Skiboat Top

Iverson’s Design

The purpose of this specialized powerboat top project in Olympia, Wash., was to provide the client with a number of benefits that enhanced the boat for the sport of wakeboarding. He requested a top that could replace the need for a wakeboard tower because he didn't like the large, bulky appearance of it. He also wanted to be able to fit the boat into his garage at home. (Wakeboard towers are too tall for standard 8' high garage doors.)

The uniqueness of this project was in the hybridization of several distinct functions. Not only is it a boat top that protects the driver and passengers in the cockpit from the weather, but it is also a specialized aparatus for the sport of wakeboarding.

It becomes the point of attachment from which a wakeboarder is pulled, eliminating the need for a tower.

It has intergrated wakeboard holders for storing wakeboards.

Also incorporated into the back of the top is a welded-on grab rail that enables the person spotting a wakeboarder to stand. The grab rail also makes getting in and out of the cockpit much easier.

The top can function as a bimini top by removing the three front panels that act as an extention to the existing glass windshield, also giving the driver the ability to stand at the wheel and use the top as a support for stability while driving in rough water or at times when a higher line of sight is needed.

Because the boat’s hull had existing night reflective striping, a silver night reflective material was incorporated to intergrate the top with the boat. This also increased the night visability of the boat on the water, which became a safety benefit.

The results of this project were a success. Upon completion of this job the client took the boat for a weeklong vacation to Lake Shasta. He stated that the top functioned perfectly and that he had many compliments about its unique function and characteristics. The design of the frame allowed the client to pull wakeboarders with ease and the frame did not budge.