Carver Bimini boat top questions

[Rumley]

Hey everyone.
Wondering if anyone has any experience with the carver 3 bow complete Bimini top. I need a top of some sort and as much as I want a custom full camper top it is too expensive at this time. What I'm looking at is the carver brand and my questions are as follows:
1) will it be able to withstand full speed aprox 38mph
2) with is the better material. They sell the sunbrella in different colors or a white vinyl
3) are they easy to install
4) are they good quality as in is it going to last 10, 5, 3, 1 years?
5) for the width should I be measuring from the inside of the gunwales or the outside?

If anyone has any information that would be great or if there is another brand I should take a look at that would also be great. I know a custom camper top is much better but I have been quoted 1200 and 1400 for that and it is out of my price range.
The boat is a 1975 caravelle 19 foot with a small cuddy up front. The replaced everything on the inside including floor and stringers along with all electronics etc. I want it to look good and be able to withstand the elements if I get stuck out in the rain but primarily as sun shade.

One other option I looked at was the taylormade "anchor shade" which I realize must come down while under power but is half the price.

Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Carver Bimini boat top questions

I am not familiar with the Carver bimini as such, but there is some information that is true of most all bimini's.

1) If properly constructed of quality materials, there should be no problem
with it being able to withstand the stress of 38mph.

2) The better material is subjective to who you get an answer from, I prefer Sunbrella. It has held up well on my boat against wind, rain, and tree limbs.

3) If you are mechanically inclined, have basic tools, and are careful, you should have no problems.

4) I have had biminis that were still functional after 10 or more years. I have seen tops that were trashed after 2 years. Take care of them, keep them clean, dry and protected when not in use and they will repay you by lasting. And don't let them bind the edges with vinyl, it will age crack, use whatever material the top is made from.

5) Most tops that I have seen and owned are actually attached to the top of the gunwale. A lot depends on your particular boat.

My recommendation to you would be to take your boat to a qualified canvas shop, let them look over and measure your boat and ask them for ideas.

If you do this you can have them install zippers for later use to attach your camper canvas. Also make sure they use synthetic thread. Most tops lose their thread before they lose their canvas.

Then you can either have them install it, or you can do it yourself.

I don't know where you are located but a custom bimini, around here in central Florida, is not significantly more than a "generic" and will fit better and last longer.

Also, you can get some ideas of what to look for by googling "bimini tops" and look at the different web site pictures.

 

[Rumley]

Re: Carver Bimini boat top questions

Thanks for the info bob. I'm located in northern Ontario Canada and there are only 2 marine top places within 150km so around 100 miles of me. I work at a boating dealership so my price on a Bimini is around 250-275 where as I said earlier a full camper top is 1200. I actually didn't ask how much just a Bimini would be from them, only the full camper.
Once again thanks for the reply, I appreciate all input.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Carver Bimini boat top questions

I am not familiar with the Carver bimini as such, but there is some information that is true of most all bimini's.

1) If properly constructed of quality materials, there should be no problem
with it being able to withstand the stress of 38mph.

2) The better material is subjective to who you get an answer from, I prefer Sunbrella. It has held up well on my boat against wind, rain, and tree limbs.

3) If you are mechanically inclined, have basic tools, and are careful, you should have no problems.

4) I have had biminis that were still functional after 10 or more years. I have seen tops that were trashed after 2 years. Take care of them, keep them clean, dry and protected when not in use and they will repay you by lasting. And don't let them bind the edges with vinyl, it will age crack, use whatever material the top is made from.

5) Most tops that I have seen and owned are actually attached to the top of the gunwale. A lot depends on your particular boat.

I agree with all of this. Except I have only had my bimini for a year so I can't comment on #4. With #5, there are a lot of bow riders in my area and it is common to see them mounted to the side of the hull on this style craft.....center of the gunwale for most others.

I would recommend at least stainless steel fittings for your bimini. Just my .02

 

[SPOONMAN1]

Re: Carver Bimini boat top questions

I put a Carver on my 20' br, last year. I got sunbrella, w/ ss hardware kit cost me alot more than $275. Anyway It starts to wind whip @ about 40 mph, I keep it in its boot most of the time, but it has probably seen 100 hrs of sun and stills looks new. I love it. The sun will cook you in July here in Oklahoma.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Carver Bimini boat top questions

We use a Carver Sunbrella? bimini with boot, aluminum struts a stainless fittings. We also use rigid supports aft, which are indispensable either for trailing or keeping the booted top raised and out of the way. Their customer service is 2nd to none.

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[Rumley]

Re: Carver Bimini boat top questions

The only reason it would be that cheap is due to a perk at work of getting parts and accessories at cost. They retail around 400 for the 73-78" beam which is what my beam is I think (need to remeasure to make sure). Once again thanks everyone for their input.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: Carver Bimini boat top questions

When we lived in Mich. we had 2 different Carver 32 aft cabins with the Sunbrella Biminies and never had a problem with them. I prefer Sunbrella.