Half Tower or T-Top

[Capt_E]

Looking into the future for my rebuild.  I would love to have a half tower but the budget may determine that.  What are your thoughts on either having a half tower or regular t-top?  I know each has it benefits, personal opinion, uses, etc... thought maybe someone has some experience making this decision.

[seabob4]

The way I look at it.  Have a T-top with a full fold-down upper station (towers are what big boats have).  The T-top overhead is the "tower" floor.  

What I find with half-towers is that the floor looks you right in the eyeballs when navigating from the lower station, as opposed to a true tower, where the floor is several inches above your head given the same navigating...

Fernando's (blue agave) 19-6...



The Action Craft I have at the house (half tower)...



Look where the floor of the upper station is on the AC...staring you in the face!

[Capt_E]

Yeah I seen many variations of towers, half towers, t-tops.  Lately I've seen just what you mentioned from some pretty high dollar boat builders.  When sitting at the lower station, the upper floor is right in your line of sight.  Doesnt make much sense.  Another nice half tower is when they use the top of the console as the upper floor, spraying it with non skid.

I don't want to put a regular t-top on then regret it later on.  And yes folding is the way to go, whether it be a full or half tower.

[seabob4]

CE,
The top of the T-top has to be cored to be able to withstand you or anyone else standing on it.  Most T-tops aren't, so you have to think about that.

The AC upper station helm is a full helm, BTW.  Blank when I got it...



As it is in it's finished form...

[Aswaff400]

i thought about getting a half tower, but went for a folding tower i picked up from eugene, same specs as fernandos tower, just a couple inches shorter

[seabob4]

Power pole, jack plate, tabs, merc monitor, gps and xm, jack plate gauge, wp, down lights, fwd spreader.

[Capt_E]

The cored folding half tower I was picturing was an Andros.  I was hoping to find a used one but that is going to be nearly impossible.  A new one will break the budget.  Thanks for posting the different styles, I have to keep my options open here.

[Capt_E]

Power pole, jack plate, tabs, merc monitor, gps and xm, jack plate gauge, wp, down lights, fwd spreader.

And outfitting both stations with the above gets pricey.

[seabob4]

The cored folding half tower I was picturing was an Andros.  I was hoping to find a used one but that is going to be nearly impossible.  A new one will break the budget.  Thanks for posting the different styles, I have to keep my options open here.

Keep looking used, and consider Sanchez Brothers new...

[Blue Agave]

They both have pros and cons.  You need to ask yourself what is more important.  I would recommend going out in a boat with each to get an idea of how each works with your needs.  My tower works for me, I like to fish and I can fold the tower by myself.  

I have a friend that has a full t-top with a helm up top and as has been mentioned, while operating the boat from the bottom helm your field of vision is hampered.  But he has much more shade and I do like the fact that at the end of the day once back on the trailer you don't have to fold the tower down.

[seabob4]

As Fern stated.  The top on the AC?  Can fold down by myself as well.  But Fern's full tower is the deal, trust me.  Leaning on the leaning post of the AC, I can see pretty decent under the upper station floor...

Standing, like a lot of us drive?  Uh-Uh....

[Circle Hooked]

Have you looked at marine surplus yet, not sure on prices but they had a few andros towers and consols last time i was there.

[Capt_E]

Have you looked at marine surplus yet, not sure on prices but they had a few andros towers and consols last time i was there.

No havent check yet, I will though when the time comes.  Thanks

[gwhitley]

For my two cents, my half tower has worked out very well.  The platform is 5 ft off the deck, so I can stand and see over it just fine.  I can also sit/lean on my livewell and see between it and the console.  With 5 ft you get plenty of elevation above the water without sacrificing the stability of your boat.  Because these boats are narrower than others the same size, 2 ft can make a big difference in the rocking and rolling of the boat.  Mine is still extremely stable, I can even drive up there while running in a substantial chop.

Another big advantage to me personally is not having to fold it up and down everytime I use the boat.  I put it on the trailer, I take it off, nothing changes.  Not only more convenient but you avoid the inevitable wear and tear on all those cables in the pipes when folding.  Just my thoughts.

[Capt Matt]

A t-top is great for sun protection but not so good for fishing around. Basically a tower will catch you more fish a t-top will not.
Once you have ran a tower boat for shallow water fishing to me its a must have advantage. Not only does it give me a better view of the fish I can also see channels, potholes, oyster bars and underwater structure that i would simply never see from deck level.
I went with a 1/2 tower that folds because thats what I got a deal on used. Even getting a deal on the tower its a ton more money to rig two stations than one. My tower is low enough I really never have to fold it. Other pluses to the tower are that it holds 14 fishing rods out of the way and its a good place to get piece and quiet from over chatty clients  lol  There is enough room up top for 2 though if you are fishing with a buddy. All my young clients love to ride up there too
There is a used dorado full tower my buddy is selling in the classifieds right now. He took it off his 23 dorado because the boat was scary tippy in any kind of chop. If often felt like it would flip in any kind of chop or going slow thru a big wake.
 I think a 1/2 tower is a good compromise as Its the right height I can see under it if I'm leaning on my livewell driving or I can see over it if I'm standing. Most of the time I have clients onboard I run the boat from the tower as I'm always looking for fish or signs of fish.
Sight fishing for rolling tarpon from the tower with a remote control trolling motor is the ultimate advantage.
Keep your eyes open for a used tower, now is the time as once the boat is completely built you will almost have to have a custom tower made to fit.
It really boils down to what you plan to do with the boat, are you going to fish it hard or will it be a cruiser?
Capt Matt