Top 5 Hard Tops In The Day Boat Game

May 11

Ranking The Top 5 Hard Tops in Day Boating

If you caught my last deep dive—“The Anatomy of a Hard Top”—you’ll know that I take my shaded structures quite seriously. From seamless windshield integrations to moonroofs and hidden sunshades, I laid out what separates a well-executed hard top from the ones that shift back and forth while you’re cruising.

Now it’s time to name names.

But before we get into it, let’s get one thing straight: this is not an exhaustive list, and yes, your favorite might have been left out. That doesn’t make it bad. It just means it didn’t make the cut. I’m self-aware enough to know I’m not the judge, nor the jury, on hard top design (even if I have some strong opinions). Great hard tops exist beyond this list—but these five? They nailed it.

So whether you’re here for inspiration, validation, or just to see if your pick made it, let’s celebrate the hard tops that are raising the bar.

#5 - Invictus TT460

Simple is as simple does. Say what you will about the rest of the boat (its a love/hate thing), but the hardtop of the Invictus 460 is a perfect match to the hull below. It’s semi-seductive. There is no beginning or end to the windshield and hardtop, just one smooth structure fulfilling both needs. And as the structure continues aft, soft lines and inset LEDs make it nearly disappear from your consciousness.

#4 - Fjord 41XP

If I had a sub-category for most functional hard top, The Fjord 41XP might take the cake. While its design is—well—standard, its significant coverage area, glass panels, hidden aft sunshade and the nifty incorporation of the forward support poles is worthy of inclusive in the top 5. This is simply a solid, no-messing-around hard top.

#3 - Bluegame BG54

Before you jump to conclusions, consider this… Not only does the hard top styling match the boat’s general design 1:1, this structure might be the most expensive hard top to build on our list: louvered roof, glass panels, a dropdown TV, a beautiful matte black finishing paint and pin lighting, all under a structure that is nearly 16 feet wide! This is—by far—the largest most decked out hard top on our list. Put some respect on the Bluegame name.

#2 - Wajer 77

In our supporting blog—The Anatomy of a Hard Top—additional hard top support poles are usually a eyesore. Not on the Wajer 77. Here, the numerous support poles and accents are an asset to the greater design, using unorthodox intersecting lines (in multiple locations) to secure and stylize the hard top. When the support pole angles are complimented by matching accent lines in the windshield, that’s a mic drop moment. Underneath, its grand size is supported by gloss black finishes seen throughout the rest of the cockpit. The design is so pure, it could make it on this top 5 list for that alone.

#1 - Vanquish VQ55

There’s no company doing hard tops better than Vanquish, and no Vanquish hard top better than the VQ55. Ultra-wide support beams, perfect fusion between windshield and hard top, MASSIVE glass panels, a hidden sunshade who’s housing is perfectly flush with the hard top’s design, and a load of intangibles I can’t put into words. Its the only hard top that outperforms the hull underneath, and its only better once you’ve stepped on board. Its clear to see there were many design meetings strictly for this feature.

Want to share your opinion on our Top 5, or start the journey to purchasing your next boat? Schedule a call via the calendar below.

About the Author

Reed Nicol is a licensed yacht broker with experience in all corners of the marine industry. He’s worked as an executive and sales director in yacht manufacturing and distribution, has structured commercial charter operations, and designed and executed notable refits. Read more about Reed’s marine journey, his love of helping 1st time boaters and his entrepreneurial spirit here.

Reed Nicol [Licensed FL Yacht Broker #11926]
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