Camper Top

Scott_nb · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 10:30 am

Do they make a camper top for a 180? If so does anyone have one? And a picture?

chrisvs · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 12:24 pm

Not a true "camper top" from the factory, but a convertible top.

fully installed...

back removed....

This is on the latest generation H180. Any boat top builder should be able to make you one, or a true camper (square back) top.

Hope this helps.

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 12:34 pm

Thanks for the pics! The wife wants something like that for our boat. It was an option, but I know I can get one made locally for much cheaper.
Not a priority for me, but once the wife decides she wants to get something for the boat............

chrisvs · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 2:13 pm

No problem Cap'n! We love this kind of top. Although you can't stand under it, the protection from cool winds or the odd rainy day can't be compared to a bimini. We use ours often.

If you need any detail pics, let me know.

Scott_nb · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 3:14 pm

That is awesome... thank you for the pic.. that is what i was looking for and would like to get. my problem is (and maybe there is a solution) my snapps are all at the bottom of the window. Can you get snaps for the top or how does it connect to the top of the windsheild???

LouC · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 4:09 pm

I'd start with a bimini top and then have the camper top made off of that, with plastic windows going from the bimini to the windshield frame. That would allow you to stand up under it and extend your boating season, you could even camp out on it if you are the adventurous type (air mattress).

I had the little convert top when I first got this boat and hated it. You can't see anything with it and to me the only plus over a bimini is that it is more stable and easier to mount.

When I installed my bimini on my 88 Horizon I put the mounts on the inside of the gunnels so it would be easier to add a camper top in the future.

Scott_nb · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 5:20 pm

LouC i think you might be right. get the bimini first. Now when i order my bimini so i need to order something spacific so i can add the windshields or is there a zipper options to add on extra stuff after the fact?

LouC · **Posted:** Tue May 29, 2012 7:39 pm

Most of the aftermarket ones do not have a provision to come with a zipper, but you can have added easily by a canvas shop. I would try to mount the bimini so that the frame is on the inside, either right on the gunnel if it is flat enough or, inside the side windshield on the coaming panel. If the frame is on the outside of the boat it makes it harder to fit the plastic windows. I think this is better than mounting the bimini mount to the windshield frame as is done on some boats because that can stress the frame.

chrisvs · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2012 6:59 am

Drop curtains can be done from a bimini as well, but I find that they not only look aweful (IMO) on bowrider/cuddy style boats, but are more pieces to store when you want to take it down or run with the top opened up. My top folds up into a neat small bag when it is not in use. LouC, I have heard the comment before that you can't see out of convertible tops, but I think that really depends on where your line of sight is when you are sitting at the helm. I have no problem seeing out with the top deployed on our H180. For boats where you might be looking slightly above the windshield, I have seen isling glass pannels sewn into convertible tops just above the helm.

Not trying do defend the convertible top, as either option (pannels to enclose the bimini or convertible top) work well. Just presenting my own experience.

chrisvs · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2012 7:17 am

Oh, and Scott, I forgot to answer your question. There is a groove along the top edge of the windshield where the snaps are installed with a plastic "wedge" type plug. It allows the snaps to be adjusted without putting a pile of holes in the top of the windshield frame.

There is another style that clips around the top bar of the windshield frame, depending on the style you have.

I have also seen snaps screwed directly into the frame as well, for windshields without this type of groove or clamp system.

ric · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2012 7:32 am

chrisvs wrote:

Drop curtains can be done from a bimini as well, but I find that they not only look aweful (IMO) on bowrider/cuddy style boats, but are more pieces to store when you want to take it down or run with the top opened up. My top folds up into a neat small bag when it is not in use. LouC, I have heard the comment before that you can't see out of convertible tops, but I think that really depends on where your line of sight is when you are sitting at the helm. I have no problem seeing out with the top deployed on our H180. For boats where you might be looking slightly above the windshield, I have seen isling glass pannels sewn into convertible tops just above the helm.

Not trying do defend the convertible top, as either option (pannels to enclose the bimini or convertible top) work well. Just presenting my own experience.

I don't have either just a bimini, but using a bimini top with sides doesn't sound or look fun. Would look bo-bo. A convertible top with sides as in the first picture (without the back curtain) I think would be perfect. Now.. the back curtain is perfect for mooring

Jafo4U · **Joined:** Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:33 am **Posts:** 1026

Really looks great wish you could get some air in there and keep the mosquitos out that would be perfect for my 220 I would love to camp at this Island called Bocachita in Biscayne Bay but holy bejesus the mosquitos are horrible year round!!! Once the sun goes down you better be in your tent or boat or underground! Really nice pictures thanks I saved them so I can show them to my canvas guy today and maybe add some mosquito netting to able to rough it on the 220 a little. Got my bimini fixed at last!

ric · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2012 8:04 am

Jafo4U wrote:

Really looks great wish you could get some air in there and keep the mosquitos out that would be perfect for my 220 I would love to camp at this Island called Bocachita in Biscayne Bay but holy bejesus the mosquitos are horrible year round!!! Once the sun goes down you better be in your tent or boat or underground! Really nice pictures thanks I saved them so I can show them to my canvas guy today and maybe add some mosquito netting to able to rough it on the 220 a little. Got my bimini fixed at last!

I thought about that, but that's why I'm just going the Sundowner route. I need A/C

Scott_nb · **Posted:** Wed May 30, 2012 8:35 am

Man u guys know your stuff. I love this forum. Thanks for all the info

Up hear in the Canada the top will be nice when the east wind comes up and you can use your boat later in the fall untill you are dodging big ice cubes in the Bay. Netting would've nice as well sine the mosquitos are as big as loonies

Wet Doggg · **Joined:** Fri May 19, 2006 11:15 am **Posts:** 682

I am not a convertible top guy as I like the bimini and full camper option because I like to stand. Also with a largerish family I would need access to the seating in the back. But it does look very nice.Good luck.

www.iFourWinns.com

Camper Top

Who is online