Bimini Question

[MH9371B]

My boat is a 1995 Sea Ray 195 BR. I bought and installed my last bimini from iboats, and was very happy with the quality of the product. However. after about 5-6 boat trips, the rocking of the boat would cause the mounts to be literally torn out of the fiberglass. This would happen when the bimini was in its "storage" position at about a 45 degree angle with the boot around the canvas. Is there a product that I can buy to mount the bimini to instead of screwing the stainless steel mounts directly into the fiberglass? Someone told me about something called a slider rail, but I can't find a picture of one anywhere. If anyone has any advice, pictures would be very helpful. Thanks!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bimini Question

These are what your talking about but will still mount to the fiberglass..Is it possible to thru bolt them?

http://www.iboats.com/mall/?session..._id=216568&list_time=1168897827&view_id=40252

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Bimini Question

Get your hands on a Boat US catalog.I remember seeing them in there.The slider rail screws to the boat and the end of the bimini screws to the slider ends.This would allow you to slide the rail forward and fold down the top.Charlie

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Bimini Question

Cool! My boat came with the sliders already mounted, but I had know idea what they were for. I just about removed the the hardware. As usual, I am always learning from these forums.

 

[arthat]

Re: Bimini Question

Here is the link to Boat US bimini slide rails.

http://www.boatus-store.com/webapp/...002&langId=-1&catalogId=20002&productId=73299

Hope this helps

Successful boating

Art

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bimini Question

Same thing that Iboats sells just more expensive at boatus....

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Bimini Question

Post a picture of how your bimini is currently mounted. You should be able to use a non slide mount and not have it pull at the fiberglass. it is done all the time on biminis that are larger than the one you have.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bimini Question

"However. after about 5-6 boat trips, the rocking of the boat would cause the mounts to be literally torn out of the fiberglass."

Who did the original Mounting,....... 'cause That's Where the Screw-up occurred.....

Going to Thru-Bolts,+ Backing Plates would be a Much Better Plan............

 

[MH9371B]

Re: Bimini Question

I did the original mounting.

My fear of using thru-bolts was that the rocking would cause the bolts to slowly create a bigger and bigger hole in the fiberglass. Would the use of a backing plate prevent that?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Bimini Question

I have the sliders on mine and think they are great. They are screwed to the glass. When I put the top down I slide it back out of the way.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bimini Question

Thru bolts and large flat washers should hold it fine.When you installed it the first time maybe you drilled the holes to big and the screws did not bite very well.
The sliders are nice,going to order some for mine so my top can go back far enough out of the way when folded down..

 

[Docknocker]

Re: Bimini Question

The 20' I owned had the bimini sliders. I had the canvas guy tighten (make the diameter smaller) the bimini boot and make snap straps. When not in use, I'd boot the bimini, slide everything fwd and snap it to the top of the windshield - totally out of the way, looked great, and ready to quickly pop open for a sudden squall. If I could figure out how to post a photo of it, I would.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Bimini Question

Would the use of a backing plate prevent that?

Ayuh,..........

If it's Tight,...... It Won't move,....... There for the Holes Can't get Bigger.......

 

[gotbait]

Re: Bimini Question

Bolt all the way through, use large washers or plate, use stainless bolts and self-locking nuts and it will never move again. Torque it, torque it good!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Bimini Question

I have just ordered a bimini from here and asked and received slides also.

If you can't get up under the gunwale and mound plates or big washers, you might contact Sea Ray and ask them the best way to mount it to their hull.

I had a Ranger BB and mine was mounted with screws and never had a problem, but that was a Ranger and they had adequate material in the gunwale to accept and hold the screw.....course drilling the correct hole size through the surface glass was paramount.

Mark

 

[QC]

Re: Bimini Question

I have mounted two biminis and never used through bolts for the straps or the mounts. I haven't used the slide either, I just add a second set of mounts aft for trailering. I run 45+ MPH, into 30 MPH head winds, bimini up, often. The ONLY trouble I have ever had is straps breaking. I guess I would through bolt if: a) the hole was already too big and b) if I could easily reach it. I would've had to pull fuel tanks on both of these boats though . . .

Oh, and I don't pre-drill. I use a drill motor and spin the screw real fast with no pressure for a couple of seconds to get some heat into the gelcoat, and then ram it home with as much downward pressure as possible in one quick push. This supposedly keeps the gelcoat from cracking although I still crack it sometimes := I am using the short screws too, 3/4 inch or so.

The second one has these cool quick realease mounts:

Hard to tell in the pic, but the little plates on the bottom are all that is mounted to the gunnel. The top pieces stay attached to the bimini supports.