Bimini Top too high

[sr54x4]

I have a new to me this season 1988 Formula 242 SS. It did not have a bimini top on it, but had the 4 brackets and the two spots for the straps on the windshield. I took some measurements and ordered a top. Problem is its a little higher than I anticipated and even worse, it angles up from stern to bow (similar to the red line I drew on the photo). I tried adjusting the support poles but they are just not long enough. I think the problem is the side windshield slopes down and the gunwales where the brackets are for the support poles continue to slope down and this makes the top angle up at the front. My first thought was to get longer support poles and maybe that would raise the back and in turn lower the front some, but I think it will be too high still. So my next thought is to cut the main support pole down (the circled area in the photo). By leaving the same length support poles, but having a shorter frame, would this effectively help to lower and level out the top? I know I could remount the brackets, but I really do not want to drill more holes in the boat.

 

[GA_Boater]

Got a pic of the bimini mounted? There will be plenty of suggestions seeing what you have to work with.

 

[sr54x4]

Got a pic of the bimini mounted? There will be plenty of suggestions seeing what you have to work with.

Unfortunatley, no I don't. Should have done that last night. Next time I will be at the boat will be Saturday. If I have to I can bring the top back with me to the marina (its at home now)

 

[Grandad]

It looks to me that there's only 2 support points (on each side), so there is a choice of either shortening the main bow or getting longer rear storage/stiffener tubes than those pictured. Which you choose depends upon how much height you want to maintain. Personally, I don't like a low bimini. Longer rear poles should be available at about $2 a foot depending upon aluminum or stainless. - Grandad

 

[sr54x4]

That's correct, 2 rear support poles. The front is secured by adjustable straps. I really like the height the top is at when folded back and the rear portion of it when its unfolded. The problem is the front section is way too high and points up at an angle. So I'm leaning towards cutting down the main bow. Just trying to confirm that by doing so, and leaving the support poles at their current length and position it will lower it a little and help correct the angle by now having the long support poles in the back tip the now shorter main bow forward. Am correct in thinking this?

 

[Grandad]

That's correct, 2 rear support poles. The front is secured by adjustable straps. I really like the height the top is at when folded back and the rear portion of it when its unfolded. The problem is the front section is way too high and points up at an angle. So I'm leaning towards cutting down the main bow. Just trying to confirm that by doing so, and leaving the support poles at their current length and position it will lower it a little and help correct the angle by now having the long support poles in the back tip the now shorter main bow forward. Am correct in thinking this?

I'd say you're correct. It will move slightly forward as well, but I think that all too often biminis are back too far to shade the driver's eyes adequately anyway. - Grandad

 

[roffey]

I have was told there is a speed restriction for Bimini tops, in my case 45 MPH (or so I was told), I suspect yours goes faster than that. My top angles down, you say your angles up. I would think this would catch the wind and rip? Maybe the top has been incorrectly manufactured and if so a call to the fabricator/manufacturer would be in order? I bet there is a fix for it and keep it still under warrantee.

 

[NHGuy]

I went through a similar thing when I installed mine.
I thought it was too high til I found I like being able to stand up in there.
But I had the advantage of installing mine from new, so I placed the rear anchor points to a spot that leveled the top to my boats running attitude.

 

[72fj40]

B4 cutting anything, try moving the front bow and support pole clamps on the main support poll. It looks like from your pic, if you move the rear support pole clamps on the main bow down, the top may rotate down in the front.

 

[JASinIL2006]

^^^^ This is what I'd try first.

 

[airshot]

Had the same issue a few years back, cut down the pole you have circled in the bottom of your pic to drop the entire top lower. You will have to adjust your rear poles (rigid ones) to get the top level, or some prefer the top to slant slightly forward as I do. I went one step further and added a sliding rail to the deck so the top can slide forward or backward about 30 inches in my case. The slide rails can be ordered or cut to length. By having the top tilted slightly forward it is less prone to grab the wind while underway at high speed. Mine is made of "sharkskin" material and stands up to 35 mph speed without any issues....but beyond that ???? It has also held up quite well, it is almost 4 years old and still looks like new, but it is stored in a boot and only used when the sun is hot and bright. Mine is also a 4 pole 8 ft top like in your pic.

 

[airshot]

Woops my mistake, your is a three pole, mine is a 4 pole but that wont make any difference, still only one attachment point.

 

[tonyjh63]

OP, in your pic, just above the red circle, can you not loosen then slide that bracket up a few inches, then shorten the front strap? Seems to me that would tilt the front downward a bit...might be worth a try.

 

[sr54x4]

thanks for all the replies. The suggestion of adjust the front bow by sliding the clamp closest to the red circle up is a great one, but I have tried that already. It did help a bit, and so did lowering down the clamp for the support poles, but still not where it needs to be. The other issue is when I moved the front bow more than a few inches, the top cross bows don't line up when I close the top up and put the cover on it.

Its looking like cutting down the circled red parts is a good start. I really just want to drop it down a few inches and also lower the front down maybe a foot. That's how much the angle is off.

 

[sr54x4]

This weekend I ended up cutting down the main bow a few inches, and this lowered the overall height and pushed the front down a bit. I also ended up cutting down the main bow and middle bow to bring them down some more. Everything sits perfect now.