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Is a T-top on 18 Outrage a good idea?
WhalerDan	#1  Posted on 08/11/07 - 9:53 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 245 Comments: 1 Joined: 11/13/05	Anyone have any opinions on whether it's a good idea to put a t-top on an 18 Outrage? It would attatch to deck at 4 points and also to consol. Thank you. The T-top would have a small electronics box on top. Another question, do they make boat covers to handle a t-top?
DelawareDan	#2  Posted on 08/11/07 - 8:10 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 328 Comments: 2 Joined: 05/24/07	A T-top allows you to fight fish all around the boat, a bimini does not. Shade is good for enjoyment, not to mention prevention of melanoma. A T-top allows for some very nice anchor points for outriggers, antennas, and electronics. What's not to like? There is the windage issue, and boat covers, which are important, need to accomodate the top.
kamie	#3  Posted on 08/12/07 - 5:05 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	I am not found of T-Tops on the 18 Outrage. It is a huge sail on a very light boat. They also make a really strong place to hang on in rough water. With that said if you want one I suggest you have one made to attach to the floor and then to the console at 3 points, two on the side and on the top of the console. I also suggest that you install trim tabs on the boat if you do go with a t-top just to counter act the tenancy to porpoise. My 18 had a t-top and I never could trim fully out because it would porpoise. The previous owner glued wooden strakes to the bottom of the hull, I believe to counter this tendancy. By boat covers, I assume you are referring to mooring covers? They do make them, most of them have hole and zippers to fit the cover around the t-top. I have never seen one off the shelf, all were custom made. You can check my personal page for what an 18 Outrage looks like with a T-Top. The one I had was a hard top, custom made for the boat. If you want closeup photo's of how the t-top was attached, just let me know Edited by kamie on 08/12/07 - 5:15 PM
Doug V	#4  Posted on 08/12/07 - 5:57 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 340 Comments: 3 Joined: 09/21/05	Kamie is right about the trim tabs. I have an Outrage 22 with a large T-top. I also have trim tabs. I would say that trim tabs are a must with the T-top in any kind of wind. Doug
Jeff	#5  Posted on 08/12/07 - 6:04 PM
Member Posts: 1987 Comments: 34 Joined: 04/02/05	The T-Top on my Fathers 22 guardian really increases the side to side roll at idle speeds so I could only imagine what an 18 would be. If you are going to have it custom made try and keep the top as small as possible. 1993 23' Walkaround Whaler Drive
kamie	#6  Posted on 08/12/07 - 8:21 PM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	CPD has a note on their site that if you plan to put a T-top on any boat smaller than a 25 you should add trim tabs.
blakesanborn	#7  Posted on 08/13/07 - 2:38 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 82 Comments: 2 Joined: 05/29/07	I have wanted to put a t-top on my 18. And thought the same things mentioned above. Then I saw a law enforcement boat with a top stretching across the gunnales. Shaped like a upside down U. Lots of storage and plenty of places to anchor electronics. It also provided alot of shade. This may also help with the side to side movement of the boat. I want one. thats for sure.
MWH	#8  Posted on 08/13/07 - 5:40 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 233 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/30/06	I have a good friend with a 1986 18 Outrage, 200hp merc. This is a 50+mph rig...He installed a T-top on it last winter. Its the same T-top found at Boaters World. It appears to fit perfectly and is high quality. The chrome tubing matches the classic hull quite well. I haven't been on it since he mounted the top so can't comment on his performance. My personal opinion regarding T-tops is they are essential equipment. The whole purpose of the center console design is for 360deg fishability. The T-top is the only true option to enhance this design. Whats not to like, shade, overhead rod storage (rocket launchers), life jacket storage (T-bag accessory), overhead lighting as well as Radar antenna mount, allows eisenglass enclosure, and increases overall value....Most tops are fairly lightweight, not sure I agree they would cause much side to side roll. Top speed may be reduced but not too much. I believe the benefits far out weigh the negatives. If you want a T-top go for it! Good luck.
1531665anthony	#9  Posted on 09/22/07 - 9:42 AM
Member Posts: 83 Comments: 3 Joined: 09/16/07	don't do it. it is a wind sail and you will not be able to cast a fishing pole. hope you like to roll side to side.