Is a bimini top worth it??

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

i actually do.. i like your idea steve.. is there anyway you can give me directions on how to do it

 

[ziggy]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

sweet Larson steve....... yer bimini looks like just what zach needs to get onto...... very nice.........

 

[azlakes]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

If you like building stuff - you could always build your own. I built a simple one for my boat for less than $20

... nice job for 20 bucks. ya post a sticky on how to.

 

[Marcq]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

If you like building stuff - you could always build your own. I built a simple one for my boat for less than $20.

1/2" galvanized EMT conduit
3/4" plastic bimini fittings
1 yard duck canvas
camping straps

It took me 1/2 day to build it because I'm kind of dumb and it took me awhile to get the hang of the conduit bender.

The bimini supports on the rear of the bimini are also made out of EMT so I can fold the bimini back while trailering and it holds it off the deck.

Steve

Hey, I like that, sure looks like easy to make and I have to replace mine, cooool

Marc..

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Looks great Steve. You did a fabulous job. Where did you get the conduit bender?

 

[DavidD]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

My ebbtide came with a low bimini that snaps to the windshield with a back enclosure. I'm 6'4" and really did not care to be crawling around under that top so I've removed it and am going to get a full height one to replace it with.Anyone else replaced there original with a taller one?

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

I can appreciate the homemade stuff, nothing like making it yourself, next time I see an old tent or something with aluminum poles I going to grab it up. My 67 MFG has a top and its made from what looks like plain ol emt conduit although it has a plastic coating over it, kinds looks like pvc but it's just plastic coated emt, My 1990 boat has alumuinum for the poles.

 

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

i have an old tent we dont use... but its green.. should i paint it or go with a better quality fabric??

 

[Marcq]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

i have an old tent we dont use... but its green.. should i paint it or go with a better quality fabric??

You could try to stain it with dye, now that I think about it, I have an old tent too

Marc..

 

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

there ya go marc.. you can make one too unless you already have one.. i might want to use some heavier fabric tho just to make it look nice

 

[Marcq]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

there ya go marc.. you can make one too unless you already have one.. i might want to use some heavier fabric tho just to make it look nice

I have an old tent made out of heavy fabric, it's like beige, it's very old, made in the 70s but the zippers are shot. wanted to throw that thing in the garbage a long time ago, but always thought I could find use for it, good thing I didn't going to try to stain it

I have one already but starting to see the sky trough it

Marc..

 

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

tell me how the staining comes out..

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Hey guys,

The conduit bender can be purchased at the big box stores. I got mine at Harbor Freight for $20 or so. It's a nice tool to have, but I'm sure you could borrow one from a buddy that does electrical work.

It took me 4 pieces of 1/2" conduit because I screwed up the first two. 1/2" EMT conduit is real cheap. I measured my boats width, and just started winging it.

I found the plastic bimini end caps and sliders online. The end caps run about $0.75 each, and the sliders were about $1.50 if I remember correctly. 3/4" bimini slides and caps fit into 1/2" EMT conduit almost perfectly. I think a 10' joint of 1/2" EMT runs about $1.50.

I got the canvas duck cloth at Walmart. It works well for my first one, but I'll eventually order some Sunbrella or something like that. My first one is already showing signs of fading.

After I got the frames bent and mounted on the boat, I used some string to hold the bimini to the width I wanted. I then laid the duck canvas over the frame and marked it with a chalk line so I knew where to cut. After I cut the fabric, I hemmed it about 1" all around so that it wouldn't fray, and installed small brass grommets and used zip ties to attach it to the frame.

It's held up very well to date. I hope this helps. I'll try to get some pictures as soon as I find my camera.

Steve

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Hi Steve, what year is that Larson? I had a 1960 14' like yours except it was a peach color. More like,,,,,PINK! It was a ucky color, but turned heads. I had a 55hp Seaking and it was fun. Sorta miss the ole girl..........SS

 

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

whats the best fabric to use for it.. im thinking maybe i can wrap the fabric around the poles and have it sewn together right there.. sounds simple enough tho.. might be asking some questions.. where did you get the EMT Conduit

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

whats the best fabric to use for it.. im thinking maybe i can wrap the fabric around the poles and have it sewn together right there.. sounds simple enough tho.. might be asking some questions.. where did you get the EMT Conduit

I would recommend Sunbrella because I've used it before and had good results. There are many good marine canvas fabrics out there. I used cheap Walmart duck canvas because I wasn't sure how well my bimini would work. Now that I know it works well, I'll get around to making the real one out of Sunbrella.

Here's a bimini I made for my other Larson - it's a trampoline style, and the color held very well in the Texas sun. It also uses the grommets and rope for the trampoline style similar to the Toyota boats.

I purchased the EMT conduit at Home Depot.

As for sewing, I think that's a good idea. I tried that originally, but I couldn't get all of the slack out of the bimini when it was pulled taut. I'm not good enough on a sewing machine to figure out all of those angles and curves.

 

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

me either. im sure i can find someone if i did that.. how did you connnect yours?? and where do you get the sunbrella? online somehwere?

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

me either. im sure i can find someone if i did that.. how did you connnect yours?? and where do you get the sunbrella? online somehwere?

I installed grommets every 6" or so along the front and rear edge. Then I used cable ties (zip ties) to secure it to the conduit. I'm still trying to find my camera.

Sunbrella = ebay.

 

[jennis9]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

wondering about the canvas cover we already have on the boat. how does the bimini affect the canvas and snaps. do you need to have it altered by the canvas shop ?

 

[DavidD]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

What do you use to sew the canvas?