On Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:40:02 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

John H. wrote:
With the new Key West, I'm getting a bimini. The wife didn't think the
t-top would give enough sun protection.

In one of the shots of your boat, Harry, it appeared that you have the 8'
antenna folded down, although it could have been a 5'er I guess. In any
case, what do you have, and does it interfere with the bimini?

Anyone - Is the performance of the 5' antenna seriously below that of the
8'er?

John,

With the Bimini where do you plan on installing the antenna? It seems
no matter where you place it, it will be in the way when you are
fishing. I personally would recommend the hard t-top and a sunhat. But
then again, I don't fish.

In the past, I always wore baseball caps with a hat catcher (alligator
clip attached to cap and shirt). I have since changed to a Tilley, and
there is a world of difference in protection of the face and neck.
It also has a strap that you can use so it won't blow off in the wind.
The LTM 6 is lightweight and is vent to be cooler in the sun.

http://www.tilley.com/detail.asp?gen...od uctNo=LTM6

The antenna will be installed on the side of the console. Hopefully, there
will be enough height for the antenna and the bimini to be deployed
simultaneously.

If the boat were just for me, and just for fishing, I'd have a t-top. But,
it's not just for me. So I lose that one.

I like the looks of the Tilley hats, though. Maybe I'll check into them, if
I can find a local store that carries them.