Searching...and searching for convertible top

[IRBFishin]

Hi all- I don't post often but do when I'm stumped. I'm searching for a convertible top for my boat (Fisher F18FS - Same as Nitro 185). Here's my boat:



...and here's what I'm looking for:



If anyone has any info as to how to track something like this down for my boat, it would be most appreciated. The sample I included is from a Triton 190 Escape. The width to fit my rig is about 73-78 inches.

I check everywhere from this site to greatlakesskipper. I'll keep looking but if anyone can steer me somewhere, many thanks.

-D

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

You may have to see a canvas shop and have them make one. If so, have it made so you can stand up behind the wheel without being hunched over. Someone here or on THT states they have 22,000 original patterns but the name is ??????

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

99% of the time when you are looking for a top that attaches to the windshield it requires installation and a bit of custom work.

Check around at your local awning shops since it is the off season....you might negotiate a pleasant price break. iboats sells bimini tops Bimini Tops - Sunbrella Bimini Tops for Boats & Pontoons - iboats which you can DIY but there is no windshield attachment.

A bimini will save you money if you can live with it

 

[superbenk]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

I had the convertible top on my last boat and have very mixed feelings about it. It was nice when you wanted shelter from rain & wind but it was a nuisance when driving the boat. The windshield would get wet and/or dirty and be hard to see out of. All around visibility was pretty poor & it got cramped quick. I was always envious of those with biminis instead. I'd usually unzip the access flap in the middle & swing my windshield open so I could stand and look over the top of the cover to drive (less than ideal & probably looked pretty funny too!).

I'd consider a Bimini instead or if you want shelter, maybe a camper enclosure you can stand in.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

The "glass" can be removed and the top stay up. Mine has been on for 6 years without a problem. A little RainX on the glass and McGuires on the top glass and no problem... Would never have anything different

 

[superbenk]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

I see what's pictured above is a little different than what I had. I didn't have a window in the top so I was limited to what I could see out the windshield.

 

[IRBFishin]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Thanks for the replies gang. I guess this could get into something similar to a "what's the best boat/motor" question but I'm really looking to find out how to get a hold of what Triton offers with their rigs that I don't see from Tracker or others. I've thoght a lot about what I need and standing under it or driving with it isn't as important as sitting under it in the rain/wind/snow with the captain seats spun around watching our poles while we're anchored (sturgeon/salmon/shad on the Columbia). I love the idea of rolling up the convertible piece and it becomes a standard bimini.

I'm really wondering if someone bought this boat: Triton Boats - We Take America Fishing but later wanted to buy the convertible top separate, there has to be a way to do this. I'll look around at custom shops too, but it just seems some company out there made/makes this exact item.

Thanks again!

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

I always loved the convertible top on our SeaRay--

But I REALLY like how Chaparral did theirs:

===============
I'm sure any top shop could make you either style...

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Fabric tops that attach to the windshield are usually called "Navy Tops". If they have a piece of clear plastic between the fabric and the windshield like the Chapparal. are generally referred to as "Camper Tops". Normally these are custom items, although if you have a popular model and year of boat, you may find them mass produced.

 

[jc55]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

I had one on my old Seaswirl when I lived in Oregon and LOVED it!

For my Sport Craft with the curved windshield, I'm building one. I bought all of the hardware for a 3 bow top, gonna bend the aluminum tubing then have a local shop add the fabric. That way, I can get the geometry right on the bows.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Man, I LOVE that camper top on the Chapparrel! I'd love to have something like that with detachable window panes for when I want open air. I suppose a canvas show can build whatever I want with enough cash

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Man, I LOVE that camper top on the Chapparrel! I'd love to have something like that with detachable window panes for when I want open air. I suppose a canvas show can build whatever I want with enough cash

Must be able to see through the top in order to stand and drive. Since you are fishing year round I suggest getting full curtains. When trolling in winter with a little sun hitting all that glass it is T-shirt temps inside almost. The front should zip out so you only have the top in summer. Mine is like the Chapp but without the sole covered-- need the room to fight fish without rod interference. Two curtains drop behind the top with lots of 'see through' area.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

I have found the two I have on ebay. I had to search and search, long and often, and changing wording too as not everybody uses the same terminology.

They are usually termed Bimini in ebay, some do say convertible top.


The first one was $19.99 and $19.99 shipping, pretty nice canvas and boot. The other was $100.00 plus $38.95 shipping, is is Sunbrella with 1" Stainless poles but no boot came with. Both have the zippered walk-thru section...:

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

I would try contacting the boat mfg and ask them who made the convertible top for that boat.

 

[IRBFishin]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Here's the response from Triton on their model:

"Triton purchases the convertible tops for the 190 escape from a company called Ameritex Fabric Systems
They list through Triton at $850.00 + freight using part number 1978948G
The Ameritex part number is 113137030"

Pretty steep price, I think. I'll keep looking and will call some custom shops too. If anyone's ever fitted my boat or a Nitro 185 with this convertible top I'd sure like to hear about it.

 

[Bayou Dave]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Here's the response from Triton on their model:

"Triton purchases the convertible tops for the 190 escape from a company called Ameritex Fabric Systems
They list through Triton at $850.00 + freight using part number 1978948G
The Ameritex part number is 113137030"

Pretty steep price, I think. I'll keep looking and will call some custom shops too. If anyone's ever fitted my boat or a Nitro 185 with this convertible top I'd sure like to hear about it.

Maybe you can bypass Triton and go straight to Ameritex and get a better price. AmeritexDirect - Replacement Boat Canvas

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Man, I LOVE that camper top on the Chapparrel! I'd love to have something like that with detachable window panes for when I want open air. I suppose a canvas show can build whatever I want with enough cash

That's a Chaparral factory top, and IMO it's one of the best all-around designed top systems I've seen- you can use just the front-half of the bimini or full length, the windows are Isinglass, so a few wrinkles notwithstanding, it's easy to see thru, the windows are still perfectly transparent after 10 years... any panel can be used or removed, theyr'e not dependent on the panel next to it, and the front and rear panels can be rolled and tied up for air flow without having to remove them. And if the sun's out on a 40? day, it's almost too warm inside!

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Same set up on the Chap as most all Express cruisers, and it is also likely made my Ameritex (aka TaylorMade). Only thing the Chap lacks is screens, which come in handy sometimes.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Here's the response from Triton on their model:

"Triton purchases the convertible tops for the 190 escape from a company called Ameritex Fabric Systems
They list through Triton at $850.00 + freight using part number 1978948G
The Ameritex part number is 113137030"

Pretty steep price, I think. I'll keep looking and will call some custom shops too. If anyone's ever fitted my boat or a Nitro 185 with this convertible top I'd sure like to hear about it.

Yea buying from the boat maker just adds to the cost. For my $$ I would find a good canvas guy that does boat covers and such, they will build one custom to your boat with everything you want. Clear panels, zippers side and back curtains all of it. Here in Michigan these shops are all over the place. I just dropped a storage bag from my Ski-Doo off to one, the factory Ski-Doo zipper failed. To replace the bag it was almost $280.00, new custom zipper installed at the canvas shop, $35.00 installed. Shop around while it's winter, and be prepared to drop your boat off so they can measure and make it right.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Searching...and searching for convertible top

Yea buying from the boat maker just adds to the cost. For my $$ I would find a good canvas guy that does boat covers and such, they will build one custom to your boat with everything you want.

Well, maybe. Maybe not? Look at the blue party top on our houseboat in my sig pic- Back in '06 (year we bought it) a big windstorm plus the sun-killed stitching equaled the Sunbrella came apart, one of the main section seams, and the entire perimeter valance came apart from the rest. Took it to a good shop, where I was told (while sucking air thru teeth( "we can sew it back together, but if we miss ANYwhere by 1/8", the snaps will never line back up!" I agreed to take the chance. The top is 12' x 24', and after it was resewn, it fit near perfectly. I was amazed. So the same shop got my business to re-do the canvas on our Party Cruiser. Hmm.. Same person who did our party top sure wasn't who did our PC canvas. Top and windows got new zippers, but don't line up right. The rollup ties between window canvas/screen/vinyl sections that allow any/all sections to be rolled up, were all sewn on the facing-us side, with no ties on the facing-out sides of any windows! Can't tie up a window without a tie on the other side! ... that's just for starters. I'm still amused that the same shop that perfectly sewed up an enormous 10 year old canopy top, couldn't figure out how/where to sew the zippers and window ties on my next job...

again, just sayin'! (my advice: check on your job occasionally, I wish I had)