Help finding a Bimini

[PrinceValium]

I just purchased a new boat, 2011 Tahoe Q7i, and am looking for a Bimini for it. The dealer quoted me $1400!! I about choked when I heard that price. I do like the Tracker style Bimini because when put away it does not lay down. Anyone else have a Tahoe and have some pics and brands of Bimini you are using?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[saxrulez]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

$1400 is insane! I'm not sure what style the trackers have, but I got mine from safeguard covers for $120.

Only took me 45 minutes or so to install it. Pretty simple stuff.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

The dealer quoted me $1400!!

I do like the Tracker style Bimini because when put away it does not lay down.

$1400 (I paid 1/2 that for my jon boat, new )

What do you mean by "Tracker style" bimini? Rear struts that hold it up and out of the way when stowed? The struts are an add-on, probably $50 or so. The Iboats store sells bimini's for specific boats, anywhere from $250-500 depending on the quality you want. Adding a bimini is an easy install if you can drill a couple holes and attach a couple screws/nuts.

(BTW, I just picked up a Bimini for my 18' Vhull on fleabay, $120. Another $50 for sliders and stuff from Iboats and I'm set.)

 

[solmate]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

Check right here on Iboats, bought mine for less than $500, great bimini with rear struts. Got it about 3-4 days after I ordered it & installed it in less than 1 hour with help from the Admiral.

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

Thanks guys so the ones here on the site are made well? I didn't know you would have to buy the rear struts. There is no.way I would pay more than 500 for a bimini. I need one soon....I hate having to bake.in the sun all day long.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

^ Yup, I'm pretty darn sure you can get everything you need for under $500 here on Iboats, bimini and rear struts. Depending on mounting location you could need different mounts for it too, IE; side mount instead of deck mount. The bimini's have free shipping right now and the sliders I bought had free shipping too, so that's a bonus.

I have no idea on quality, never had a bimini before the one I just bought. Though, I've never seen anyone post up that the bimini they bought here was a POS. I would spend the extra $$$ and get a good grade of farbic.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

http://biminitops.iboats.com/BiminiTops/?*******=794999385

 

[solmate]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

Absolutely go with the Sunbrella. You can spend a lot less on a bimini $2-300 but the quality isn't the same. I can easily run 35-40 across the water with the top up, the lesser quality ones you can watch them bend & "umbrella". I have a friend that bought a cheapy one & he plans on replacing it this winter after he rode in my boat with the top up.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

Biminis are one of those things that you get what exactly you pay for.

Buy a good quality top with 1" diameter stainless struts and hardware and it will last as long as you own your boat. Buy a cheap top with 3/4" diameter aluminum struts and plastic fittings and you will be replacing them on a regular basis if you use them regularly.

My 1986 Grady White still had the OEM Canvas bimini enclosure on it when it sold it in 2004. The boat was towed who knows how many miles with the bimini up and it still looked like new.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

1400 sounds steep.

I paid only $800 for a custom job. I wanted mine to be in two separate pieces, so I could use only the front half for driver and passenger, or add the back half for backseat coverage. Plus I wanted it to clear my wake tower, and not interfere with speakers and ski-rope. And it had to have Sunbrella material.

This is what I ended up with.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

I recommend that you get estimates from one or more marine canvas shops. That way you get exactly what you want and it is custom fitted to your boat. My bimini & doghouse for my 23' CC was installed in 1994 and is still servicable.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

I just got a Westlake bimini with Sunbrella canvas here on iboats for $338-
73" -78" wide- 6 ft long-42" high---I am very impressed with its quality- easy to order & install--and got here fast!
i had extra Rear Braces & hardware for $66.

 

[DanMC]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

iboats.com or check out Carver Industries (their stuff is made in USA).

 

[PrinceValium]

Re: Help finding a Bimini

Ok so I was mistaken...the price for the OEM Bimini is $1500 before tax! (the frame alone was $1140) strangely enough the OEM top does not show how it stays unfolded..meaning how does it stay open with no straps to hold it down??

I measured the width of my boat and came out with about 84" across. Where do you normally mount the Bimini? What I mean is how far back from the front glass do you mount the hardware? I did measure the height and I think the 42" would be ok for height.

I did look for a custom Bimini shop locally but didn't have much luck finding one here in northern California.


Thanks all