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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
#6634280
09/15/11 05:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158
jwatts77
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158 |
I saw an illustration on Ranger's website of a bass boat trailer with an electric lift hard-top cover. Has anyone actually seen this cover in use?
There was no price on the webpage. It seems it would be easy enough to sell an aftermarket cover and install kit for something like this. Power it through the pigtail.
Most difficult part would be the molds for different top caps. This one lifted in the rear and pivoted at the bow. I think if you had it lift equally front and back it would be more user friendly.
Is there a manufacturer currently making these? Would cut down on theft from inside your boat plus good for keeping it clean.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: jwatts77]
#6634287
09/15/11 05:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 992
lakeforkfishon
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 992 |
The TFF never disappoints, always entertaining.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: Matt McClellan]
#6634291
09/15/11 05:38 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158
jwatts77
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158 |
That's it!!! Can't be that expensive. I mean if it cost $3000 - $5000 depending on quality of the glass & gel coat it might be worth it. A pick-up tanneau cover is not real expensive and it does a great job of keeping stuff in the back of your truck clean and secure.
I bet a couple guys could install it in the driveway in an hour or two. If they're mass produced in standard colors, white, red, blue, or black, the cost would be minimal. I'd pay the extra as opposed to uncovering and recovering my boat for years and years! I like it!
Last edited by C.A.S.T.; 09/15/11 05:39 AM.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: jwatts77]
#6634409
09/15/11 11:00 AM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 75
SaddleTramp
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 75 |
In the early 90's, one launched at Val's pretty often. It took two people to get it done.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: SaddleTramp]
#6634468
09/15/11 11:39 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,758
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,758 |
Mark Stevenson, guide at Fork had one I think. There was also a BassCat that had one too. It was the '90's.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: Ken A.]
#6634578
09/15/11 12:39 PM
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,044
South TX Legend
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,044 |
My concern would be how secure is the actual top. I could see the top causing gel coat blemishes from rattling / shaking as you drive down the highway.
I like the idea for storage though. But I bet it would add to much to the price of a new boat and would not be worth it if you garage keep the boat already - I will take my 600.00 custom cover and keep the boat in the garage.
____________________________________________________
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Rodney
South TX Legend
Legend Boats
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: South TX Legend]
#6634727
09/15/11 01:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 32,019
JustWingem
Gentleman Jack
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Gentleman Jack
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 32,019 |
I read where ramp steepness comes in to play upon launching and loading.
Also it looked kinda awkward getting in and out.
DON'T GET CONFUSED BETWEEN MY PERSONALITY AND MY ATTITUDE. MY PERSONALITY IS WHO I AM...MY ATTITUDE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: JustWingem]
#6634801
09/15/11 01:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 487
ryanl
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 487 |
guys I actualy filled a patent on a design 2 years ago, I will have them up for sale by summer 2012. I will have my first one built by feb. 2012 hopefully in time for the Classic. They will retail for 5800.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: ryanl]
#6634804
09/15/11 01:47 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 487
ryanl
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 487 |
My design is looks and works much better than what Ranger put togeather it's light weight, and only takes a couple of seconds to raise and lower.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: ryanl]
#6635234
09/15/11 03:26 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 893
TexasTechliprip
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 893 |
I would never take my gear out, except in the bad heat
and that would be nice
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: TexasTechliprip]
#6635393
09/15/11 04:05 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 487
ryanl
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 487 |
Well my design allows you to raise and lower the cover anytime you want so it will serve as a shade say at a weigh in as your waiting around on your check, it of course serves as weather protection and theft protection as well. I will have 3 different models, a fiberglass, a plastic, and a heavy vinyl tarp cover stretched over a wire frame. It raises 4' per minute. I have been working on the design for the past two years and I now have it perfected. Keep watchn for updates. I have the lifting mechanism finished and now in the process of fiberglass molds being producted. When I get the mold I like and the finish perfected they will be out on the markete.
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: ryanl]
#6636059
09/15/11 06:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,767
JPeel
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,767 |
I recall a guy on here describing how the one he had got destroyed in a strong wind while trying to load or unload at Fork. I'm sure hat was an earlier design but I've had days where I have trouble not damaging my truck bed hard top in some of the winds we get.
the fisherman formerly known as Blu-Ranger....
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: JPeel]
#6637223
09/16/11 01:13 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158
jwatts77
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,158 |
A product like this is just like any other. If it isn't built properly with quality materials it's just going to be a problem. I'm sure a good hard-top cover can be built sturdy, with quality materials, be easy to raise and lower, and still be affordable.
If a power-pole can hold your boat in the wind then a lifting device can be built to open and close a hard cover without tearing itself up in the wind as well.
If one comes to market and gets sold to enough boat owners someone else will build a competing unit, hopefully better!
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Re: Hard TOP Cover for Bass Boats?
[Re: ryanl]
#6637351
09/16/11 01:41 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,546
TIM CLINE
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,546 |
Well my design allows you to raise and lower the cover anytime you want so it will serve as a shade say at a weigh in as your waiting around on your check, it of course serves as weather protection and theft protection as well. I will have 3 different models, a fiberglass, a plastic, and a heavy vinyl tarp cover stretched over a wire frame. It raises 4' per minute. I have been working on the design for the past two years and I now have it perfected. Keep watchn for updates. I have the lifting mechanism finished and now in the process of fiberglass molds being producted. When I get the mold I like and the finish perfected they will be out on the markete. Ryan, When you get something together let me know. Would love to see it.
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