Bimini top recommendations

[strokeoluck]

Thanks again to all of you for your comments and responses to my new-boater questions. This forum is great from two different perspectives: 1) pretty darn user friendly and intuitive - hats off to the folks that set it up; and 2) the users are very knowledgeable and willing to help - it's much appreciated. Hopefully I'll be on the answer dispensing side of the equation in a few years.

As I see more pictures of smaller inland boats (<22' bowriders mostly) it seems the majority of them have a bimini top on them - usually folded up and sticking up at an angle towards the back of the boat. We plan on trailering our boat and storing it in our garage. A few questions off the top of my head...

* Do most people use these tops? In trying to think ahead I'm guessing that it could get pretty warm being out on the lake for a half day, or all day, and the shade would be somewhat welcome.

* I'm assuming these things can be folded down so I can get it in my garage? And, if so, does it fold down to the "sun deck" (?) - that flat cushion area covering the engine? Does that get in the way of activities taking place in the back of the boat (swimming, tubing, etc.)?

* What's the typical height on these things? I'm 6' and would assume I'd want a couple inches of clearance when standing up - right?

* What's the typical length? Many of the pictures make the top look awfully short, and I'm wondering how helpful they really are if they're only 4' - 5' long. Should I get one that goes from the windshield back to the rear seats? That way if someone wants sun they can always sit in front.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

they store them at the angle inorder to give more room in the boat, they are out of the way. yes, people use them. i am in total agreement that the 6 or 8 foot top is more useful, as the sun does come around them. i have a 23 foot deck boat, that has a 6 ft top, it is practically useless, especially when the sun is not at high noon. as you can see in this picture the 6 ft top gives little protection.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

We use ours almost every time we go out. It was the first thing we added after we bought her.
Took her into a local canvas shop, $1100 installed including the enclosure and adjusting my existing cockpit cover to fit around the poles.

* What's the typical height on these things? I'm 6' and would assume I'd want a couple inches of clearance when standing up - right?

I'm 5'11" and there is 6-8" of headroom when I'm standing. You wouldn't want to be ducking under it all day.

When not in use it folds up and leans on the rear supports. For storage at home we disconnect the rear supports and lay it down on the sunpad. The only time we lay it down on the water is when we are going under a particularly low rail bridge.

When open it covers from the windshield to the front of the rear bench seat.

We went the extra mile and added the full enclosure, front, side & aft curtains. For the side we have both screens & Isinglass. We have the cuddy cabin forward and overnight quite often. With the screens we have a nice area to sit in the evening without getting eaten alive by bugs and with the glass we can be comfortable even when the temps are down in the 40's.

 

[QC]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

One suggestion for both of you (TD and OP) is to go as short as possible to extend the time of day they are effective, yes length matters too. I am only 5'7" and I want my head to just barely clear the top when I a standing at the helm, in fact slightly touching is OK too. This makes a huge difference as it takes much monger for the sun to get under it.

Also, dark blue and solid color as TD's above is best. Blue doesn't really fade, the dark color "feels" cooler as far as shade is concerned, and it's easier on the eyes.

TD's needs to go further forward and lower. Get out the hack saw!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

then it will not clear when laid all the way down. mine is just one of Chris Crafts screw up. my other boats i have the sliding deck mounts, it makes them very adjustable.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

i found this shot to give a different view. as the guys all ready said longer=better shorter=better
mine is a 2 piece that zips together just behind the helm seats. this makes it easy to to put up and down but i have found we either have both up or down. other that extra strengh, and not having to use straps, and trailer short distances not realy a big deal
if you look at the yellow bimini it fastens to the windsheild in front. this feature lets you do away with the front straps but i have found its nice to be able to have a gap between the windsheild and bimini for air circulation on a hot day

 

[QC]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

There is an alternative to the slide mount if all you want is good stowage aft when down. My last two boats simply had two mounts, one aft so it would lie down on the furthest aft point of the lounge, or top of transom, and one forward for daily use up.

 

[salty87]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

i can't stand up under mine. not that big of a deal to me. i don't stand when i drive.

worth its weight in gold in the summer.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

We have one on out boat too and like said above, it's in use almost every time we're on the water. I can't imagine being without it and having the sun pound down on you and the family all day. For us it's a must have and well worth the price!

 

[H8tank]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

It can get quite hot without one, I don't mind, but the girls do.

Mine is very low, I guess to ride better at speed, but it's no biggie.

 

[Tahoe 55]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

You have a keel gaurd on that boat H8tank?
Looks like a rocky beach....

 

[Fu-Inator]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

We use our top every time out too but not all day. Usually we open it up later in the afternoon. It is great if you don't want to kids in the sun all day. Makes for a nice shaded picnic area when eating lunch in the middle of the lake.

I'm short, so I have no problem hitting my head...lol.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

I have a 21 foot cuddy. In really bright sun I put up my regular top. It is low. behind that I use the Bimini which is about 7 feet high, so I get the best of both. You will never regret buying the Bimini and for a family boat it should be the first accessory purchased.

 

[strokeoluck]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

Thanks everyone. Seems you're all in agreement that this is a good purchase. After reading your posts I think I'll get one that sits roughly 6' 6" (or so) high so we have enough head room for me and any of my taller neighbors or relatives that my be on the boat. Additionally I think I'd opt for the longer version - maybe 8' long. I'd rather have too much shade, than too little (and have to head in for the day).

Now my next question is, what are my options for doing this on my own? I saw someone paid $1,100 to have theirs done. I was hoping to keep it <$500, mainly because I'm frugal.

I also noticed someone said something about "slide mounts" (?). How does that work? Why are they better than other types of mounts? Regardless of whether one has slide mounts or not, don't you still have to strap them down - which would render the "slide" useless?

I saw a YouTube bimini top installation video that seemed to indicate it was pretty easy to install one of these on your own. Is that accurate?

What's the best brand and/or most user friendly bimini top?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

you can see in the pictures the track for the sliding bimini mount. this allows you to move the base. the straps are adjustable. you can lower the front or back to block the sun. it also allows you to move the complete top out of the way when stored.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

I have a similar set up to Tashasdaddy on my boat. I have a 8' bimini top on a 16' lund fishing boat. This is great for rain or shine. The slider rails allow me to store the top folded down in front of the front seat. When it's up, I slide it all the way back so it covers the rear 8' of my boat. I use mine year round and have loved having it.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

http://biminitops.iboats.com/?*******=266156653&**********=783545503


have you checked hire on i-bpats yet?
they allso have free shipping on bimini tops now and have quite a big slection

 

[bekosh]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

The $1100 was mine. That was for the entire enclosure. The shop quoted me $450 for the Bimini by itself with the option of adding the enclosure later. Being in Minnesota, you might consider that for the future. Having the option of closeing off the entire cockpit from the elements means boating from April-October instead of just May-September. And not worrying so much about a 40-50% chance of rain on an otherwise nice day.

Doing a basic bimini yourself is a piece of cake. Iboats is a great option for buying. Taylor-Made is a good quality brand.

Another option, since you have a newer boat, would be to call a local Bayliner dealer and see if they have an extra factory one in stock. Get that OEM look.

 

[H8tank]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

You have a keel gaurd on that boat H8tank?
Looks like a rocky beach....

It's sand with pebbles on a protected cove, pretty soft actually. It's a great camping island we use in the summer, very good deep water access right to shore.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Bimini top recommendations

I also have a bimini with full enclosure on my Pro-Line. Great to have and, as previously mentioned, extends your season. One of the nicest boating days I had last year was in mid-October, just before I pulled the boat.

It was a nice sunny day, temp no higher than 50. There was nobody else on the water and the radiant heat trapped by the top and enclosure made the cockpit very comfortable. We took a nice long cruise all by ourselves. It was a near-perfect end to the season. I really loved boating that day...