Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by thecameraguy on 02/10/08 - 3:23 PM

I'm trying to decide on a T-Top or Bimini Top for my new 2007 Outrage 190. A picture would be fantastic, but any experience with either set-up would be most welcome. I'm leaning towards the t-top because I think the bimini will use up too much rail space and interfere with fishing.

This will be my first Whaler!!!!!!!!!:o

Edited by Joe Kriz on 02/10/08 - 5:14 PM

Posted by Yiddil on 02/10/08 - 6:12 PM

Yeppers, Thats my baby Das BOat...Id have to say it depends on what your going to do with her and how your going to use her. Either have pluses and minuses...It depends on your flavor, how mobil you want or dont want your top to be, what you may deside to put on top of her cause in one case you can do more of one than the other ie Radar....

I decided on my config based on my needs

tell us what your trying to do with your boating needs and we can give you some suggestions as to what we think. Ive seen them done both ways although the Ttop is done as often, perry did one that way and loves it...other want canvas tops...

let me know...henry

Posted by thecameraguy on 02/10/08 - 6:43 PM

I'm looking to primarily fish out of the boat and like the option of getting the electronics overhead, additional rod hold holders and getting the antenna up and out of the way. I'm looking to get an aluminum framed T-Top with a canvas top, not a fiberglass hardtop. The attraction with the bimini is for additional shade for those days of water toy fun with the kids. Clearance is not an issue as the 99% of my boating will be either in the Chesapeake Bay or on the oceanside of the Eastern Shore of VA with no bridges to go under.

Posted by Doug V on 02/10/08 - 8:03 PM

Camera,

I have a 22 Outrage with a canvas covered t-top. I really like it. It is a great place for antennae and an overhead electronics box. I don't have any rod holders on it, but will probably do that some day. For 360 degree fishability, t-tops work well.

That being said, sometimes it would be nice to have more shade, sometimes less shade. It works well for liquid sunshine as well. All in all, it serves my purposes just fine.

About the only issue I have is that it is a tiny bit too tall to get under the garage door header and into my shop. I had to build dollies that I can lower the trailer axles onto after removing the tires. I also have to unbolt the antennae. It takes about 40 minutes to get it in to or out of the shop.

It's not all bad though. I use my carport to keep the boat under most of the time. It fits under the carport beam just fine. I like to put it into the shop to work on projects in the winter, while I wait for winter salmon season to open up. I took the boat out of the shop this afternoon so I can be ready for an upcoming salmon derby this next weekend.

My brother in law has a 25 Outrage. His boat had a full canvas when he bought it. It was a pretty funky set up. He was able to modify it to fit his needs.

His top is larger than the Mills flying top, probably more the size of the Mills sun top. It covers the ice chest seat in front of the console and extends to about the middle of the super leaning post. All of the aft deck is available for fishing. The 360 degree clearance is not there, but it will definately be very fishable.

He will be using the newly modified canvas for the first time during the upcoming salmon derby next weekend as well. Hopefully he will be able to test the fishability of his canvas set up.

Doug

Posted by Joe Kriz on 02/24/08 - 3:25 PM

While I was in the Florida Keys last week, I saw a brand new Montauk 190 with a T-Top.
I can see why so many people on the coast like the T-Tops.

I talked to the new owner and he said he bought it from the dealer with the T-Top on it.
I assume the dealer has the option to add a T-Top from the local builders.
I wish I had the camera when I saw the boat but unfortunately it was in the room and he was in a hurry. It was a very nice top and looked factory to me although I don't think Boston Whaler has that option that I know of.

Posted by Down Time on 02/25/08 - 6:08 AM

#11

The cover is from Boaters World, they sell them up to 26-27 ft I believe. Price was around $600.00, not bad compared to a custom cover. I also know that Overton's sells them as well. Hard to beat for the money!

Also..I built a custom electronics box and added a T-BAG life vest holder for 4 and the other 4 are in a zippered net section at the back of my t-top. Its nice to have all the extra storage a good t-top has.

Posted by Down Time on 02/28/08 - 3:28 PM

#12

Thecameraguy:
I think one of the biggest factors in you decision will probably be cost. I decent custom t-top will cost you around $2,000-$4,500 depending on size, type,tubing(double or single wall) double bow or single bow top, e-box, netting, etc... You can see a photo of the custom t-top on my 190 outrage. Notice the mandrel bent main supports that have a simular look to the larger outrage models. The cost on my t-top was $3,700. I didn't pay that for it but the dealer did. They gave me the receipt for warrenty when I purchased. I paid $2,000 more for the boat with the t-top then the twin without next to it. I just posted some pictures on my personal page. I've seen some sub standard t-tops that take away from the look of the boat. Hope this helps.

Posted by Doug V on 02/28/08 - 8:33 PM

#13

Down Time,

The t-top on your 19 looks to be very nicely done. Nice detail and very stylish. I would think that that the long radius bends would help with rigidity. Does that seem to be the case?

My t-top is probably of the same vintage as my old Outrage, aka "old". The straight support tubes seem to "work" in rougher water. Not bad, but noticable. In a way, it seems that this flexing of the main support tubes may help absorb some of the shock of the rough water. I am not sure it this is the case, but it seems to work, at least for the last, who knows how many years.

Doug

Posted by Down Time on 02/29/08 - 6:26 AM

#15

Doug v,
Nice pair of boats! I really like the mods! I may "pirate" a few of your ideas for my own boat. I believe you are right on the top being a little stronger. It really doesn't "shake" like alot of the tops on the boats my buddies have. I think the taller console helps. Your t-top looks to be well built and looks great on your older outrage. Did you have the top built or is it factory? I like the hull on the 22', what year is she?

Posted by thecameraguy on 03/01/08 - 4:28 PM

#17

Thanks for all the input. I love the look of the double ring top and additional grab rails. After looking at a few, I came to the conclusion that that particular type of top would be a bit dominate on the 190. I went with a single ring, 1 7/8" aluminum pipe from Atlantic Towers in NJ. Looking at their website, I was not very impressed with the pictures. They did have some website pictures of their work on Whalers and I liked the look. I made the 2 1/2 hr drive to the Jersey Shore and I must say I was impressed. Nice sturdy top, canvas cover, rod holders for around $1700 which was the boat show price. I'm pleased and it should be installed next week.

Edited by thecameraguy on 03/05/08 - 5:51 PM

Posted by winnabowjack on 03/09/08 - 5:42 PM

#19

Bought my '07 190 OR in December of '07 & had the dealer put a T-top on. I'll try to get some pics posted for you when I get everything mounted & looking good. If you're fishing the bimini will definitely get in the way & the T-top has LOTS of storage - T-bag in the back for PFD's and throwable cushion, rod holders on the back, mounting pads (optional) for spreader lights as well as your courtesy light mounted on top where it won't blind you. I'm still looking for a small radio/electronics box preferrably plastic or I may make one out of starboard for my VHF - fishfinder & GPS are mounted on the console. One thing to watch our for - the rodholders in the leaning post are VERTICAL - if your T-top goes back that far - mine does - you'll either not be able to use them or do like I did & relocate them. I put the two verticals in the forward gunnel location, redrilled the rear gunnel holders angled outward for trolling and shortened the other 2 angled holders to fit in the leaning post & lost the rubber covers - they won;t work on the angled holders.