225 Explorer hard top

[Bailey]

Hey folks, first post. Been lurking in the shadows since last summer. We purchased a 97 225 Ex , back in August, and frankly, I haven't had a question that hasn't been asked or answered by someone on the forum.
Here are some pictures of a frame and top that I picked up from Marine Connection in Ft Pierce. The top is solid glass, no core with a small EB, and 2 round areas for future speakers.
They have 9 or 10 of these identical frames strewn around their property. the rear legs are 1" shy on each side, which is close enough, and the front legs would need to be replaced or modified to bolt on to the angled area below the windshield.
So far i am $1800.00 into the project, which is significantly better than having the whole thing fabbed.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers,
Richard
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m52 ... C02107.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m52 ... C02108.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m52 ... C02109.jpg
http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m52 ... C02110.jpg

[Circle Hooked]

Welcome aboard Bailey,nice find it shouldn't be to big a deal to modify those legs they are pretty close already.

[seabob4]

That is one suweet top!!  The top looks like a RAMCAP top from the Doughertys.  I'd open up the center cutout and simply install an access door, rather than how it was designed to take a storage insert...

[225Explor]

Very nice top !!! I have been looking for also..........did you say they have more of those set ups there and they are 1800.00 ?

[seabob4]

Very nice top !!! I have been looking for also..........did you say they have more of those set ups there and they are 1800.00 ?

225,
That's a deal!  For a couple hundred more, you can have the legs cut, lengthened, then the feet welded back on...

[Bailey]

Thanks guys, initially I wasn't sure about it. My brother and I went up on Friday looking for a T-top for his CC, and I saw these frameworks kicking around. Some initial measurements looked pretty close, so on Saturday, we took both boats back up, and fitted a T-top for his, and this setup on mine. The front legs are a little off, and I have an appt with a local guy in North Palm Beach next week to get some ideas and pricing. We may need to chop them off totally, and start afresh, or he may be able to alter them in place, and reweld the pads for the right angles.
Marine Connection did have plenty of the frameworks kicking around (probably 8-10 identical to this one), and I had planned on having a fab guy weld a front perimeter loop, and canvas it. But one of the employees asked if I had any interest in a glass top. This was the only fiberglass top like it, but there were many other shapes and sizes. The frame work was $900.00, and the glass top seperately was also $900.00.
You know SB, I hadn't even considered a drop in liner for the electronics, I think that would eliminate a lot of the useable storage. A plexi or CF access door would be really simple, and functional too.
My next step would be to borrow Scott's idea, and use the bimini, for cockpit shade behind the top.

[seabob4]

Bailey,
That's the route to go.  At PL, they used the same type of molded in Ebox, but then installed this dinky ass little starboard storage bin, when all you were left with was enough room to stow a set of glasses and your cell phone!!!  Duh!  find a nice smoked plexi door, cut the opening larger, and you'll be much happier...

Nice looking top and frame though, certainly higher quality than what we used at AS (G.G. Schmitt).  Ought to ask them where they got the frames from...I'm guessing Pursuit...

[Bailey]

I asked Ronnie, and he said he thought Mako? The frames are made by Custom marine Components in Jax.

[225Explor]

Very nice top !!! I have been looking for also..........did you say they have more of those set ups there and they are 1800.00 ?

225,
That's a deal!  For a couple hundred more, you can have the legs cut, lengthened, then the feet welded back on...

Yeah SB thats what I'm thinkin !!!  I live in New York and even having it shipped here would still be a savings......I am going to have to give them a call.   Do you know if they would take pics of their hardtop set ups and send them to me via email ??

Mike

[seabob4]

I asked Ronnie, and he said he thought Mako? The frames are made by Custom marine Components in Jax.

Can't see Mako using this type of frame, BPS really cheapened them down.  Maybe Everglades or Edgewater, they're both in Edgewater, by Daytona...

What I would do is look at the websites of the companies I've mention, take a look at the tops on the WAs.  See if you see something akinly similar to yours...

[Bailey]

Very nice top !!! I have been looking for also..........did you say they have more of those set ups there and they are 1800.00 ?

225,
That's a deal!  For a couple hundred more, you can have the legs cut, lengthened, then the feet welded back on...

Yeah SB thats what I'm thinkin !!!  I live in New York and even having it shipped here would still be a savings......I am going to have to give them a call.   Do you know if they would take pics of their hardtop set ups and send them to me via email ??

Mike

Mike, the guys there are pretty decent all the way round, but I'm really not sure about their internet/shipping side of things. I would give them a shout after the holiday and ask. I believe Ronnie is the owner.
 FWIW, the other frames like mine were up against the chain link fence/sliding gate, directly on the right, as you enter their driveway