Every boat enthusiast knows the need to have a boat top to provide shade, a cover that spreads from bow to the windshield, or an enclosure that protects the cabin. Review the definition of the two basic boat top below in order to find the right top for you and your boat. What are soft tops? Soft tops are attached directly to the top of the windshield and are supported by a metal frame. They are designed to keep the occupants of the boat dry and out of the sun and wind. Many best cuddy cabin boats come standard with soft tops. What are hard top boats? Hardtops, as the name implies, are firm roofs that sit on the top of the boat, which are often recommended for recreational boats. The main purpose of this is to provide you adequate protection from the elements. They are more expensive than soft tops, which makes them not as popular as soft tops amongst budget-conscious boating enthusiasts. Today, people are willing to spend more money on boats and the common feature they want is a hardtop. What are the advantages? The following are some of the advantages of hardtops that make them a great investment. Yes, they might be more expensive and add a little more weight to the boat but in the end, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. • Protection from the elements – One of the most noticeable benefits of hardtops is the protection they offer from the weather and the elements. Hardtops are generally safer to take out into the sea; especially if you plan to stay on the water for a long time. • Clear visibility – another important feature of hardtop boats is the ability to provide better visibility. In these boats, the console is wrapped on all sides with windows, which allows you to clearly see what’s in front of you even if the winds are high and the weather is not as great as you would like it to be. Yet, you still get all-round visibility that would help you see better. Best family cruiser boats often have this feature. • Space – Provided that you choose a hardtop that is durable and can bear weight, it can be used as storage as you can store equipment over it. Moreover, it can also be a place where you can lounge on after placing a couple of chairs on them.
