Replacing my Top on my North River

Audball · 10-08-2006, 09:32 PM

I'm looking to replace my top on my NR jet boat. The one on it now is the original (1991 21' Ranger) and I can't leave it up while towing the boat. On several occasions when towing on the highway, the top collapsed and now the bars are "out of alignment". I want something I can leave up and tow down the highway at 70 mph. Do they make a hardtop like on the Custom Weld boats that would fit my boat? Any help would be appreciated.

MacEFL · 10-09-2006, 08:03 AM

For a while there was a Vancouver Wa. company that was advertising on Craigslist making removable hard tops for boats! They said they could make one for any boat. If I find it I will send a PM.

RiverMan · 10-09-2006, 10:48 AM

I had a shop here build a full cover for my boat that I use while towing. I fold down the soft top and then put the full cover over everything. It might take me 5 minutes to do all this and it works great...just a thought.

RM

5 Salt · 10-09-2006, 11:37 PM

give the guys a Motion Marine a call.

They will build best soft top or custom build hard top. Have towed Motion;s soft tops at 70-90mph for over two years - never a problem with their frames and top-gun Material.

RiverMan · 10-10-2006, 07:11 AM

Maybe it's possible to build a tough enough top...I don't know for sure. I do know that upholstery shops love to see us driving around with the tops up on our boats as they know that it's just "a matter of time" before we will be back in for another one. I would think it's going to be pretty hard to eliminate damage resulting from highway speed driving to a piece of canvas after years of use.

RM

Sturgeon Tom · 10-10-2006, 07:40 AM

Sent you a PM on Tony's Tops.

jimh · 10-10-2006, 08:43 AM

Try Canvas Technologies, 360-790-2149 he's in Lacey. He can build a top that will hold up to towing. For sure, not all tops are equal. There are tops that are designed to stay up all of the time.

lurking_out_loud · 10-11-2006, 06:48 AM

Haxton's did some work for me on my NR. GREAT job, fair prices. He was NR's top guy for years and knows where the bones are buried.

-LOL

Okie · 10-11-2006, 09:07 AM

I have a litle problem with towing a 21 foot boat at 70 MPH.
That seems a little excesive to me.

Good Luck;

jimh · 10-11-2006, 03:06 PM

Okie what speed do you tow? I usually tow 65 myself.

Okie · 10-11-2006, 03:24 PM

After traveling many miles, I travel at different speeds depending on road condition and place. Saftey first is always tops on my mind. There isn't much that will ruin your day like a a wreck with you boat and rig.
Saftey first always comes before anything else.

Good Luck'

jimh · 10-11-2006, 07:47 PM

I only asked because you said you had a little problem with 70.

Audball · 10-11-2006, 07:52 PM

I usually tow at 60 mph, the point is I don't want a top that folds inside out if I should happen to hit 70. Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it. I'm towing my NR (with my old top) down to Tilly bay Halloween weekend, so maybe I'll see one or two of you there.
Tight lines!

Okie · 10-11-2006, 09:16 PM

jimh; Yes, I do have a problem with 70 mph. In Oregon this is a illegal speed in most every part of the state. On the road to Tillamook, there are curves that 60 is to fast and the legal speed is 55 most every place in Oregon and generally 50 mph is the posted speed. Occasionaly some guys have been known to recieve a ticket for speeding.
Think Safety !

Good Luck;

DRUNK COWBOY · 10-11-2006, 09:17 PM

Jerry's upholstery near Boring did a soft top for me and I tow it everywhere I go. I have not had an issue with it. He adds some extra beams for support and strength.

Flatfish · 10-11-2006, 09:30 PM

Haxtons has done some nice work for us.

NR may be able to do it as well.

Mark and the dog.

Audball · 10-18-2006, 10:23 PM

Okie,
I'm not looking for a boat top that I can tow at unsafe speeds with. The point is, I want a top that would withstand 70 mph.

If you're towing a boat at 50 mph into a 25 mph headwind, the windspeed on your boat top is 75mph...

Shanel · 10-19-2006, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5-Salt Fever

give the guys a Motion Marine a call.

They will build best soft top or custom build hard top. Have towed Motion;s soft tops at 70-90mph for over two years - never a problem with their frames and top-gun Material.

Where and why would you tow anything at 90 mph? You are awfully close to doubling the speed limit which is a felony in Oregon. I hope I dont come across you on a narrow curvy road.

WaterDog · 10-19-2006, 07:14 AM

On one boat I owned I had a “Non-Towable” top. Making it “towable” was less than $50. All I did was add 2 struts that tied the forward top tube to the windshield and 2 more struts that tied the rear top tube to the gunnel. I used the same tubing and just had the shop cut them to the lengths I needed. I installed the eyes for the ends and the brackets on the windshield and gunnel. Made a huge difference and was cheap. I looked at a bunch of tops at one of the sportsman/boat shows and at the time, there was a $400 price difference between towable and not. All they did was add the struts that I did.

Moldy45 · 10-22-2006, 07:15 PM

Now thats how to Strut Rich!

jzell · 10-23-2006, 06:04 PM

John Haxton in Milwaukie is da man.

NR rules.

John