Hardtop overhang

[tincupchalice]

As a want-to-be owner of a 28 TE, I have a collection of a hundred or so photos from the internet, (many of all of your boats), that are the screen saver for my computer. It is sort of my way of inspiring myself to work harder and longer at work.

I noticed today as I was watching the slide show and daydreaming at work, that some of the hardtops overhang the cockpit by a foot or so, others do not. Was this an option, or a design change? When were they made with the extension. I have never noticed before, and now that I have, the ones without the overhang look kind of stubby. (Not that I would say no to the right boat for that reason alone).

You all have wonderful boats. I have seen a couple in Florida, but never any the Great Lakes.

Thanks

[Cape Codder]

I believe that the over-hang (not to be confused with hang-over, we KNOW when and how those start) began with the Newport Edition of the 28.

The Newport Edition is less likely to be used for fishing...and a larger top would make little difference. If you plan on fishing....the larger the top...the more it gets in the way of casting etc.

I like them either way...although mine of the original size. Last Sunday running to Edgartown in a Northeast wind....that hardtop was mighty fine.

On the way back home...all windows closed and back curtains down....might cozy. Salt spray.....everywhere.
Nice!!

Those poor center console guus were dressed for winter........

[Green Light]

I have a 2006 Gatsby edition which came with the extended coach roof so the change is not limited to the Newport edition.

[Nowhere Special]

I too have the original hardtop. As quoted before re: closing the curtains in inclement weather, we had a beam sea when returning from the Islands last Sunday. The Admiral is not one for rough seas and inclement weather. She was warm and dry. That's all I needed to hear.

Having fun on Erie, Dave

[DougSea]

I think you'll find that the majority of the boats have the shorter roof, the extended overhang is a later addition.

On ours (stubby!) the bimini is tied in to a connector piece which runs along the back edge of the hardtop. I love it. When it's up I have complete coverage all the way to the stern and can run in nasty weather without closing the drop curtains since the spray runs mostly off the aft end of the bimini. On nice days I unzip it and get a wide open cockpit. I know there are a couple of boats out there that have a more permanent "extension" attached to the back edge of the top that look more like a precursor to the factory extended top. What's best all depends on how you want to use the boat.

Have fun daydreaming! (It gets even better once you own the boat!!)

[furball]

I have the extended hardtop on a 2006. Great for cruising, I think it's drier and offers more shade but it does get in the way when we're light tackle fishing. If the weather is good, we'll fish two in back and 2 on the bow. More than two people casting in the back gets tight. I've fished with 4 in back and no problems but all of us fish together often. If I planned to use the boat mainly for LTJigging, standard top. For trolling, I love it. I have a canvas enclosure that follows the had top. I leave the center panel out, setup two deck chairs behind the helm seats. Cold weather trolling in tee shirts is great and there is room for 4.
Good luck,
John

[chiefrcd]

I think it was a design change around 2000 or 2001. My 99 doesn't have it and a friends 2001 does. I did put a hard top on mine cause I do fish all the time with it. It covers about half the back, doesn't interfere with any fishing that I do and gives me lots and lots of shade and space for rod holders. Probably the single best investment I've made as far as adding onto the boat.....that and adding a Mr. Buddy for winter feeshn'.