What's the best top for my needs?

[ShoestringMariner]

I've been debating on what top to get for my 16' aluminum bow rider. On one hand a bimini top appeals as its cheaper and readily available. On the other hand, I'm wondering if a walkthrough stand up top is better for me.

But I've never had either so I dont know what they are lke to use.

The main reason I want a top is to stay out of the sun and rain while fishing and maybe a little bit of midday sun cruising. Neither top looks particularily easy to fish around.

I fear the bimini will be only mildly helpful in the rain and the standup top hot and stuffy in the sun.

I also need a top that when closed, sits across the splashwell in a storage boot, not up in the air like I often see.

thoughts?

 

[ahicks]

One word comes to mind, compromise!

For my purposes, which tend to be fair weather only (no rain) I would go bimini. If it were for colder weather (like late season Great Lakes steel head fishing) I'd go walk through for wind protection.

 

[Alumarine]

Have you priced a walk through stand up top with side curtains? It will be custom.
That might make the decision easier!

 

[CaptainSteveo]

I've been debating on what top to get for my 16' aluminum bow rider. On one hand a bimini top appeals as its cheaper and readily available. On the other hand, I'm wondering if a walkthrough stand up top is better for me.

But I've never had either so I dont know what they are lke to use.

The main reason I want a top is to stay out of the sun and rain while fishing and maybe a little bit of midday sun cruising. Neither top looks particularily easy to fish around.

I fear the bimini will be only mildly helpful in the rain and the standup top hot and stuffy in the sun.

I also need a top that when closed, sits across the splashwell in a storage boot, not up in the air like I often see.

thoughts?

I currently have a bimini which is excellent for shade. It does ok with keeping light rain off, but not very good for heavy rain. From my experience the enclosed top was useless as collected so much heat in the sun I was miserable with it.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

One word comes to mind, compromise!

For my purposes, which tend to be fair weather only (no rain) I would go bimini. If it were for colder weather (like late season Great Lakes steel head fishing) I'd go walk through for wind protection.

I do fish well into October which was part of my wondering.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Have you priced a walk through stand up top with side curtains? It will be custom.
That might make the decision easier!

You might be quite right. I'm not expecting it to be cheap. I can do $1500 ish but not if we're like 3K and up.

 

[garbageguy]

consider overturning moment (center of weight above waterline, and windage)

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I currently have a bimini which is excellent for shade. It does ok with keeping light rain off, but not very good for heavy rain. From my experience the enclosed top was useless as collected so much heat in the sun I was miserable with it.

Is that because you were enclosed? or were the sides off when you needed shade.

I think what I'm looking for is called a "convertable top" with removable sides

 

[CaptainSteveo]

Is that because you were enclosed? or were the sides off when you needed shade.

I think what I'm looking for is called a "convertable top" with removable sides

It had roll up sides, but still had considerable wind block in front and back corners. Removable sides might be much better as it would collect less heat up top. But I would still think it's probably not going to be great for hot sunny days. But if you have more cold days then hot it might be worth it.

 

[Texasmark]

I fish alone and like to cruise. I have movable pedestal seat sockets several places whereby a piece of 2" PVC Sch. 40 fits nicely and is removable. I had used a regular umbrella (4 ½') but want more area so I just ordered one of these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Beach-Umbr...var=420965862036&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Unlike a Bimini Top, no braces and tie downs to get in your way fishing, no "gee what do I do with it when it's down". Pole and umbrella just lie next to my 5' boat paddle (oar derivative) adjacent to the rod locker out of the way. Being a beach umbrella with 8 braces should stand up nicely to cruising speeds. May work for you, just an idea.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Do you fish and will it get in your way a 16 foot boat doesn’t leave a lot of room with any top that is up. I have owned a 16 foot Alaskan with a folding top that was a walk through at the pedistals the boat had a full cross windshield that had a folding center section. The top folded down onto the transom when not in use. Its cold and windy as all get out here in Spring salmon season I thought it would be great so i paid a lot extra for this custom cover tall enough for a 6 foot persons To be under.

I used it twice and it sat rollled up and folded down a full year before I unbolted that crap and got it out of my way You can compensate for wind and weather with clothing but a top thats in your way is IN YOUR WAY. If your not fishing and being pushed off coarse in high winds isnt an issue you may love one.

I would do a simple Bimini top if shade is needed and make it very simple so you can fold it up. In the wind on a 16 foot boat a full sized tall cover is going to act like a sail trolling will not be an option it will blow you all over the place. My next boat came with one its been rolled up in the corner of the garage bathroom since 1997.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

I fish alone and like to cruise. I have movable pedestal seat sockets several places whereby a piece of 2" PVC Sch. 40 fits nicely and is removable. I had used a regular umbrella (4 ½') but want more area so I just ordered one of these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Beach-Umbr...var=420965862036&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Unlike a Bimini Top, no braces and tie downs to get in your way fishing, no "gee what do I do with it when it's down". Pole and umbrella just lie next to my 5' boat paddle (oar derivative) adjacent to the rod locker out of the way. Being a beach umbrella with 8 braces should stand up nicely to cruising speeds. May work for you, just an idea.

That is pretty darn clever. I’d like to know how this works out. I’m planning on putting sockets throughout the floor during this winter’s rebuild .

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Do you fish and will it get in your way a 16 foot boat doesn’t leave a lot of room with any top that is up. I have owned a 16 foot Alaskan with a folding top that was a walk through at the pedistals the boat had a full cross windshield that had a folding center section. The top folded down onto the transom when not in use. Its cold and windy as all get out here in Spring salmon season I thought it would be great so i paid a lot extra for this custom cover tall enough for a 6 foot persons To be under.

I used it twice and it sat rollled up and folded down a full year before I unbolted that crap and got it out of my way You can compensate for wind and weather with clothing but a top thats in your way is IN YOUR WAY. If your not fishing and being pushed off coarse in high winds isnt an issue you may love one.

I would do a simple Bimini top if shade is needed and make it very simple so you can fold it up. In the wind on a 16 foot boat a full sized tall cover is going to act like a sail trolling will not be an option it will blow you all over the place. My next boat came with one its been rolled up in the corner of the garage bathroom since 1997.

Here is some excellent advice. And precisely why I asked. never having owned one, I didn’t know what it was like to use but you made some really strong points. If I think long and hard about it. I will get annoyed and not want to use it. Especially wind. If I wanna nasty weather salmon boat, I’ll go buy a 22 footer...
So I think my choices are getting whittled down to Bimini or maybe an umbrella idea. Truth of the matter is I can buy a rain suit. But I don’t like the sun thanks again guys

 

[PITBoat]

Nothing is available for mine. My wife suggested the beach umbrella thing. I've got some extra PVC pipe so I bought some connectors several weeks ago with a vague idea of fabbing one with a tarp that can be slid forward or backward and tied up for trailering, or if it's too flappy or whatnot underway. Sun is my issue, though we never stay out more than a few hours at a time.