Hard tops vs Soft foldover options
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29323
Printed Date: 10 Jun 2026 at 2:39am
Topic: Hard tops vs Soft foldover options
Posted By: Scaleup
Subject: Hard tops vs Soft foldover options
Date Posted: 14 May 2008 at 9:14pm
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Your thoughts on Hard Top boats vs Semi or full soft tops (approx 5.8-6.5m), I guess depends on your individual storage options... I'm pretty much blocked here, I have a car port in the way at our house can fit a folding style semi hard top as long as main support folds over. Have thought about cutting a slot in itwith a chain saw but I can imagine my wife may not appreciate it..That aside if you had the option of space (height e.t.c) what else would you consider, weight and wind... how do the soft tops vs hard tops rate for smaller boats your feedback? |
Replies:
Posted By: Wide Load
Date Posted: 14 May 2008 at 9:22pm
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I like no top. I sometimes get a bit wet and sometimes a bit hot, but I like the freedom of space. I like to wave my rod about without hitting things.
Most of my fishing is done on the drift so a low profile is preferable.
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Posted By: Scaleup
Date Posted: 14 May 2008 at 9:37pm
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Nice boat, your right, there are many ways to enjoy the water and catching fish is just a bonus...eh! Ive been looking for something that will keep the sun off and somewhere to sleep for the night on the odd occasion. |
Posted By: Badfish
Date Posted: 14 May 2008 at 9:43pm
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What about the likes of a surtees with the fold down hard top? I know the 5.5 work mates probably on the small side for ya but they did do a 6.1 workmate for a while....
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/auction-152405739.htm - heres one on trade me As you can see heaps of fishing room for a boat of its size. Its actually got about the same length cockpit as the 6.7 and only looses about 200 on the beam. |
Posted By: NZTurtle
Date Posted: 14 May 2008 at 10:51pm
| I've got a surtees 6.1 barchrusher soft top. Love it as can choose what you want re draft, profile, breeze through etc. Needs a good solution for domes corroding over time but its pretty dry, bloody warm and good for storage. |
Posted By: Scaleup
Date Posted: 15 May 2008 at 6:40pm
| Surtees, nice boat Ive been thinking that the fold over semi is a great idea, a lot lighter and easier to manage. Any hard top experts out there? |
Posted By: Force5
Date Posted: 15 May 2008 at 9:15pm
| I also have a soft top and fold down rocket launcher. Prefer over hardtops I have been on especially in low light conditions (dawn and dusk) when I can have nothing interfering with my viewing. Not so hot as hardtop as side and front screens can come off in summer and still shaded |
Posted By: Blue Legend
Date Posted: 16 May 2008 at 7:30am
| We have a rayglass hardtop, which can get a bit warm in the summer months, but if you get out in the rougher weather then the hardtop is definately the go. We used to have a Billfisher with targa top and we could take down the front and side curtains when it was too hot. It was a good idea but wasn't ideal when bashing into a rough sea |
Posted By: Scaleup
Date Posted: 16 May 2008 at 10:12pm
| Thanks, what kind of soft top can you get to take rough weather punishment if any? |
Posted By: NZTurtle
Date Posted: 17 May 2008 at 12:26am
Depends what you mean... Haven't had any real wet experiences in the soft-top. Different glass angle so occassionally have to have the head through to see but if taking water, the family say I'm going too fast! The other crew say not fast enuff .
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Posted By: Saltiga
Date Posted: 17 May 2008 at 2:05pm
We have the billfisher 720 with the targa top and clears, find it really good espcially for the amount of gamefishing we do, have never had a problem in the rough with them at all, and we have had waves come over the top. so for us the clears are mint with the targa top
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Blue Legend wrote:Posted By: wetdream
Date Posted: 17 May 2008 at 2:41pm
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S/steel Bimini top is just what you need mate, 6.5m, something that can bash thru the not so nice crap....I may just know where I can get my hands on something that ticks all them boxes buddy, let me know when things get serious ------------- Like us on: facebook/stanleysigns.com |
Posted By: Scaleup
Date Posted: 19 May 2008 at 5:31pm
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Thank you all, bought the Bluewater Portifino 5.8m soft top a few days ago, great boat handles well.. a little heavy and a little slow to plane but have not had the motor over 4,500 RPM yet as has been reconditioned and needs running in. Just fits under the car port when the top is folded down. Much more space and comfort that the old Ramco 5.5 and not tripping over my passengers every 5 mins. Picture of a different boat but the same model, cheers.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Boats-marine/Motorboats/photos/a-155160933/p-60304434.htm"> |
Posted By: Wanda_Ra
Date Posted: 19 May 2008 at 8:07pm
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Scaleup..what did it set you back? Was it new or sec hand.. ------------- If you think you are too small to make a difference,try sleeping with a mosquito in your tent. |
Posted By: Scaleup
Date Posted: 21 May 2008 at 10:30pm
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2nd hand.... price a fair penny.. |
Posted By: Moki Marko
Date Posted: 19 Jun 2008 at 9:46pm
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Hardtop v's soft top.
No choice in the SI. hartop only. I've never been too hot in a boat in my life anywhere, and realistically if it's that hot then your better off under a reflective ally hartop roof than a blue canvas canopy baking over your head. We're in wetsuits all day and just gotta get completely outa the wind even in the summer it sucks the heat right out of you. OK and at the risk of sounding flippant, get the boat you want, then make you house/garage/driveway fit your boat. Much easier, you know, like putting your pants on before your shoes.
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