T Top for trolling boat

[greenhornet73]

I have a center console boat that came with a bent T top that I am considering having repaired and re-installed on my boat.  I recently heard from someone that theirs acts as a wind sail at times when they are trolling.  I do a lot of trolling and concerned this may be an issue with controlling speed and direction but would like to hear if any of you have a similar set up and how they like it?

[Captain Carl Bish]

Never really had an issue like that but I no longer slow troll.

[ontherise]

I have a CC with a t top. It tracks great. I don't have an enclosure or any curtains, maybe that's what acts like a kite??

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[Eyecatcher]

 I run a pretty light tin can and it doesn’t seem to be affected by the wind at all.

 

 

[greenhornet73]

Great I appreciate the input!  I was hoping it wouldn’t be an issue so I can have rocket launchers to keep the rods out of the way and somewhere to mount a spotlight for navigating at night.  I primarily slow trolled this year and would like to continue.  Thanks again

[jimski2]

Towing the boat at 65 mph could rip it off.


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[ontherise]

What?

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[Sk8man]

It may depend a lot on what you are doing. A friend of mine installed one on his 17 ft. Whaler and he pretty much exclusively perch fishes rather than trolling and he had to take the T top off because he said the wind blew him all over the place while trying to drift or while anchored.

[greenhornet73]

Good to know since I trailer it.  I was thinking of having it built so I can break it down for transporting

[Eyecatcher]

I’ve put a thousand or so miles trailering on mine and no issues.  Yet.

Edited September 19, 2019 by Eyecatcher

[ontherise]

The only way that thing would blow off is if it was jerry rigged.. I know on my boat the top is mounted to aluminum beams that run under the floor the length of the boat.

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[Eyecatcher]

True.  When I installed mine I had the floor out and built bracing so I had a solid base to screw it to.  Pretty solid.

 

The Dolphin Ttop I purchased Is slopes down so it actually provides downward pressure when trailering.

[greenhornet73]

Good point.  There are steel cover plates over the mounting areas where the t top was previously.  Hopefully what is under there is a solid base