I narrowed my choice down to the Stryker SG600. I liked this top because it had larger diameter tubes and a nice contour. I got the black powder coated version to match my boat. The package also came with two grab handles, 2 mounts for accessories, and two rod holders. One of the things I did not like was that the extra "freebies" came in in anodized rather than a black finish. I am in the process of returning the rod holders for black ones. I purchased a set of black ones when I ordered the top so that I could have 4. I had thought about keeping the two anodized but I found one had a striped out fastener bolt that would have been a pain to remove.
There were a ton of bad reviews on the company, mostly shipping delays. A few were for cracked welds. People were also saying they had an F rating with the BBB. I checked the BBB and they are now an A+ rating. LINK . I contacted Stryker and questioned them on the delayed shipping and they assured me that they have since changed owners and all shipping problems resolved. If you order early in the day it ships same day. I ordered on a Friday night (8:30PM) and received UPS shipping notification the following Monday. The top arrived the following Friday at 2PM. I would say that is pretty good considering they are out of California and I'm in Georgia. The 2 big boxes had straps over a thick plastic shrieked on cover. Each piece inside was wrapped in a packing foam sheet and each leg end had a rubber cap. The only think that was weak was the box the hardware came in. It had split open and the bolts had come out of their ziplock bag. None of them came out of the crack so all were accounted for. The rod holders, grab handles and accessory mounts came in a separate small box as did the other rod holders I ordered.
After installing the top I would say my biggest issue (with the top) was that some of the threads in the top were fouled. They were either messed up threads or power coat in the holes. It seemed more like damaged or not properly tapped threads. I had to run the bolts in a little back them out repeat. This was at least 4 holes. One I thought would not go in at all until I finally took a chance of breaking something and forced it on in. Luckily it was in the top frame rather than the uprights since I have to remove those often to lower the top to fit in my garage.
Install....
I did a ton of searching to see how others were installing tops onto aluminum boats. Fishmaster listed several customer installs with G3s and Stryker had one or two aluminum models. One or two put down plates on the floor then attached to those. I contacted Fishmaster and asked them and they suggested no additional floor support was needed. They had just did an install on a G3 Bay Deluxe that is very much like mine and they screwed it right to the deck. I decided to risk it and did the same along with some black 5200 adhesive/sealant.
I had to put my stand offs low and on the back legs. My boat is short (18 foot) so the top would sit too far back if I matched the back leg to the back edge of the console. Once I went the minimum distance forward it did not leave many standoff mounting options.
After cutting the stand offs to size and bolting them on the top still had a little movement. I determined the console side walls had some give. I knew this would eventually be a problem. I needed more bracing. Stryker did not have the standoff available for individual sale and Fishmaster wanted 70 bucks for what looked to be plastic stand offs. I decided to put a stand off from the middle bar to the grab bar on the console. The excess aluminum spacer I had cut from the original stand offs fit perfect in that spot. I went to the hardware store and picked up two 6 inch bolts, spacers, nuts, and lock washers (they were out of lock nuts), all stainless. I also had to get a long drill bit (1/4") that would reach through the bar on the top over to and through the grab bar on the rail.
Once I installed these, the back stiffened right up and feels rock solid. I did this in my garage with the top part off so I won't know how stiff the front two legs are until I get it back together. If it is lose I have the option of buying braces from Stryker that go from the front legs to the front of the console or taking the top off and selling it. I hope it doesn't come to that but I knew this going in.
The install was fairly easy for two people. It was very hot here so I go the main stuff done and let my friend go cool off! I worked on it on and off the rest of the day and finished up the next. Lacing the top was one of the most time consuming parts of the install.
Whether you decide to run half the rope through at the front and go down each side and meet in the back or start one end at the back and go all around, I suggest doing one hole at a time. It seemed to move faster that way over running the rope through a couple at a time and feeding through. I found that if I did that, the rope would bind and also twist up, slowing me down. The main thing is to take your time and keep everything in place. You will have to go back in a day or so and tighten it up so leave the excess rope until you are happy with the tightness.
I added a second orange cord with a reflective ribbon. I have not decided if I will keep it or not. The Orange ties in my registration numbers.
How much room do I have?
The biggest factor is walking room between the console and the side of the boat. It was narrow before the top. With the top installed it is 11 inches (wide) of floor space. Enough room for me to have my feet side by side. I can walk through easily with caution. I larger man would have to take even more care not to lose balance and go over the side lol. From the top of the gunwale to the legs is about 2 feet. From the top of the foam filled enclosures/brace it is about 16 inches.
I may have lost a square foot or less of floor space at the front. The seat/bait tank front is curved and the legs fall right at the front edge.
I can still stand on the front part of the back deck and only have to bend slightly the further back I go. I have about two feet past the t-top where I can stand up right. I will just have to watch not to catch my noggin on the rod holders.
From the bottom of the back legs to the edge of the back deck is 19 1/2 inches. From that same point on the legs, the top goes back 2 feet over the deck, just past the back of the seat.
Here are some install pictures...
I will give my finial review of Stryker and the top one I have my rod holders replaced. As of now they have had great customer service.
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