Hard Top vs Bimini for Freedom 235

[jchip14]

I am interested in views on hard top vs bimini for picnic day boaters on freedom 235...plus and minuses... does hard top provide weight that hurts performance and makes boat more unstable or wobbly? Does bimini make noise when going at cruising speed and how often does it need to be replaced if outdoor all summer? Which do more people seek for resale value? Any other considerations?

 

[FREEDOM!!!]

Just get the hard top. You won't regret it.

 

[Capt Tom]

Hardtop with curtains, that's what makes these DC's superior to CC's IMO. Don't always have fair seas and nice weather out on the water.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I wouldn't buy a boat without a hardtop on it. It only adds to the value of the boat, it keeps you out of the elements, looks better and you don't have to replace it every xx amount of years like you would with a Bimini top. Performance is of little or no concern to me in that I don't care if a hardtop makes the boat slightly less fuel efficient or if it makes the boat not go quite as fast. Because I don't care about either of those things in that I don't need to hit a certain top speed and if I get say 3.0 mpg as opposed to 3.1 mpg, it's not enough to lose sleep over... or even close to it.

 

[drbatts]

Hard top all the way. There are countless postings about people trying to find a hardtop or trying to bastardize a used one to fit their boat because they didn't a buy boat with a hard top. I have never heard anyone say " I want to get rid of this hard top and replace it with a bimini". A hard top also gives you added space for electronics, life jacket storage, and gets your antennas out of the way and in a better position.

 

[glacierbaze]

And get a rocket launcher with at least six tubes straight up 15*, and maybe two out to the side. Four is just lost opportunity.

 

[SkunkBoat]

The time to get the hardtop is when the boat is brand new. get a Grady OEM hardtop. It is THE single best option on a boat.
Don't even think about cheaping out with a bimini.
The only legit reason to get a bimini is if you have to go under very low bridges to get out. In that case though I would say find another slip or ramp....

 

[Fishtales]

Hardtop all the way.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

And get a rocket launcher with at least six tubes straight up 15*, and maybe two out to the side. Four is just lost opportunity.

I would disagree. I think the biggest consideration would be what kind of fishing or boating you do. If you're like me and live in an area where you can only fish one rod per person, as well as oftentimes fish with less than four people, then it's a non issue. I've got the factory Grady White hardtop with the four rocket launchers on the sides of the hardtop as opposed to being mounted on the top of it. Between those four, the four plastic rod holders next to the live well, the four total underneath the gunwales and the three or four inside of the cabin... I'm thinking with around 16 rod holders total that I'll be more than just fine.

 

[Fishtales]

You can always get the hardtop rod holder from GW or a local shop. Not expensive to ship from WWW if you want OEM.
They are good for a lot of things.
- Get fishing rods up and out of the way / sight.
- Flying a flag at special occasions. There was a flag holder made for a rod holder at one time.
- Making a make shift canopy for a hot day or overnighter.
- Freeing up the gunnel rod holders for a table (can be fish or just casual table) or boat bar (I've seen some really nice ones that hold a few bottles and the equipment to mix and serve drinks) a grill or even just space for folks to lean or sit.
- Cleaning brushes, gaff or boat hook use.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I love the look of the rocket launchers that are added on top of the hardtop. In my particular application, it would quite honestly just be for looks as they would rarely, if ever get used. I'm not sure how much the rocket launchers are from WMW Marine or whatnot, but I'm sure they're probably at least $500-$1,000 and I think for me, that money would be better spent elsewhere. Again, just my opinions on the matter of course.

 

[Peter A]

Hardtop. A big and expensive option that you won’t regret on a new or used boat. Generally better sun and weather protection, durability, side curtain size and mounting, firm handholds, storage overhead in a bin or netting, rocket launchers, antenna/radar/FLIR/outrigger/
accessory mounting. You can troll more lines - not like with outriggers but ok.

Looks good as well. My 208 with bow pulpit and hardtop looks like a Grady and a “pocket-size” big boat, versus a runabout-sized craft.

Only downside is I would want a topless boat for fly fishing or if you really fight a fish all the way around a boat. But that would be best served by a CC or a bigger walkaround.

 

[Fishtales]

I hear you on the cost, but as I tell my kids, if your worried about $1K, this may not be the right hobby/obsession for you.

 

[luckydude]

Another vote for hardtop. I just sold mine to a buddy who had a bimini and he pointed out that he didn't trailer with the bimini on. So that meant every trip there was a half hour of putting it on at the harbor and another half hour of taking it off. He's not retired so that extra hour is a big deal to him. He's super happy with the hardtop.

 

[glacierbaze]

So, sticking with the Freedom 235, how much is the hardtop option from Grady?

 

[FREEDOM!!!]

So, sticking with the Freedom 235, how much is the hardtop option from Grady?

New I think it's around $15k.

 

[Mustang65fbk]

I hear you on the cost, but as I tell my kids, if your worried about $1K, this may not be the right hobby/obsession for you.

I'm definitely not worried about the $1k, though I'm admittedly a bit of a minimalist and/or a frugal person in that I'm not going to pay for something that I won't ever use. I see no point in spending $1k on something that will be used just for looks, as that money can be better spent elsewhere on something like radar, a kicker motor or something else.