Bimini

79camaro

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 4, 2011
Messages
83
I just purchased a 2003 Bayliner 175 and I am looking for a bimini top. Any suggestion? I've never owned one before and there are a lot of options out there. Thanks.
 

Augoose

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Mar 21, 2010
Messages
1,222
Re: Bimini

You can purchase them new here on iboats, you can surf ebay or craiglist, or you can find a local marine upholstry shop who will likely have them as well. Measure the width or beam of your boat and then determine what length you want- do you want a short top which only covers the pilot and passenger, or a longer one which will provide shade (yes yes) to the rear passengers. Then, inspect the gunwale surface in order to determine exactly where you can mount the top so it can either fold down completely and lay flat or be supported at a 45 degree angle by bimini top braces. I made adjustable braces and then used quick release pins so I can either leave it at a 45 degree angle or drop it completely flat in order to put the boat cover on for storage. I'd go with extra long hardware that way you can always carry a hacksaw out on the water with you and lower the height as needed after you use it a few times. Initially I started with mine very high because I'm 6'4" so that I could walk around without bending over, however after a few trips out I realized that because the top was so high, too much sun came in from the sides and not enough shade was provided. After lowering it about 6", its perfect.
 

26aftcab454

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
1,510
Re: Bimini

I got a WestLand bimini here on i-boats---very nice126abc.jpg
easy to order-install-easy to open.--support our sponsers!
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,780
Re: Bimini

I bought mine here onsite. It was mfgr'd in Mexico. When I got it, one of one of the bow pipes (3 per bow) was smashed and it was obvious it occurred at the factory and was not a shipping problem. Contacted iboats and within a couple of days, not only did I get the smashed section, but the whole bow.....faster service that what it took to receive the top in the first place. Very fine service and price...paid like $200 for a regular grade 6' Bimini with mounting hardware.

Mark
 

oregoncruiser

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Messages
180
Re: Bimini

I had a custom made bimini for an 18' open bow. It was really nice, but it cost like $450. The Top referred to by Texasmark sounds like a much better value, with decent service as well.
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,780
Re: Bimini

Where do you look for a custom Bimini?

I had a custom top made years ago before I joined the forum. Went to a canvas shop (yellow pages) and dropped the boat off....told them what I wanted. Real nice. Buttttttt I made a big mistake in my specifications. I specified SS tubing rather than alum thinking that alum wouldn't hold up. Well with my current top made of alum, it holds up just fine and the problem with the SS bows was that they were sooooo heavy. Was a real pain to put it up and take it down.

HTH,

Mark
 

oregoncruiser

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Messages
180
Re: Bimini

Call around to your local auto upholstery shops and ask them if they do boat stuff, if not can they recomend a place that does. Or when your on the water and you see someone with a top you like, ask them where they got it. Word of mouth will work wonders!!
 
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