What is the largest center console deep-V or hybrid-bay boat withOUT a T-top?
#1

Due to height restrictions in a dry storage rack, interested in 23 to 26 foot center consoles withOUT a factory installed T-top. The after-market folding T-tops (such as Fishmaster) seem like a good option for limited height dry rack space.
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#5
Senior Member


T-tops are an option on most boats. You have the base price of the boat that usually includes the hull, a steering station and not much more, then you start adding $$$.
#6
Senior Member

I have a bridge clearance issue, so height was a serious concern while shopping for my next CC.
What I found was pretty much every boat I looked at had a “standard” hard top.
Robalo
Sportsman
Tidewater
Scout
Sea Hunt
Mako
Boston Whaler
Pursuit
Grady White
Edgewater
Everglades
Sea Born
Cobia
Key West
Contender
Looked at them all and pretty sure they ALL had standard hard tops (except Mako, standard T Top) in their 23-24’ and larger CCs.
I honestly didn’t find a single manufacturer in that size where the top isn’t standard. I’m sure they exist (custom boats), but all the regular brands seem to have them standard.
The only one I remember is the C Hawk 25’. Top is optional. Super basic boat but built well and priced cheap.
#7
Admirals Club 


Young boats have built a few of their 27's without T-Tops. I know the Edgewater IS boats could be gotten without them. You can always pull the T-Top and have a glass guy patch the holes
#8
Senior Member

T-tops USED to be an option on most boats..... not anymore in the 23’ + size.
I have a bridge clearance issue, so height was a serious concern while shopping for my next CC.
What I found was pretty much every boat I looked at had a “standard” hard top.
Robalo
Sportsman
Tidewater
Scout
Sea Hunt
Mako
Boston Whaler
Pursuit
Grady White
Edgewater
Everglades
Sea Born
Cobia
Key West
Contender
Looked at them all and pretty sure they ALL had standard hard tops (except Mako, standard T Top) in their 23-24’ and larger CCs.
I honestly didn’t find a single manufacturer in that size where the top isn’t standard. I’m sure they exist (custom boats), but all the regular brands seem to have them standard.
The only one I remember is the C Hawk 25’. Top is optional. Super basic boat but built well and priced cheap.
I have a bridge clearance issue, so height was a serious concern while shopping for my next CC.
What I found was pretty much every boat I looked at had a “standard” hard top.
Robalo
Sportsman
Tidewater
Scout
Sea Hunt
Mako
Boston Whaler
Pursuit
Grady White
Edgewater
Everglades
Sea Born
Cobia
Key West
Contender
Looked at them all and pretty sure they ALL had standard hard tops (except Mako, standard T Top) in their 23-24’ and larger CCs.
I honestly didn’t find a single manufacturer in that size where the top isn’t standard. I’m sure they exist (custom boats), but all the regular brands seem to have them standard.
The only one I remember is the C Hawk 25’. Top is optional. Super basic boat but built well and priced cheap.
#9
Senior Member

So Young, SV, and I just found the Barker 26 has an optional top.
What’s the budget? Because those are all top tier top price boats.
What’s the budget? Because those are all top tier top price boats.
#10
Senior Member




OP asked about center consoles and bay boats. I checked a bunch of companies that build bay boats and every one has models that come standard with no T-top (Pathfinder, Robalo, Tidewater, Key West, Scout, Blue Wave, Skeeter, etc etc)
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#11
Senior Member

Was kinda frustrating honestly. There were quite a few that got knocked off my list just because the standard top had a bridge clearance of 8’ or higher.
#12
Senior Member

Another option is to buy whatever boat you want, then after you get it have an aluminum welder turn the factory top into a folding top.
I’ve seen a few threads on it and I want to say it was around $600 to get done?
May not work with all tops or some of the hard tops.
I’ve seen a few threads on it and I want to say it was around $600 to get done?
May not work with all tops or some of the hard tops.
#13
Senior Member



Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Suburb of Sugar Tit SC
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Standard or not shouldn’t matter a bit. Just make the request. Elder president bush had several fountains that were sans tops due to preference.
#14

T-tops USED to be an option on most boats..... not anymore in the 23’ + size.
I have a bridge clearance issue, so height was a serious concern while shopping for my next CC.
What I found was pretty much every boat I looked at had a “standard” hard top.
Robalo
Sportsman
Tidewater
Scout
Sea Hunt
Mako
Boston Whaler
Pursuit
Grady White
Edgewater
Everglades
Sea Born
Cobia
Key West
Contender
Looked at them all and pretty sure they ALL had standard hard tops (except Mako, standard T Top) in their 23-24’ and larger CCs.
I honestly didn’t find a single manufacturer in that size where the top isn’t standard. I’m sure they exist (custom boats), but all the regular brands seem to have them standard.
The only one I remember is the C Hawk 25’. Top is optional. Super basic boat but built well and priced cheap.
I have a bridge clearance issue, so height was a serious concern while shopping for my next CC.
What I found was pretty much every boat I looked at had a “standard” hard top.
Robalo
Sportsman
Tidewater
Scout
Sea Hunt
Mako
Boston Whaler
Pursuit
Grady White
Edgewater
Everglades
Sea Born
Cobia
Key West
Contender
Looked at them all and pretty sure they ALL had standard hard tops (except Mako, standard T Top) in their 23-24’ and larger CCs.
I honestly didn’t find a single manufacturer in that size where the top isn’t standard. I’m sure they exist (custom boats), but all the regular brands seem to have them standard.
The only one I remember is the C Hawk 25’. Top is optional. Super basic boat but built well and priced cheap.
Even the bay boats, the Robalo 246 Cayman (24' 6" length, 9' beam) seems to be the largest available withOUT a standard top.
Price point is up to about $125k.
How's the build quality of a Robalo versus a Sea Hunt or Sportsman?
#16
Senior Member

Dusky
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#19
Senior Member
#20

For 70 percent family boating (sandbars, restaurants, dogs, etc.) And 30 percent fishing intercoastal and near shore, what's better a bay (bay hybrid) or deep V center console in the 23 to 25 foot range? Thank you!