Bimini Tops

[DC20]

Which one to get: was looking in the iboats marine store, they have Taylor made Hot Shot at about 208, Taylormade Ultima for about 345 with Boot, or Endura top with Sunbrella fabric for about 334 with no boot. This will be used in the hot Florida sun.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bimini Tops

imho, the price of bimini's has gotten rediculous. i've lived in Fl all my live, a white bimini, is best they all do the same thing. it is the maintainance they get, of course if you want to coordinate colors you have to go to the higher priced ones. a boot is absolutedly necessary, for towing. also the slide mounting bracket is very helpful. it also the mount to be move forward and back, and changes the angle of the top.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Bimini Tops

What size do you need? I got mine at Mahoneys in Tampa. It came a little too tall for the boat (a 17 foot bowrider) but I will be trimming the tubes down. I could have bought the "correct" height top, but it would have been a little more money. It was also cheaper than buying it online.​

For the life of me (it's early and I am not fully awake) I don't know the manufacturer, but it is a sunbrella material.​

 

[hal2814]

Re: Bimini Tops

I had a Taylor Made bimini top I bought at West Marine. I kept it for all of a week. I was very disappointed in the construction quality. The frame was fine but their Sunbrella-equivalent top just wasn't stitched very well. For example, where holes are in the top's underside for the fore-to-aft straps, there are just triangular notches cut. No stitching or anything around those notches. And for them touting it as equivalent to Sunbrella, the material was pretty thin. I didn't trust it so I got one elsewhere. It was cheaper, the top was of better quality (proper Sunbrella), and the retailer threw in a boot. The frame was similar in both. Off the cuff, I think the brand of the top I ended up with is Overland but I could be very mistaken.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Bimini Tops

I purchased a Sunbrella top & boot about three years ago. Got a color to match the boat. Looks great and I haven't had a bit of trouble with the farbic. Turns out it was a great addition to the boat.

 

[jay.robinson15]

Re: Bimini Tops

I purchased a Sunbrella top & boot about three years ago. Got a color to match the boat. Looks great and I haven't had a bit of trouble with the farbic. Turns out it was a great addition to the boat.

I bought a Sunbrella top last summer and I am thrilled with it. It looks great and like yours, it is an overall great addition to my boat.

 

[DC20]

Re: Bimini Tops

Well it seams like everyone is saying spend the extra money and get the real Sunbrella with a boot.
How do I know what size slide mounting bracket to get? There is nothing on the boat right now but I would like for it to rest over the tops of the live wells at the transom. Is there a way to figure this before hand or install the top and then see what will work?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bimini Tops

i have a 6 ft top wish i had an 8 foot. that is why i suggested the slide mount for the brackets, so it is adjustable. you mount these on top of your gunnel, then the bracket for the top attaches to it. making the top movable.

http://www.iboats.com/Slide_Assembl...07266669--**********.471129428--view_id.40252

this fits in the slide bracket for the top.

http://www.iboats.com/Deck_Hinge_Sl...ardware--**********.471129428--view_id.168037

 

[bekosh]

Re: Bimini Tops

Check around your area and get some quotes at your local canvas shops. You might be suprised how afordable a custom made top is.
I got this bimini, boot and full enclosure with screens custom made for around right around $1000 installed in 3 days. I could of gotten the bimini for about $400 custom fitted, any length, any height.