a slight surge but the man says he can correct it with very minor repair. If I choose this one, I will ask him to make the repair with a promise to purchase if it does not surge the second time in the water. I am open for any advice or suggestions as to buying a boat or the dependability of either of these boats.
I need to correct myself on the Carolina Skiff. It is actually a Sea Chaser by Carolina Skiff. I have been told that the hull is not shaped the same even though it is made by the same company.

personaly i would go with the carolina skiff because it will be more stable on the water ecspecially if your going to take it out on the ocean and for fishing the sea pro will eventually get those minor scratches also and i wouldnt buy anything with a surge because that could be dangerous i own a 24.5 foot carolina skiff sea chaser bay boat from 2005 and its great plus the johnson engine is better then the tahatusu but im assuming its 2 stroke right.... welll so yes teh carolina skiff is deffintly the better choice have fun boating i love it or if you want a different boat check these out they can go in very shallow water www.dolphinboats.com

2006-08-30 05:00:18 by Veg Linz

Price: $49.99 $31.63

Main compartment has a nylon zipper
Boating and sailing accessory type furniture and fixtures
Brand: Kwik Tek