Hardtop

[KXP]

I have a 1987 san pan with a hard top are they designed to be up or down when towing or what is recommended 24 foot

 

[5150abf]

Re: Hardtop

I would drop that down to tow it, should save alot of stress on it.

 

[dooma_Flatchy]

Re: Hardtop

What 5150 said, I have towed with mine up a couple of times but that was only for a couple of miles and I didn't like it, I could feel a puff of wind kinda like a parachute effect.

I leave my toon at a boat slip and I lower my hardtop down and strapped when I go home. Never know when that 40mph gust is going to come around.

 

[KXP]

Re: Hardtop

thanks alot guys i will lower it down when towing

 

[rlk]

Re: Hardtop

KXP, when you lower it for towing, be sure to tie it down. Even though the hardtops are heavy, they will stand up when being towed. I had this happen to me once. The driver behind me was my neighbor, and he said it scared the ^%&*^&* out of him to see the top stand up. He thought it would tear loose and hit his car.

Fortunately no damage done, but I was lucky.

Bob

 

[schaffdk]

Re: Hardtop

My hardtop "levitated" the first time I towed my 'toon down the interstate too. A truck driver got my attention and we had to pull over. Be sure to tie/pin it down!

 

[KXP]

Re: Hardtop

for sure thanks guys

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Hardtop

I have a 1987 san pan with a hard top are they designed to be up or down when towing or what is recommended 24 foot

1993 Starcraft 240 Starfish in "tow mode"

I now use 2" wide rachet tie downs to secure the top. I got a set at harbor freight for under $15.

I also have the correct transom hold downs too. The previous owner only moved the boat 20 miles in the spring and again in the fall. He just used dock ropes for towing

 

[curtiscapk]

Re: Hardtop

Jeff,

what is your top speed at wot with the 115 trying to compare to mine.

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Hardtop

4400 rpm equates to 18 mph according to my GPS and it tops out at 21 mph at 5500 rpm. My depth finder is much more generous in the speed reading, it reads 25 mph "twisted tight".

 

[curtiscapk]

Re: Hardtop

About same as mine I havent gps'd it yet this weekend.

Sounds about same I found recommended rpms to be 4750 to 5250

and my wot is 5000 at around 21 or so.

Thanks for info.

Sorry to hijack thread.

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Hardtop

About same as mine I havent gps'd it yet this weekend.

Sounds about same I found recommended rpms to be 4750 to 5250

and my wot is 5000 at around 21 or so.

Thanks for info.

Sorry to hijack thread.

When I posted about my "new to me" pontoon boat in an old motorcycle forum I'm on, I mistakenly typed 5500 rpm as WOT.

I got a PM thru the forum and an email from one of the other members who is Mercury mechanic. He explained that the rod bearings WILL fail if run over the maximum recommended 5250 RPM on my ob ( 93 mercury 115 hp )

Just passing on the info

 

[midnight1957]

Re: Hardtop

Hi, I saw Jeff-in-Pa picture of his pontoon ready for toe. I noticed 2 things that I have a question about.
1 He folds his hardtop towards the back of his pontoon, I thought they folded towards the front, does it make a difference?

2 Also I noticed that his fastened at the floor height. I traded my bimini top for a 12 foot hardtop to go on my 21 foot pontoon and the previous owner sait that his hardtop was fastened on top of the rails as was my bimini top. Which is correct or is it a matter of prefence?

I am new to this form but I have learned a lot, keep up the good work guys.

Have a Blessed day,
Wade