T-top enclosure ideas???

[striperman13]

After a few unbelieveable, but frigid fall/winter cod trips and some wild and wet tuna trips, I have decided to install a canvas enclosure on my t-top. I have a 22' center console (photo attached). Anyone had any experience with them, good or bad? Should I go gunwale to gunwale or just wrap the t-top? How about a spray dodger. Do enclosures have any drastic effect on handling, speed, fuel economy? (now that's an oxymoron). Does someone know of a good fabric fabricator. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[Jacob K.]

i'm not a motor boat owner, but i would think that you would not want to go gunwale to gunwale because it would DRASTICALLY reduce mobility around the boat.

[bones]

Go over to a sail maker shop with your boat and describe what you need. He'll be able to fix you up, I'll bet. Additionally, I'd incorporate a lot of clear plastic in the enclosure, the same flexible stuff they used in the old car convertible tops. Would then be like a sun room insted of a tent. Also, use plenty of zippers, to sort of raise or lower the windows.

[featherbaiter]

I've got the whole setup for my boat and it needs to be really cold to make me put it on. Mine is a 3 piece so it will do just the frame of the t-top and then there are 2 wings that go to the gunwhales on either side. The biggest problem is visibility through the flexible plastic "windows". Everything is distorted and when yoiu get some spray on it, it's impossible to see. Still better than frost bite I guess, but not ideal. I would love to get a one piece wrap around wind screen made from polycarbonate, but don't know where to look to get headed in the right direction. The other problem is that the clear parts get very brittle in the cold.

[outnumbered]

I have a 21' CC Hydrasport and for the same reassons as you had a three sided enclosure made and installed by a fabricator in Marshfield. He did an excellant job. He is a little bit more than most but I've compared his work and at least in my opinion his quality is worth the extra cost.

The glass used on the front and forward sides of the enclsure was thicker and came in a sheet rather than a roll so there is no distortion. The material in the sheet form is much thicker. It cost more but was well worth the price differance of $150 over the thinner material that he used on the sides from my shoulder back. It has a half moon in the front that can be opened and rolled up. There is also extra reinforcement along the glass by the metal supports of the T-Top on the front. I clean mine with a product (the name eludes me right now) that is pricy $10 a can to clean, keeps a nice clear polish on the window that also helps bead the water. If you are interested send me a private message or email and I will send you the name and numer of the individual along with pictures if you want.

There was no noticable differance with handling, fuel or speed of the boat. The only time I would ever notice anything was when docking the boat in gusty winds. Oh yea its also dryer and much warmer when running in the cold.

[Uncle Matt]

I bought the factory outfit through Parker last year with my boat. Only limited use through one season and my only problem was the spray clouding up my visibility. We all know how wet a ride in a Parker can be. So I carry a large spray bottle full of fresh water and clear it off when it gets bad. I also carry some dry soft rags and a handheld squeegee. Better than nothing I guess.

[striperman13]

Thanks for all the info, I like the ideaa of a rigid plastic front windshield rather than flexible. My boat is stored indoors when not in use so the UV rays won't ruin it too quickly. I also like the idea of seperate side panels that could roll up when not in use. Keep the ideas coming.

[FireFly]

My solution is to wear warm clothes and rain gear. If I get sprayed then at least I'll stay dry. I don't like the idea of limiting my visibility with the enclosure but I would guess some like the set up.

[striperman13]

Good point about reduced visibility. The superior visibility is one thing I like about a center console vs a walkaround or cuddy, especially when running in the dark. I have heard stories of some close calls while running at night and most are due to poor visibility frrom the cockpit. I saw an ad for a material called EZ2CY, which is used for enclosures on high end boats. It is billed to be as clear and long lasting as glass. I wonder if they could encorperate some of that in a t-top enclosure. I would most likely remove the whole thing in the summer but after a few runs to around CC Bay in 40 degree weather I am almost convinced it would be a good investment. The wind chill factor of a constant, wet, 50 mph, 40 degree wind in your face for up to an hour at a time cools you off no matter how much gear you are wearing.

[steve47]

My last boat had a three sided enclosure and I loved it. Presently I have only a front clear plastic which is nice but I believe the three sided with wings is the way to go. Outnumbered had excellent recommendations especially about the quality of the plastic. I believe the cleaner he spoke of is called "210". I use it and it is excellent. I have seen his enclosure and it is 1st class. Some comments were made about times that you may not want it in place. The wings can easily be stored away and the rest can be rolled up. It is an easy process. If you trailer you would probably want to roll it especially if you are going more than a couple miles. Last thought, if you have an enclosure that completly surrounds the leaning post it can feel a bit to confining.

[NickB]

We have a three sided gunwale to gunwale enclosure with EZ2CY. They have been on the boat for four years and still look like new. They are very rigid and the view is like looking out glass. We wash them down in and out after every trip with soap and water thats it. I guess the only down side is that they can not be rolled up.

[flynny]

I bought a used CC last year and this is the set-up it had - the wings snap into the gunnel if the weather gets nasty, otherwise snap right into the center console. Or you can take them right off and just snap them back on if you anticipate foul weather. Also, the front window rolls up and snaps to give you better visibility and cuts down on wind resistance. (first time downlaoding images so hopefuly it worked). Hopefully this will give you another idea to go with.

[dogfather]

I had a 3-sided enclosure made for my Hydra-Sports at Ken's Canvas in Barrington RI. His execution of the design (mine) was nearly perfect, even though we never made a sketch. The sides (removeable) are 2-piece each side, one long in the rear and one short in the front, and attach to the t-top by a track, and at the gunwale with a zipper. I often only use the front side-piece. They can be rolled up or folded back when fishing. The front is fixed in front of the factory windshield. The "glass" is Stratoglass, and has almost no distortion.
Speed is reduced by about 5 knots at w.o.t.. I'm certain that there is a change in fuel economy, but can't quantify. It's as warm as a greenhouse in winter.

[capecanvas]

You have lots of choices- The best possible set up for a t-top enclosure would be a rigid front enclosure, with Flexible wings. Less expensive and more convertible would be an all flexible enclosure. Pics and details at my site [ There is a t top enclosure gallery and a detailed explanation and video in the project notes section. For Rigid I Make Rainier windows which use a uv stabilized form of polycarbonate. ez2cy is the other rigid choice, they use a rubberized acryllic which looks the same (like glass) but can be prone to shattering. I try to make the front part permanent, replacing the factory shield. If removability is important, I suggest Strataglass Vinyl- it has a scratch resistant clear-coat and is very clear. DO NOT let anyone build you a windshield curtain that touches the factory windshield while under way. the chafe will ruin both. I like to run the wings all the way to the deck for maximum protection, but that only works if it is easy to roll them up, or remove them all together for fishing. Our design features an unbroken wing zipper so quick access forward is easy and the wings can go away faster than you can rig your next bait. Bottom line- design counts. The fishability of an enclosure comes down to the details. Make sure your canvas shop understands your needs, and can accommodate them. You should play a central roll in the design process, so nobody puts a window in front of your outrigger.