CONTINUOUSWAVE

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Q1: how is a owner-added T-Top secured to the deck of a 2000 DAUNTLESS 18?

Q2: will adding a T-top to the deck of a 2000 DAUNTLESS 18 cause the deck to lift and separate [from the Unibond hull]?

BACKSTORY

I may add a FISHMASTER Pro Series T-Top to my 2000 DAUNTLESS 18.

Principal Problem in Adding an After-Market T-Top to a Unibond Hull

A large, tall T-Top will create significant forces when the boat is underway at speed, and also even higher forces when the boat is being trailered at highway speeds. Boston Whaler boats that have factory installed t-Tops are designed for T-Tops, and the hull will have been manufactured with internal backing plates in specific locations for the attachment of the leg bases of the T-Top, and the T-Top structure will have been designed with a particular strength and rigidity to match the strength and rigidity of the hull and deck at the points of attachments in order that flexing of the hull will not cause stress on the t-Top (particularly any welds in the T-Top) and vice-versa.

When adding an after=market T-Top none of that design, engineering, and fabrication will be present. You will have to just trust to pure luck that you can fasten the T-Top in place without causing harm to the hull and deck, and then cross you fingers that the fasteners will be able to find sufficient purchase into the relatively thin laminate of the deck to hold the T-Top in place when there is is significant wind pressure. Due to the nature of the Unibond hull there is no possibility of using through-bolting method or adding backing plates.


Other considerations before adding an after-market T-Top

The fixed added hieght of the T-Top will inhibit storing the boat in a garage or any low-clearance space, indoors and outdoors. The shade created by a tall T-Top is limited, particularly if you are boating at latitudes above about 20-degrees. The weight and wind resistance of a T-Top will reduce boat performance, particularly if trying to make way into headwinds.