secondary market for t-tops - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Jamie M · 08-20-2003, 01:32 PM

A lot of the used boats I've been looking at have t-tops, the cost of which is obviously factored into the asking price. I have no use for a t-top. If I bought a boat that had a t-top, is there any market in which to sell it, or do I just throw it away? Since I'm being charged for it, I'd like to think I could get some of that money back...I'm assuming the t-tops are fairly generic, and in most cases not made for a specific hull model?

striperswiper · 08-20-2003, 01:41 PM

I deal with a few fabricators in my business and I follow the industry from a boating /welding point of view. The custom tops are made for each specific boat. Each one is attached to certain points on the deck or console and may have different bends in the related piping. There are generic types out there that just bolt on also. You may be able to sell a top to someone with a similar boat as long as the contact points are the same...you cant re-bend the fittings you would have to cut and re-weld...not very easy.

Clammer · 08-20-2003, 01:58 PM

order the boat just the way you want it ,don,t pay for equipment you won,t use/////////

JohnR · 08-20-2003, 06:55 PM

depends on the hull model and how long you're willing to let it sit in your backyard

fishaholic18 · 08-20-2003, 08:13 PM

I'm looking for a T-top for my rig. I may be interested if it will fit. PM me with more info.

BigBo · 08-20-2003, 11:17 PM

And if fishaholic18 doesn't want it, I'll buy it from you if it fits my boat. Seriously, let me know. I'm looking right now for one.

Jamie M · 08-21-2003, 07:19 AM

Thanks for the responses. For the fellows that were interested, I don't have the t-top, as I haven't bought a boat yet. I'll be buying something before the sprinh (hopefully), and if I buy used, there's a good chance that the boat will have a t-top that I won't need. I'll post again if that becomes the case.

Thanks,

Jamie

fishsmith · 08-21-2003, 02:44 PM

Why are you against the t-top, the storage is great, and on days like today, any shade is good shade.

mrmacey · 08-21-2003, 03:02 PM

never stay out 12 hrs in this heat without shade I made the mistake once never again I even felt sick the next day!!

Jamie M · 08-22-2003, 06:32 AM

The t-tops definitely help out with rod and PFD storage, and they look really cool when fully loaded with rods. But I find that on a smaller center console (21 feet or so), it really gets in the way of casting.

Also, my most reliable spot in the Mystic River for getting bunker and shad in the fall requires me to get under a bridge, which I would never clear with a t-top. I can't even have my rods in gunnel-mounted rocket launchers, the bridge is that low.