175 OSPREY oversized T-top install

[BMAC1988]

I can't comment yet on the shade as the day I took it out for about an hour tops, it was overcast so the top really didn't do much. I can say that the canvas cubby in the top is really handy as it perfectly fits my 3 life jackets and throw cushion which empties undrneith my center console up. I'm leaving this weekend for 3 days on the st johns river so that should give me plenty of time to try out and enjoy the shade. Hopefully I will be able to go out fishing before to long so I can actually use the rod holders and vhf.

PS- I forgot to mention about my fuel economy now. I am now down from 4.5-4.7 before to 4.0-4.2 mpg also my economical cruise went from 3500-3700rpm or 28mph to 4000 and 30mph. I find it weird that the cruise speed and rpm went up because of the top. 

[tyson87]

This pic shows the console being shaded nicely!

[FL175]

Top looks great!  We have one on our 175 and I'm adding more bracing due to the rear racking.  Can I ask you the measurements of you're leaning post?

[BMAC1988]

I don't know the exact measurements from memory and I'm not around the boat at the moment. I got the post off of Ebay tho. It's the one that comes with the backrest and footrest and the seat part hinges with a storage bin underneath. If memory serves it was like 700 bux. I do know that I cut the legs and had the post shortened 2in because it was too tall for the console. I'm 6-01 and having the post at the original I think 32in height was too tall for sitting because these boats have a fairly short console so in order for me to sit and drive I would've been hunched over and uncomfortable. Right now its about perfect height to be able to both sit and lean on the post. The place where I got it from would've made it shorter but I didn't tell them in time, they had already made it and had it ready to ship. I also took the storage bin out and cut about and inch off to raise it up. With the shorter legs it made getting in the cooler underneath pretty hard since it won't open all the way. Right now there is plenty of room to open the lid and get a drink and close it back. This eliminates people opening the cooler all the way and leaving but open while they decide what they want, wasting ice.

[FreasFlatFoto]

What's the width of your leaning post?

[BMAC1988]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Custom-Build-Leaning-post-BACK-REST-FOOT-REST-ROD-HOLDERS-CUSHION-/222178486357?hash=item33badea855:g:zbYAAOSwkZhWTept&vxp=mtr

heres a link to an ebay listing of the leaning post that I bought (mine does not have the black stiching tho). it gives the complete measurements. I would recommend contacting the people and getting them to make it 2" shorter tho, I tried that but I waited too long and they already had it built and ready for shipping but they said they would've been happy to do that for no extra charge.

width is 36" at the cushion
37-1/2" at the outside of the mounting feet
32" to the top of the cushion/seat (mine was cut down 2" to make it an even 30")
storage box under the seat is 30"x6"x6" (I cut 1" off of the depth of my box to make it 5" instead of 6" to get the cooler to open further)

[love2fish]

top looks good- you can never have enough shade or rod holders... I also have the legs of my tower linked via flat bar I had my towerbuilder weld on- gives you a MUCH bigger and better mounting option.

big suggestion regarding your comments about towing- I throw a big strap over the top step of my tower from side to side ( you could do it across the horizontal side bars on your t-top) and then down to the trailer.. trailering that big of a top at speeds over 50mph can create a huge pressure point on your console and floor where the tower is mounted- contributing to eventual screws coming loose or stress cracks on the welds.

also- with the top being that big- it's possible you are actually being lifted out of the water some- increasing your cruise speed.

[BMAC1988]

Thanx for the suggestion. I don't pull it over 70mph and it seems very stabile.  I lost wot speed and cruise speed stayed the same but fuel burn went up slightly so whatever lift it provided, the drag was more.  But the added shade,  looks, and storage more than make up for the economy loss.

[Woodeneye]

My Tee top becomes Vee top. 55mph. Mind you it was quite blowy.