Anyone have a convertible top?

[brad10281]

I've been thinking about purchasing a convertible top to keep the spray off of us while on the big lakes and to maybe extend the boating season as it will/should provide a better wind barrier than the windshield alone. Anyone have one of these on their sport boat? I'd love to see some pics. I was quoted $433.35 from Great Lakes Boat Top which is about $100 cheaper than the dealer quoted me. I'm still trying to find out if the $433.35 includes all the hardware. Anyways, I'd love to hear opinions on this.

 

[billandamy]

I have never seen one personally, but I think it is a good idea for cruising around.

*sigh* Malibu has a heater in their towboats for late fall and early spring wakeboarding.

 

[brad10281]

*sigh* Malibu has a heater in their towboats for late fall and early spring wakeboarding.

I think I rather have the heater in the wakeboard :lol:

 

[billandamy]

I think I rather have the heater in the wakeboard :lol:

lol...actually, the warmest spot is on the board, believe it or not! For the first minute or two it is cold, then you warm up real fast doing everything.

It is when you get out that the little guy turns into a turtle.

 

[GJarrett]

What was the subject again? :smt017 Oh yeah, convertible tops.

We've got one on our 230 Sundancer. We have a full camper enclosure but the front half is a convertible top style instead of a bimini, so it's lower to the windshield than a bimini is when we have it up.

To extend your boating season in a sport boat it may be a perfect solution, but I do feel a need to let you know what it feels like. I'd really like mine taller ala bimini height. With the convertible top deployed, I lose a lot of view and sometimes feel like I'm peering through a pillbox portal while underway. It really feels claustrophobic to me. As a result I tend to only have it deployed during inclement weather and keep it rolled up at all other times.

To get an idea of the view, take a tarp and lay it on top of your windshield so that the only view you have is only through the windshield, then sit in the captain's chair and imagine that's the view you'll be having while you cruise across the lake. Of course the convertible top goes higher than the tarp will be laying, but the point I am making is that the view you have of the outside will be same: only through the glass of the windshield.

The convertible top is a great mod, but I just wanted you to be aware of what the world really looks like when you're under one.

 

[chuck1]

Good point about the convertible top Gerald.

Brad - When Great Lakes gave you the quote, was it for a Convertible or Camper top? The camper top works great in the Winter. Plus if you want heat just add an inverter like I did on MS Judy then just plug in your heater.

 

[brad10281]

Gerald,
That is one thing that worries me. I do most of my driving standing up looking over the windshield so it does concern me, but if it makes the difference between going out or staying home then I'll take the chance.

Chuck,
They don't make a camper canvas for the 185 that I know of. I know that Midway (a member here) had a custom enclosure made. Midway, if you read this I'd love to know what it cost you to have that enclosure made for your 185.

I'd love to upgrade to a Sundeck but they're just too big for my neck of the woods. I have a couple bridges that I pass under that only gives my 185 about 3" of clearance.

 

[GJarrett]

Well that answers your question right then and there. No bimini top or higher canvas will allow you to continue boating because of those bridges and the convertible top is the only way to go. Considering all the costs of boat ownership, I think spending less than $500 to get weather protection + a lot more boating season is a no-brainer: ~ even if you lose some of the view and have to sit in the captain's chair instead of stand in front of it.

 

[brad10281]

Well that answers your question right then and there. No bimini top or higher canvas will allow you to continue boating because of those bridges and the convertible top is the only way to go.

Fortunately, these are not my "regular" lakes...but they are some of the better ones. I just lay the bimini down when going under them. My point was that I don't think I'd be able to get a 220 Sundeck under them. I would love the 220SD with a camper canvas...I need to move to "big(ger) boat" friendly lake.

 

[frome]

Brad, did you ever get the top? We just bought an 02 176BR and were talking about adding either a convertible or a bimini. Was the reduced visibility an issue? We're leaning towards the convertible, as here on the OR coast the wind can get a bit...brisk. :smt001 But then, until I saw this thread, I never thought about the reduced visibility vs. the bimini, which would only help with the sun, not the wind.

Anyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SeaRay]

I have a convertible top on my 210 BR. I do not have a bimini but would like to have one.

If you are used to driving the boat by looking over the windshield it does get in the way. I have tried to keep it up while under way but I don't feel comfortable, especially if we are pulling someone on a wakeboard, in a tube, etc. So I end up taking it down. If you are cruising around where there aren't a lot of boats it might not be too bad. You just have to be extra careful.

The convertible top probably gives you more shade then the bimini because it is lower. So when we stop I will put it up. It goes up fairly quick with 2 people.

If I had a Bimini I would keep it up all the time but would probably complain that the sun gets underneath it and only shades the other side of the boat or the water.....

We do use the convertible top and rear cover if we camp and decide to sleep in the boat, it works great for that too.

 

[mjrubino]

Brad, did you ever get the top? We just bought an 02 176BR and were talking about adding either a convertible or a bimini. Was the reduced visibility an issue? We're leaning towards the convertible, as here on the OR coast the wind can get a bit...brisk. :smt001 But then, until I saw this thread, I never thought about the reduced visibility vs. the bimini, which would only help with the sun, not the wind.

Anyone's thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

The front piece of my camper top puzzle snaps to the top of the windshield then zips to the front end of the bimini top. It also has three windows sewn in. That gives me the height clearance of a bimini with the "enclosureness" of a convertible top, all while letting me see where I'm going.

I wish I had a photo that showed the front of my enclosure to make it a little more clear. It kinda looks like an extension of the windshield all the way to the bimini, I guess

 

[brad10281]

Brad, did you ever get the top?

Unfortunately my finances haven't allowed me to make the purchase. I've seen two other 185 owners with custom tops made that attach to the bimini. It looks a little funny on the 185 but I'm leaning toward that option over the convertible top. Go to the memberlist here on CSR and look up the username "Midway", find his pictures and you'll see what I'm talking about. I have to start focusing on getting out of debt before I put anymore money into the boat.

 

[Matt Winans]

Unfortunately my finances haven't allowed me to make the purchase. I've seen two other 185 owners with custom tops made that attach to the bimini. It looks a little funny on the 185 but I'm leaning toward that option over the convertible top. Go to the memberlist here on CSR and look up the username "Midway", find his pictures and you'll see what I'm talking about. I have to start focusing on getting out of debt before I put anymore money into the boat.

Hi Brad,
I have been looking for one of these tops myself. If I could find the frame I think I could get the cover done.
I wonder if we could cut down and modify a 3 rib Bimini ?
UPDATE: I see this post was from 2009... LOL