Great point on the planer boards! I've not experimented with the planers yet. I'm still in pubescent stages of drifting for blues. I'm an old salt just making adjustments to my new environment. I did fish with Spud awhile back and he spoke in depth about using the planer boards. He also has a very similar t-top to the one you posted. You might be on to something.

It does help with the graph. I have one on my boat and like it for that and some shade. I'm not sure if I would get another one, I have been thinking about selling it and going with a bimini when needed. It does get in the way of casting off the back deck at times, but I don't really cast that much. There are trade offs, one just has to weigh the good and bad to best suit your personal use.

Another advantage of having a t top is that you can put some led light strips (with a simmer control) on the frame and have some great overhead lighting for night fishing. I also put some small flood lights on the front and back of the top.

I have Lumitec LED floods on the front and back of mine. You can switch them between red and white light and those puppies light up the entire deck like daytime. They aren't cheap, but quality seldom is. I went overboard rigging my boat out with the best stuff I could find because I'm planning on keeping this boat for the duration and when I buy something, I only want to buy it once.
There are guys on here that will install light strips on your boat for not an awful lot of money and those are probably OK. Just remember that you get what you pay for, sometimes less, but never more.

A $365 Bimini Top would be Better.

This is where I'm leaning, less weight, folds down, more shade, and removable if needed.

And the straps will really interfere with casting. But, to each his own. It's gets down to what you are willing to compromise.

I have a Bimini but with all my rod holder and bait table on my gunwale it's not good. Don't like the straps on my bimini and don't want to jockey around them when fighting big fish. I fish alone most of the time and when I hook up with 3-4 fish at one time it's hard enough orchestrating them into the boat without having to deal with Bimini straps.

That is one of the good points of a t top. I like being able to circle the boat with no obstructions if needed when I have a big fish on.

yep, to each their own. Both create their own set of hardships that a person has to adjust to. Enjoy whichever you decide.