Boating How-To’s - converting factory T-Top to a folding T-Top?

Has anybody had any experience with or seen anyone who converted a fixed t-top to a folding t-top for storage? Or know of a good aluminum top welder good at engineering out problems? I have a huge climate controled shop (square footage wise but the ceiling is only 9 feet) and I'd like to use it for storage. I know you can purchase folding tops from fishmaster, stryker, and birdsall but what about converting an existing top? I've scoured the internet and THT but haven't had much luck. I would think this is a common problem but there may not be a good solution which would be why I can’t find much info on the topic….examples of preconstructed folding tops:

http://www.strykerttops.com/v/vspfil...ucts/sg600.asp

http://www.marineproducts.net/produc...ding-Tops.html

http://www.fishmaster.com/

Some people will have a welder cut all 4 legs near the top of the console then add joints with allen wrench bolts. Then the top part can be removed and stored and have them make two extra bars to put on when the top is not on there makeng grab bars on either side of the console. Then you can decide when you do or don't want your t top.

Some people will have a welder cut all 4 legs near the top of the console then add joints with allen wrench bolts. Then the top part can be removed and stored and have them make two extra bars to put on when the top is not on there makeng grab bars on either side of the console. Then you can decide when you do or don't want your t top.

I hadn't thought about that option but removable would be just as effective.

I agree because folding doesn't do anymore for you; it's not like you can fish with it folded down.

It is much easier to make an existing T-top removable for storage vs. folding. It's usually about half the price to make one removable vs. folding because when things fold, especially when they were designed to not do so, it adds a lot of extra time and the proper fittings are needed to do it correctly. I've modified several T-tops to fold or to be removed so if you have any specific questions please ask.

Brad

I’m almost embarrassed to admit that all the while that I have been researching and brainstorming this out it never dawned on me to just make it removable. I guess the fact that there are already manufaturers of folding tops that it just pingeon holed my thought process.....I'm far from an engineer. Ease or time constraints aren’t an issue and I’d much rather have something that is more effective sturdy and functional over something that is easy. what is a ballpark of what something like that would cost? $500? $100? $1,000?

Thanks for the input

I’m almost embarrassed to admit that all the while that I have been researching and brainstorming this out it never dawned on me to just make it removable. I guess the fact that there are already manufaturers of folding tops that it just pingeon holed my thought process.....I'm far from an engineer. Ease or time constraints aren’t an issue and I’d much rather have something that is more effective sturdy and functional over something that is easy. what is a ballpark of what something like that would cost? $500? $100? $1,000?

Thanks for the input

The downsides to making it removable vs. folding is that it will probably need more than one person to remove it (unless it's a small top) and any wiring that runs through the top will have to be re-engineered by adding connectors inside the T-top legs. If it's only needed for storage making it removable is probably a lot easier.

Converting to a folding top has a lot of challenges. First is that the top has to be narrow enough to fit between the gunwales when it folds down. The top itself must also fold - if it is not a regular canvas top that can cause problems as the material may not like being folded. The geometry of the top as it folds needs to be carefully worked out otherwise it may not be much lower when folded. If you have antennas, outriggers etc. on the top it can complicate it further. The wiring is not so much of a problem as the hinge joints can allow the wire to be routed continuously through the legs. You can see pictures on Birdsall's site - I have fixed the link from the post above:

http://www.marineproducts.net/products/Folding-Tops.html

I have a Birdsall folding top - it's very well made.

Ed

what is a ballpark of what something like that would cost? $500? $100? $1,000?

Without seeing the top...around $450 would be close starting price for a top with a basic type setup and would go up depending on the complexity of the top and any rigging. edk's comment about rigging is true but it can be done cleanly.