Fishmaster T-Top

[baileydale]

Is there anyone here that has the Fishmaster Folding T-Top ? I know they are a site sponser but I want some owners opnions on their tops. I really like the looks of them; I don't need a folding top but their price is the one top I might be able to afford. Anyone?
Thans,
David

[Harry]

Tdeliman has one,,,,, Check here, http://www.carolinaskiffowner.com/showthread.php?t=2150&highlight=Fishmaster
you might want to PM or e-mail him.

Or maybe he will see this post and chime in for ya

Also see this post Tomytek might have one by now.... http://www.carolinaskiffowner.com/showthread.php?t=2169&highlight=Fishmaster

[baileydale]

Thanks Harry. I tried the search but couldn't get any hits on "T-Top" or "top" or "TOP" or "T" nutin..... what would have worked? Thanks again
David

[Shakespeare]

Try using the key word 'Fishmaster' in your search.

Unfortunately our search engine doesn't work well with "short" key words like "t-top".

Mike C.

[baileydale]

Just for everyone else's info....if you are in the same boat ( pun intended ) as I....I contacted Greg at Fishmasters and he hooked me up with 3 folks that have his tops all within 30 miles of me !!! I've called 2 and am going today to look at their tops; both of them were VERY pleased with their tops !!!
David

[baileydale]

I went and looked at two Fishmaster Folding T-Tops today. One was on a 18 1/5' Sea Pro skiff and the other on a 18' Sundance.... to put it mildly I was VERY impressed !!! I was afraid to order one simply because of the price, I was afraid they would be "skimpy" or just not nice, I was wrong!!! I didn't take a tape with me so measurements are my guess.
The top stood ~ 8 1/5 feet off the deck
Large coverage ~4 1/5' x 5 1/5'
Both had the single standoffs bolted to the windshield grab rail
Large dia. legs and braceing ( web site states 1.9" it looks the same as any other top I have seen )
I am a LARGE guy ( ~300 lbs ) I pushed and pulled on the top quite a bit and was again very impressed with how strudy it was.
Both had the Fishmaster electronics box, good size and very sturdy
The upright folding point is ~4' off the deck, the top , canvis area, then folds. In other words when folded there will be nothing higher than your consoule.
Both the gentlemen that showed me their tops were VERY happy with them and both did their own installations. According to both the install was not hard at all just took some time and paitence. Sorry for the long post but I wanted to share my thoughts. Bottom line on what I thought....I will be ordering mine within the next week !!!
David

[Shakespeare]

Long post? What long post? *006* That's some really good info! Thanks for the report!!! *thumbsup*

Mike C.

[redneckredfishr]

Baileydale,

I had a Fishmaster on my 18ft Sea Pro. I liked the top. The guys and gals at Fishmaster are great people. They took very good care of me.

Because they sell a great top at a great price, they must cut cost somewhere. Based on my experience, I believe they cut the cost with their fasteners. I recommend you buy high quality fasteners for your install.

Bottom line- They produce a great quality top at an unbeatable deal. Great customer service as well.

Redneckredfisher *thumbsup*

[cheez]

The Fishmaster is on my wish list. I will be getting one by next spring.*thumbsup*

[Harry]

David,
Thanks for that report and all the PM info as well.

I too was looking at this top thinking what a GREAT idea, a top that lays down to clear low bridges,,etc at an un-beleivable price, plus shipping ?? What's the catch ?
You always hear, you get what you pay for *006*


Glad you liked what you saw I wish I could see them in person too.
Thanks for the report, let us know when it comes in, how long it took, to arrive and install, and if you take install photo's as you progress that would be AWESOME *Cheers*

redneckredfishr

What kind of fasteners do they use and how does this mount to the floor? Is it connected to the CC in any way?


Cheez
This is going on my wishlist too .... *yay*

[baileydale]

May be just a little longer before I order the top, nothing to do with the top at all. Just a couple of things I need to take care of first.
David

[redneckredfishr]

redneckredfishr

What kind of fasteners do they use and how does this mount to the floor? Is it connected to the CC in any way?

Harry,

They use low-end SS fasteners. The top mounts to the floor just like any other top using #14, 1" - 1 1/4", screws. The top also comes with a stick of round poly that you cut to size to use as your stand-offs for connecting to the center console.

Like I said, all-in-all they have a great product for the money. The top is sturdy, but not as sturdy as a custom top. Also they offer optional quick release knobs for the joints. The knobs work well for the vertical joints; however, I don't recommend them for the canopy joints.

Take a look at the fishmaster manual, it provides pictures and will answer many of your questions.

Link to the fishmaster manual:
http://www.fishmaster.com/pdf/2008%20Fishmaster%20Installation%20and%20Owners%20 Manual.pdf

Great customer service from fishmaster -
Redneckredfishr

[Harry]

Harry,

They use low-end SS fasteners. The top mounts to the floor just like any other top using #14, 1" - 1 1/4", screws. The top also comes with a stick of round poly that you cut to size to use as your stand-offs for connecting to the center console.

Like I said, all-in-all they have a great product for the money. The top is sturdy, but not as sturdy as a custom top. Also they offer optional quick release knobs for the joints. The knobs work well for the vertical joints; however, I don't recommend them for the canopy joints.

Take a look at the fishmaster manual, it provides pictures and will answer many of your questions.

Link to the fishmaster manual:
http://www.fishmaster.com/pdf/2008%20Fishmaster%20Installation%20and%20Owners%20 Manual.pdf

Great customer service from fishmaster -
Redneckredfishr


Thanks Pal.... *thumbsup*

[Fillet1]

For deck mounting on the skiff you could use the deck anchor bolts - they are like wall anchors.