Hardtop versus canvas

D

dad123

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Joined
Apr 18, 2008
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29891
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What do you think the pros and cons are for hardtop versus canvas over the cockpit? One factor for us is sun protection. At first I would think hardtop would be better for sun protection but then I wonder about the glare factor in the cockpit. Thanks in advance for all advice!
 
Hi dad123.
What boat are you thinking of putting this on? I can give a better response if I know this.
 
We would not be installing it. We are looking at multiple used Regal 3860s and some come with canvas and some come with hardtop. Trying to decide if one is significantly better than the other when we decide on the specific boat to go with. Thanks for the response!
 
personally...I would go for the hardtop. You never have to replace it as you will with canvas, and it gives better protection. I don't believe glare will be a problem, but if it is, you could coat the underside with a darker non glare coating to keep that to a minimum.
 
I recently had a hardtop installed on my boat. I also had a 15,000BTU Camper style AC/Heat unit on top. My hardtop is insulated I find it is cooler under the sun and I can control the temperature with the top mounted unit. I don't see glare being an issue. It also gave me a nice platform for solar panels and a few additional antennas I needed for on-air TV reception and WiFi connectivity. I also think the boat will be easier to keep clean the fabric top held dirt pretty well until it rained then the dirt would streak my sides. Today it is quite cool down here in the high 40's and I am running the heat up top it is very warm and comfortable, I could not do this with the old soft top.
Bill
 
Thanks! I was leaning towards hardtop as well, never even thought of adding a non-glare coating. We are new to this....is that something that is commonly done? We'll now have to see if we can get the numbers to work...Thanks again.
 
Honestly dad123, I've never seen anyone having an issue with any glare. However, if it does become one for you, that would be an option. I haven't seen it done, but I recently painted my dash with a non glare darker color paint. I'm sure that would work for the hardtop as well.
 
One point I forgot to make if your boat is available with a factory hardtop I would recommend getting it that way. You will spend a pile of money having one custom built and installed otherwise. I never realized how much work was involved from design to final detailing when installing a hardtop. Good luck. Bill
 
We like our hard top. The only thing is that ours is low, connected to the windshield and has two slanted windows on the sides. We had to install a hatch to get air under to cool us off. But it is great, easy to clean and waterproof. No special water treating.
The good part about the ragtop is that it is usually easily removable.
 
hey Dad123,

I have a Regal 2002 3860 with Canvas Top. The boat is a Great boat. But I also wish I had the Hard Top. Just replaced the Canvas at about 6K for canvas and Glass. I would go with the hard top. My boat is for sale, if you are interested.

Mike
 
You might look back a page or two. I think we just went over this issue pretty thoroughly. You'll get some differnt inputs in that thread.
 
We just returned from a nice two hour boat trip. It's in the 40's here today and we had the A/C set to 72 degrees. Shirt sleeve weather under the hard top plus no canvas to put up and take down. After years in the sun, hard tops are great.
 
I agree, for that size boat, a hardtop. My first reaction was that it would depend on the size of the boat, as you wouldn't want to be too top heavy, but on a 38, the hardtop is the only way to go.
 
if you have the choice... hardtop. No leaks, no restiching every couple of years and no redoing thousands of dollars of canvas every 5 or 6 years like we do down here. glare shouldn't be an issue at all.
 
Thank you everyone for all of your advice. It is very much appreciated. Hardtop it is if we can get a clean, newer boat in our price range!
 
I have had two boats with a hardtop: a Trophy 2509 and my current Pursuit 3000 Express. I very much like the hardtop on both. I have no idea what "glare issue" you are talking about. Both both boats had a few inches clearance between the top of the windshield and the top. This helps with air circulation, but also allows rain to penetrate. My current top has grab rails which are nice. I have also seen nets strung across the inside of tops and used to store life jackets.

G
 
I am not sure what the glare issues are either. We have no issues with glare on our hardtop boat.
 
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