T-Top with Straight Inboard, engine under console

[blunas2188]

Does anyone here have any suggestions for the fabrication of a t-top for a center console that has the engine under the console. Our console must be able to flip forward, towards the bow, to access the engine. Is there any way to design a t-top that goes straight to the deck and does not interfere with the console/engine, or is the only solution attaching it to the rails (not at all ideal). It seems like it would be difficult to attach it to the deck, for bolting it down would require a lot of work, maybe cutting the deck. I am also concerned about the t-top getting in the way of access the engine if it goes to the deck. Any solutions??

[RalphNitt]

Look at the pics in my previous posts...

[CHANCE1234]

Blunas, i had the same layout...inboard center console seacraft. When i build my dog house i purchased some deck hinges from west marine i think. i checked their website just now and couldn't find exactly what i used online. But if you do a search for deck hinge horizontal mount, on their site you will see part of what i used. the other part mounted on the doghouse was also stainless and fit perfectly into the horizontal deck hinge attached to the deck. A clevis pin with a cotter pin held them together until i needed acess to the engine. To get to the engine i simply left the front two assemblies attached and disconected the aft two. I then tilted the console forward and rested it on fish totes or a 2X4 or what ever else i had on board. i'm sure i had some pictures posted on my post (MY FIRST) but the majority of them seem to be deleted. I never had a problem with this setup and was simple to install as long as you have good material to drill into and secure to the deck. Hope this helps.

[blunas2188]

Savage, how did you set that up. do the pistons just help to make it go up at slow speeds or are they actually controlled by a switch or something? Is that a tough set up to do? and how strong does your deck have to be? I assume very strong.

Chance- Is your engine located in the middle of the boat or is it located more back towards the aft. It almost seems a little further back than mine but I cannot tell if it just the picture angles that make me think that. Also, how did you get that dog house? You build it?

Thanks guys

[CHANCE1234]

It is in the original engine placement. I built the doghouse myself, it took a few days from start to finish, but i think it came out nice and served my purpose of keeping me a little more out of the weather.

[joshz]

I used those same mounts in the front but mounted them to aluminum plates ,counter sunk from the bottom air craft nutted from the top to spread out the weight load on either side .A little 5200 and it is rock solid .The dog house Chance is talking about is great but weighs alot and if you fish the bay chop,and run the inlets to the south ,things will loosen .I guess that is par for the coarse ,with a 30 year young boat.. email me if your on the cape come take a look. Also some inboard Seevee's have deck mounted ttops and the console folds foward to access the motor ,there is one on boat trader.

Josh..

78 23'