Bimini top fabric

cbanks

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2010
Messages
10
I am looking for fabric for a Bimini top frame for a pontoon. The frame is a 4 bow, 8' wide by 12' long. Suggestions on where and what type fabric to use. This is an old frame I acquired from someone who had parted out their toon.

Thanks in advance.
 

EGlideRider

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 14, 2008
Messages
1,000
Re: Bimini top fabric

Sunbrella is a good fabric that is not too expensive.
 

sbooy42

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 24, 2009
Messages
154
Re: Bimini top fabric

very happy with the sunbrella fabric on our new bimini
 

cbanks

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2010
Messages
10
Re: Bimini top fabric

Everywhere I have found have the replacement fabric only up to 10'. Do I need to find a custom shop for the 12'? I am not sure how to attach the raw fabric to the frame. Have any suggestions or a pattern?
 

fubar007

Cadet
Joined
Sep 5, 2011
Messages
8
Re: Bimini top fabric

I have a uhpolostry seeing machine. Started to purchase new cloth for the Bimini. Ended up purchasing a
New top for what premium canvas would had cost me at the fabric store.
 

RandyJ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Messages
808
Re: Bimini top fabric

I agree with fubar... unless you can get a great deal on the material you'll come out as good or better getting one ready to go. There are several distributors. I've installed a few and about all that you have to know is the width and number of ribs in the frame, 3 or 4. I used to work in an upholstery shop and have made tops for bimini's, snap on tops for boats, and dune buggy tops. I couldn't compete with the price they sell bimini tops for and certainly not the quality of factory produced tops.
 

pom mom

Cadet
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
10
Re: Bimini top fabric

I bought something similar to Sunbrella at Walmart and made my top using a pattern from the old cover. I'm working on side and front and back to make it enclosed for camping. By the time I bought the heavy duty zippers and the fabric, I suppose I saved half the cost of of buying ready made. I used a commercial sewing machine and the fabric was fairly easy to sew. I tried to put a picture in here, not sure if it worked.
View attachment 112636
 
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