bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

[fathairypirate]

Looking to do something fun/neat.

Has anyone ever rigged an intex inflatable boat for a bimini top / canopy? I've seen it done with Sevylor inflatables and wonder if a sevylor would fit on an intex or if anyone has any other ideas for it.

see product here

This one looks like it would work because it apparently (from image) only ties into the grab handle rings and only has one piece that connects to an oarlock. Maybe it could work on the seahawk II pictured below...

Thoughts?

*EDIT* someone has a different one on their Sevylor Fish Hunter 360

 

[tarius]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

i also have a intex excursion 5 and im trying to find out the same thing rather it be custom made or purchased...Any suggestions?

 

[fathairypirate]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

By the end of the week, I will have purchased the Excursion 5 and will very likely scratch build a canopy for it. Since the Excursion 5 has two oarlock locations, it will most likely be a split mount design using the oarlocks as anchor points.

I see this getting a LOT of area shaded on this huge inflatable.

Shouldn't be hard or expensive, just time consuming. I'm the kind of person that would have fun building it, so that's what I'm going to do. Don't know when I'll be able to set aside the time.

The only major drawback of this design would be no longer using the oarlocks for people who don't have a motor. Guess you can always canoe paddle though.

 

[likalar]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

I fished from a friend's small boat fitted with a nice bimini. I guess it would be nice to have sometimes, but for fishing it made little sense: Very early or later in the day, when the fish are biting, the sun is at a fairly low angle, so the top gave no protection from the sun. Also, all those straps were in the way, and a pain to fish around. I'd much rather spend a few bucks on a big straw hat and some sunscreen.

For shade for the kids on a nice mid-day cruise, it would be a handy addition.

Larry

 

[fathairypirate]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

Enter crappy photoshop mockup skills: the poor man's split mount

This idea has the pink squares (in the picture) represent a 'neckdown piece' on the main beams which are where a small diameter pipe fits and adjusts length inside a larger diameter pipe (which is attached to the oarlocks). This way you can adjust the canopy to the length you want: short for sitting and cruising or tall for fishing and standing. I would use a bolt and wingnut to quickly fasten/extend the pipes. Pipes can be metal or pvc, obviously.

The blue represents the canopy material rolled up (above bow end) and the straight blue line (above stern end) represents some kind of canvas fastener along the crossbar like a large velcro strap to keep it secure while stretched out and allowing a quick takedown, too.

Green represents possible bungie/rope tie-down locations to secure it in place.

Black lines across top represent canvas when unrolled and velcro'd in place.

Just throwing some ideas around.

 

[fathairypirate]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

... all that just because i don't think these would be long enough for my taste (covering not only engine, but far enough for my wife and kid in this 102 degree heat... or tall enough - I'm 6ft.

These are getting close, though. Still think i should make one.

Sun Canopy Bimini for Small Boat & Inflatable W48"-57"

*edit* I don't think this one would quite reach the two oarlocks on the excursion 5, either.
3 BOW SUN CANOPY BIMINI TOP SHADE FOR INFLATABLE BOAT

 

[fathairypirate]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

Well, I bought the excursion 5, so I'll update measurements when I get it.

 

[fathairypirate]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

Opened package and everything seems really nice. I couldn't inflate it all the way inside my apartment, but i got pretty close (maybe 60% on outer tube before it wouldn't fit. This thing is massive! I am 6' and can sit with feet stretched out on one end, my wife stretched on the other and we have to stretch to touch our toes together. I can also lay down flat and have plenty of room on both ends of me. I'm thinking that the split top mount is the way to go on this one. Didn't get measurements for it since it wasn't blown up all the way.

On another note, I had the desire for a floorboard and will wait to see how it reacts in the water because the floor was pretty firm while sitting on it. I know I couldn't stand up without one, for sure. I have a friend that is offering some nida-core panels w/ fiberglass tops and marine carpet for a pretty decent price. After sitting in the boat and thinking awhile though, I wonder if I should just do plywood instead because though it's a nice construction, I don't see it lasting more than 5 years. I would hope so, but time will tell.

Overall, I'm extremely happy at this point.

 

[mpj76]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

Another Option is PVC. Less rigging on the sides for easier exit/entry

 

[fathairypirate]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

good thought but you can't stow that while on the water

 

[fathairypirate]

Re: bimini/canopy for intex inflatable?

After taking the boat out for the first time today, I'm hesitant to go forward with this project. The boat is just too soft for me to trust it holding a canopy in place without it sagging one way or the other.