Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

[racinrc14]

Hello all. I need some advice.

We own an '83 Cobalt 18DV and are looking to buy a bimini top. There is 10' of open space from the top of the windshield to the backrest of the rear jumpseat. I'd like as much of the back of the boat shaded as I can get, but I don't know how much trouble an 8' bimini would be to put up and take down. I am looking for advice, pros and cons, to owning an 8' bimini as opposed to a 6 footer. Thanks!

-Tommy

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

build one out of some card board and wood slats or something. then you can get an idea of what is will look like and how big you want.

 

[racinrc14]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

That's a good idea. We'll try that.

I was hoping to hear from someone who has had both, and to compare the two to see how much more work/hassle it is to stow the 8 footer.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

i have the 6 footer in my pics, just for reference. i like it. i could still fit a 8' though.

 

[racinrc14]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

That looks good. I want the back of my boat shaded as well as the cabin area. Is your 6 footer easy to stow? We have a bridge that we have to go under frequently with low headroom, which would require frequent stowing of the top.

 

[redone4x4]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

That looks good. I want the back of my boat shaded as well as the cabin area. Is your 6 footer easy to stow? We have a bridge that we have to go under frequently with low headroom, which would require frequent stowing of the top.

Well, the top doesnt stow so well. it takes up almost the whole floor because we have to lay it down sideways. we pretty much put it up and leave it up, every time we go out. Its always waay hot out here so we dont really have a need to take it down. Basically, the top is wider than our boat is so picture trying to store that.

 

[rs1lollie]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

I don't think you have to worry about the length of the Bimini top as much as the height, it should fold up just like mine, real easy (a little more time to put the boot on). The top that I just installed is a 6' long x 41" high giving me a total height of 70" from floor to top of Bimini. Folded up it is 40" high from the top of the Bimini to the top edge of the boat. (mocked Bimini braces, on order from iboats). You can cut Braces to whatever length you want,(keep in mind that the braces are used instead of the straps).So I would get the 8' length and decide what height you want instead. Worse case is that you have to disconnect it from the braces (2 locking pins) to go under the bridge. Here is a pic of mine folded up.

 

[cribber]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

Buy the 8 foot four bow model with support bars and center it where you want shade. Mine covers the sun pad to just past the windshield on our GT-185 which is 18.5 feet LOA.

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

I have a 6' on my 16 and it covers the entire rear of the boat.
I love it!
The height is important, I can stand straight up in my boat with bimini up.

 

[Overkill82k5]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

If you are looking for max shade area, definitely go with the 8'. My bimini covers from the transom to just in front of the windshield and I love it having that much coverage. My other boat has a much smaller bimini that doesnt cover as well and we always find ourselves crowding into the shade area when we are anchored up. I am in Fl so shade is pretty high up on the priority list. It's also nice when we get a rain while on the water, the big top keeps most of the boat dry, as long as it isnt raining sideways. Storage of both tops are the same, the extra 2' on the big one doesnt make any difference . The bimini braces are definitely the way to go too, keeps the top out of the way when not in use. Personally, I like how tidy it looks when booted and not in use.

Overkill...

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

I would get the 8' top, we have one on our 19' boat and love it. It covers from the windshield to the backrest of the bench seat. Its in the boot on the back braces for trailering or until we want shade.

Takes about 30 seconds to deploy and a few minutes to get back in the boot. Can be dropped forward or back if needed with no tools (spring pins), we have to do this to get the boat in the garage for example. With this much shade everyone who's not on the bow is covered. I set mine lower than most because I like the look and the shade is more effective.

 

[racinrc14]

Re: Bimini for bowrider, 6' or 8'?

Thanks to everyone who replied. We are going with the 8 footer.

Overkill and Rs1, that was exactly the information I was looking for. I love this place!

-Tommy