The dilemma of adding a T-top to a 18'5 is will I gain space or lose it. rods & electronics on top vs. loseing casting space. I could care less about the sun top...thats what sunscreen and hats are for. IMO on a boat that size its toss up.

This season on the water I seen the pertfect t-top(sorta) for smaller boats. A pipe came up on each side of the forward console and bent towards the drivers head. You could still have electr. and rods on top even add a wind sheild. Its like an upside down L but not as sqaure.....looks good too.

At the prov. boat show I asked a few of the custom t-top makers if they had ever done one....looked at me like I had two heads. Has anyone ever seen such a top or any input?? Thanks

Tony, my input would be wait till you get a bigger boat in the mean time wax on, wax off.

Goose, take a look at the one on THE Clammas boat. It's a good place to start. You'll lose very little space.

had a 21' center and put a t-top on it- big plus in my book, great place for antennas( or is that antennei ), electronics box ( plus a little more dry storage ), and five more rod holders, plus sun and rain protection. had ricky at thurston towers make it for me. go patriots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi goose, hope it wasnt me ya talked to. to answer your ??? you can do a arch kinda like a radar arch that you on would see on a larger w/a. ables you to keep a ebox up also all ant .etc you can also put a small shade..3 ft wide by 2 ft front to back over driver. you would loose app 3 inches on each side...can be built custom to your specs....jim....:happy: any ??? happy to answer.....

That sounds like the one I seen, any pics available on the net?

Tony I had made to my specs /by a place in Fall RIver // I really like the way it came out ///its not in the way at all // its great to stop the wind & rain // & it holds my two antenna,s /plus I had my stern light have mounted on top === so #1, its more visable & #2 == its not in the way /as in the stern ///
I,m very satisfied the I had mine done /////////I bet I don,t loose 5% of space **************

With the right design it could look great. Like the guys said above you will gain a place/places for antennas, maybe some rod storage etc etc ... curtains could be put up which are a big plus in colder weather.

There are several boats down here in your size range that have them and they look great .... A Scout 18 the other a Parker 18. I'll have to see if I can find you some pictures ....

The marina I'm in has had a 17 Mako with a small hard top ... Legs mounted through the console like you said. A small radio box and rocket launcher. Antennas on the top .... It actually looked great.

You don’t see a lot of them .. but done right (built in proportion to the boat) they do look good and are functional.

Mike, your Top and boat is a sweet match. I'm not sure but isn't yours a 20'? If so 2 feet makes a big difference.. especialy off the front deck. I've seen boats to 16' with t-tops....they lose space Imo. Seaswirls have a very sterdy rails and consloe, unlike alot of other hulls of the same size. Down gradeing the rail size is not an option.

Well .... not one of the 18's but this one is only a foot longer (19'6') but a very well thought out and designed top ....If I recall this guy used this boat to fly fish off of ...

I betcha JohnR remembers this one !!

hi finesse, nice name! - fin-ness on tht.

It's a big plus other then windage.

WHoever design/ builds it, make sure they don't screw up your ability to use vertical rod holders on the side of the cc.

Tony there is a great place just off RT 24 on 81 in Tiverton. If you would like to take a ride over and talk to the guy let me know. He made a few radar arches for Don's for the same boat as mine and they looked REAL good. If Jane does not get the 23' I am thinking of getting one for the 21.:)

no idea how these affect the buoyancy of your boat, but instead of a t-top how bout a small pilot house, I think their called dog houses. I like all the dry storage and being able to walk out of the elements.