Smith T top

[FishNC]

For anyone considering a T Top:
I just completed installing a Smith T Top on my new CS 21 DLV.

I originally installed this top on an older Mako 21....and was completely satisfied with it. Considering the cost of a new custom top and since I already had this one, I decided to move it to my CS. Just wanted to let everyone know these tops, although not custom, will fit CS skiffs.

I think they currently list around $1500 at Boater's World (electronic box not included).
These tops are stainless steel instead of aluminum and I am not sure about the weight difference.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh29/FishNC/sternquarterview.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh29/FishNC/bowportquarter.jpg

[lakebiker]

Looking good. 012

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Looks very nice, i just ordered my boat and they will install a t-top there, i haven't see a picture of it yet, but hope looks good.

[Harry]

Mighty nice job.

Can I ask how you attach to the floor?

Lag bolts or something? Do you catch a stringer beam to bolt into, or just the deck?

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Mighty nice job.

Can I ask how you attach to the floor?

Lag bolts or something? Do you catch a stringer beam to bolt into, or just the deck?


Unfortunally just the deck and ,hope, a lot of 5200. There are no wide stringers on these boats, they are 1/2" plywood stringers going port to starboard as oppose on regular boats.

[Harry]

CS has no wood in there design

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

CS has no wood in there design


004 004 004
Knew that, meant 1/2" fiberglass stringers.
I deal with plywood every day, so as soon as i typed 1/2" my mind was in plywood.

[TooTall]

Looks very nice, i just ordered my boat and they will install a t-top there, i haven't see a picture of it yet, but hope looks good.


NEM
From whom did you order the boat from?
I want to get out to sayville on sunrise hwy there is a big boat dealer out there and I think they have CS.

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Looks very nice, i just ordered my boat and they will install a t-top there, i haven't see a picture of it yet, but hope looks good.


NEM
From whom did you order the boat from?
I want to get out to sayville on sunrise hwy there is a big boat dealer out there and I think they have CS.


I order it from chatlee.
That place you're talking about is white water marine, they are contender and parker dealers.

[FishNC]

Harry,
I used large screws and 5200 to attach the legs to the deck. Each 'leg' also has a stand-off which is through bolted (with backing) to the console. The V in front of the console also is through bolted.

[rsieminski]

Does it rattle, squeek, or chatter while under way?
How did you fish the cables to power the E box up top?

[FishNC]

So far no squeeks or chatter while running. I had this same top on a 21' Mako and was satisfied with it on that boat. I have only made 3 trips with the Skiff everything is fine so far.

All four legs have openings to run wiring up to the top.
I have a main power source direct from the battery to the electronics box for the GPS, Depth/Fishfinder and VHF and deck light. Also ran wiring from the console to the all around white light on the top so it works off the console Nav/Anchor light switch.

The cable from the transducer is run external on one of the T-Top legs to the side of the box......the plug would not fit inside the leg. The transducer is a 'tri-ducer' with speed and water temp in addition to echo sounder and I didn't want to cut this cable.

[Florida Marine]

Nice install. Keep those nuts and bolts tight. I've seen dozens of these tops rattle apart.

[samurai361]

Keep those nuts and bolts tight. I've seen dozens of these tops rattle apart.

I'm wondering if using Lock-Tite on the hardware, would help keep them from coming apart. On any boat, they'd take a pounding. On a flat bottomed boat... well, you guys know.

[bobreeves]

I think Loctite on threaded holes, or elastic stop nuts in place of lock-washers where you have bolts and nuts would help. I used both on trikes I've built which are subject to lots of vibration, and never had any come loose.

[rolivare]

Wow, nice top!