Looking for a Foldable T-Top for a RIB

Hypalon · 04 March 2025, 16:36

I'm looking for a T-Top for my 18’ RIB that is easily foldable. I store my RIB in the garage, so I need a T-Top that I can quickly and effectively fold down at the end of a fishing trip.

I previously had a Stryker T-Top on my 16’ Inmar, and while it was technically foldable, the narrow inner beam of the RIB made it difficult to fold properly. It did fold, but it still stood about 10 feet in the air, which wasn’t practical for garage storage.

Does anyone know of a company that makes a T-Top specifically for RIBs that can fold all the way down? I’d appreciate any recommendations!

Peter_C · 06 March 2025, 18:14

There isn't any difference between a hard boat center console and a rib center console. You might want one that breaks at a mid point, and it might require something like a plywood box contraption to keep the folded part off the interior. Tower companies like Atlantic Towers have towers and t-tops already designed. The cost difference for a custom tower probably isn't much as accessories are most often desired and many do just bolt on, others require welding.

One of the biggest costs will be shipping. I'd call around to local companies and get quotes. Most any boat tower manufacturer can build you whatever you want.

Personally I would build a tower that goes to the floor. When pounding in waves there is a lot of forces I'd rather not put to the console itself. Plates under the floor and thru bolted would be a good practice.

https://www.google.com/search?q=fold...t=gws-wiz-serp

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating...ble-t-top.html

This Hull Truth website is a wealth of information.
https://www.google.com/search?q=fold...h=596&dpr=2.22

Hypalon · 06 March 2025, 22:59

Thank you for taking the time to give your input. I agree, I don’t want to bolt the top to the center console for the reasons you mention. Fishmaster make the one in the video below that folds a 2nd time, and that is the closest I’ve seen without going into something custom.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EFS8nhgfjI&t=416s

TwIsTeD TuRtLe · 13 April 2025, 02:32

I just ordered one from Fishmasters which will be delivered tomorrow.
Im a Greenhorn here but ill try to do a write up with pics.
This will be going on a 2016 19' AB Inflatables RIB

Hypalon · 13 April 2025, 16:46

I ordered mine from Fishmaster. They were quick to ship and offer three different models. I purchased the Pro version, it's the mid model in the line. The problem was that it didn’t come with instructions, and the model has been updated since the instructional video was made. As a result, the video was largely unhelpful. Additionally, the hardware they included was meant for the entry-level model, not the one I purchased and received, which made the process incredibly frustrating.

I couldn’t figure out the hardware at first—now I know it’s because it wasn’t correct. The video assembly didn’t match the updated design, which added to the confusion. In the end, I did manage to get it assembled, and it does look good.

After reading reviews, (there are a lot of negative reviews online) I decided to make sure it was square to the boat before drilling. This added extra time because I essentially had to install it, then remove the canopy, and reinstall it again. You’ll definitely need another person to assist you. In our case, it wasn’t completely aligned with the boat, so one person had to apply force to align it while the other tightened it.

The entire process took us about six hours. At least an hour of that was spent trying to figure things out due to the lack of instructions. Keep in mind that the video online is seven years old, and the unit has been updated since then.

I haven’t attempted to fold it yet. Because a RIB boat has wide tubes, there’s less space at the bow, so I don’t think this top will fold effectively enough to fit in the garage.

I did contact Fishmaster the following day. They were quick to respond, sent out the missing hardware promptly, and seemed genuinely concerned about my satisfaction. You may want to reach out to them beforehand and ask for the instruction PDF via email—just to make sure you have everything you need before you start.

Peter_C · 13 April 2025, 20:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hypalon

I haven’t attempted to fold it yet. Because a RIB boat has wide tubes, there’s less space at the bow, so I don’t think this top will fold effectively enough to fit in the garage.

You could always deflate the bow tube to get another foot or so. Just put something like a couch/chair/throw cushion on the bow locker to support the tower (Or a wood rack to support the folded tower, which is what I had in the past).

Dropping the trailer tongue onto a ground level dolly will gain another foot or so, and then use a 120volt winch to pull it into the garage. Reverse pull it out with a snatch block off your tow rig and pull the trailer back out. In reality it is probably easier and more accurate to put the boat back in the garage using a winch, as you can guide it in by hand with full visibility at a very controlled speed. A stand on skid steer works great too!

Another option is to make the T-top section shorter on the front or back to make it fold low enough. Just requires a welder and some smaller diameter tubing. Actually it could be just bolted back together, as it isn't structural, but that would be janky.

Hypalon · 13 April 2025, 22:09

For now, I have the boat stored at an indoor facility with high ceilings. During the off-season, I’ll figure out a way to get it back into the garage. I think the easiest solution will be to remove the top and, when I’m ready to use it again, simply bolt the hinge section back on for installation.

The reality is, getting the boat into the garage was a hassle. I had to remove the windshield, lower the roll bar and antenna— and all that extra work takes away from the fun of the trip. That’s on top of the usual cleaning and flushing. So I decided to keep it stored during the season. This way, I can just hook it up and go without all the hassle of reassembly.