Thanks. After considering all the inputs from this forum, I went
shopping. Yikes!!! I realize workmanship has its price....however, $1600
to $2000 to start for a small barebones T-top is a bit over the top. Add
some rod holders and curtains, and the tab is approaching three
thousand.

Just how valuable can 50 or so pounds of aluminum tubing and canvas
cost? Although I have a "Santa Claus" ready and able to pay the whole
freight, I can't in good conscience let that kind of money be spent for
such a little benefit.

Thanks for all the opinions.... No T-top for me....

wrote in message
...
On Dec 14, 9:53 am, "Lu Powell" wrote:
I have a five year old Sea Pro 17 ft. center console and want to
install
a t-top. My main concern is the added weight and higher center of
gravity. The boat is mainly used in St. Johns River at Mayport, FL,
and
occasionally a few miles offshore when the ocean is flat.

Any of you experts have comparable experiences and advice?

I assume a T-top for a small 17-ft boat is not going to be very tall
in order to keep the center of gravity low; for example, the T-top in
my 18-ft boat is lower than the T-top in larger boats. This means you
may not be able to put a large enclosure right under the T-top because
that would have blocked your view when you are standing. This means
you will not be able to put your VHF radio and other accessories
inside the enclosure. This removes one of the benefit of having a T-
top.

For the same reason, you may or may not be able to mount fishing rods
under the T-top in a 17-ft boat.

On the other hand, you will still be able to mount antennas for VHF
radio and GPS on the T-top and keep them out of the way.

Despite the fact that I don't think a large enclosure can be mounted
under the T-top, I am still playing around with the idea of mounting a
small enclosure under the T-top that is just enough for a small VHF
radio and a pair of gloves or something small like that.

Jay Chan