Bimini Tops. Help me out here

[rtpassini]

Just picked up a new boat. decided to spend more on one because im sick of buying crap (my last two didnt turn out so hot, lucky to even get rid of them)

its a 1981 Sylvan 16' sportster runabout.

Width is about 59-60". Length, Im thinking about 5'. I measured a few inches in front of the windshield and measured to the back of the "mounting point" (seen in pics). Not sure If thats what I should do.

Height Im thinking about 50" from mounting point.

Does this all seem right? I dont know how or where to mount the front section. Or if I can use the mounting points for the back.

Basically, just tell me what I need to know. haha.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28917583/2013-03-13 09.31.36.jpg
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/28917583/2013-03-13 09.30.46.jpg

 

[rtpassini]

Re: Bimini Tops. Help me out here

I would also like to add that my height measurement was taken while standing up. I think that may be too high. But I dont want to be crawling around to move under the bimini...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bimini Tops. Help me out here

Your boat apparently had a bimini or convertible top on it at one time in the past. That's what that track was for in your second picture. The purpose of the track is to allow you to have the top in a certain position over the passengers when it's up but be able to push it to the back and out of the way when it's stowed. If you intend to use the track, you'll need to find a bimini the exact mounting width of the distance between the port and starboard tracks. Now, I have a very similar boat to yours. We are blessed with those nice wide gunwales. I was able to mount my bimini in place without a track in such a way that I'm happy with both the deployed and stowed positions. I have some pictures of my setup if they're at all helpful.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_0463.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_1134-2.jpg
http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_1174.jpg

I think you can see my pointing points in the pics. I got mine from Safegaurd covers and am pleased with it for the price.

 

[rtpassini]

Re: Bimini Tops. Help me out here

thanks for the pics!!!! do you happen to know what dimensions yours was?

 

[airshot]

Re: Bimini Tops. Help me out here

Been there-done that....One thing I have found so please give this carefull consideration is do not go any higher than absolutely necessary.
The reason I say this is that the sun will come in under the tall bimini top. One more than one ocassion I started tall and ended up cutting down the tubes to make them as short as possible to reduce the amount of sun comming in under the top. If your top is high enough to stand erect under, you will benefit from very little shade unless the sun is directly overhead. As for the rail, you will be thankfull for it, much easier to adjust the position of your top, fixed mounts can be a pain if they are not in the correct position. Many end up drilling more holes to move them around but the rails allow easy adjustment. Most tops are measured by height and overall length of the top when opened up. Hope this helps.

Airshot

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Bimini Tops. Help me out here

How to Measure for a Bimini.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bimini Tops. Help me out here

thanks for the pics!!!! do you happen to know what dimensions yours was?

Nope. Wish I did, and the boat is in storage for another week or two