Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

[halfmoa]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

If you're insisting on a DIY job I'd look into EMT tubing. Benders are available for purchase/rent which would give you a nice seamless/coupler-less look like a factory job plus EMT is galvanized. End hardware as well as sliders are available on this site. I'm positive it can be done and look just as good as factory for less money. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

I don't recall being negative..... I searched fleabay for 15 seconds and found a nice bimini for $99 with free shipping ... I'm certain that even better deals can be found.... I bought one for IIRC $23 a couple years ago.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

Bond-o, that looks RIGHTEOUS! I may have to think about a semi rigid solution. I really don't like my windshield either (not tall enough)

Ayuh,... Thanks....

This was phase II of the project,....

With my Mr. Buddy heater, it stays nice, 'n toasty in late season...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

heck here's a brand new bimini $99 and free shipping

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

heck here's a brand new bimini $99 and free shipping

That looks identical to my SafeGuard one. Probably same manufacturer.

 

[Scott Chinsota]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

i'm not there yet but i've been saving aluminum tubing for a future attempt. wifey had a $10 yard sale lawn chair. the cushions rotted but i dismantled the frame and kept it. its an old aluminum chaise lounge. has lots of bends in it similar to a folding bimini top. if you can find the right pieces you can make anything out of anything. best of luck.

 

[vrodrig]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

I had a 14 foot bass boat with somewhat of a center console and I fastend a 2' pvc pipe to side of it, kind of like a rod holder. When I was anchored down I would use a 6' diameter umbrella for shade. I could only use this when it was not very windy and could putt around the bay at slow speeds. Maybe it might work for you! I allredy had the umbrella and the pvc was inexpensive. Used this set up at the bay in South Texas, Laguna Madre.

 

[Quick3201]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

I actually make a LOT of my dive equipment since I can't find anyone who makes what I need. Sometimes, I modify what others have made to suit my purposes. No one has ever suggested that anything I have done looks homemade! Quite often they want to know where they can buy one. 4 years as an apprentice machinist in UF's department of Chemistry, 2 years supervising a student machine/weld shop for UF's college of Architecture and thirty years of being in the automotive industry, I simply don't make things that look bad. Well, at least I don't show them off! What I do need is INSPIRATION and not a bunch of nay sayers telling me I can't do it. Bond-o, that looks RIGHTEOUS! I may have to think about a semi rigid solution. I really don't like my windshield either (not tall enough) and I am thinking of building an aluminum dive platform as well. I have not bought a welder as I already own too many tools, but YOU have given me some inspiration. I might buy one of the cheap Biminis suggested by ezmobee in the interim, but I am thinking that I really want that welder now! Thanks to both Bond-o and ezmobee for injecting some sanity and fun rather than negativity in this thread.

There is no such thing as "Too many tools", it ain't possible.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

the beach umbrella is a good option--but it's a t-top, not a bimini!

 

[Redneckhick]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

Years ago I had a old Cajin bass boat that was gold and cream colored, it also had a center fishing seat mount. I ended up with a beach umbrella that was the same colors as the boat. I would place the umbrella in the center of the boat. The wife's was happy in the shade and me and my buddy had no problems bass fishing off both decks. Had many people ask me if the boat came that way. Most people thought it was cool. Had several people say they was going to check into getting one for there boats. Sometimes Redneck stuff works and looks good at the same time.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

I'm with the guys that suggest getting an inexpensive (not cheap) bimini on flEabay, opposed to building one. I'm not saying you couldn't build it, but it will most likely be cheaper and easier to find a deal on one.

I searched for a month or two and finally picked up a Westland Sunbrella bimini for $100, normal price is $350. It took a bit of time to find it, but it was sure easier and cheaper than making one.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

There is no such thing as "Too many tools", it ain't possible.

It is, it is. When I worked in automotive, having the $65,000 worth of tools was great! They are becoming a pain in the butt to move around all the time.

 

[Hogger]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

It's not that hard. Especially if you don't have a tower. I made mine, the geometry was a pain dealing with the tower, but it worked great(sold the boat).
I totally agree that the prices are ridiculous. I'll be making mine from now on.

 

[menglor]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

Pricing out Biminis has shocked me. They are little more than a tarp, but the prices are exorbitant. Anyone have any stories about making the cover and/or frames? I am thinking about using PVC for the poles and have no idea what to use for the cover.

I bought a cover and a bimini top off Ebay in the summer, I had the cover and top for no more then 2 months.

I wrecked the boat and sold it the bimini top, but where I am going with this, is the cover got well used, after a month, The threads started to fall appart, the cover ripped in a few places putting it on and taking it off.

the cover and top came from the same vender, I cant help but think it would have ended up the same way.

I think 600 is crazy for some of these tops, but you do get what you pay for.

now, my plans for the next boat, I plan on buying another Top from the same people

Search ebay for " 3 BOW BIMINI BOAT COVER TOP 73"-78" W/BOOT BLACK COVERS" the price includes the hardware and everything needed.

I fully expect the thing to fall apart before the end of the year, but your left with a nice set of aluminum bars, and mounts that work well.

from there, I will buy some decent canvas and do it myself.

 

[IslandManMitch]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

This is my aluminum hardtop bimini.

 

[HCMQA]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

I bought mine off ebay and it has been great.

I can't remember the site but look for the one with the true 1" diameter poles.

So far the only real difference I have seen between mine and the big dollar ones is the fabric. The poles and hardware are pretty standard across the board.

I originally thought I would make my own so I looked for hardware first and it is all the same.

My buddy made his out of EMT and bought sunbrella fabric from lowes and had his wife sew it. I believe he got a pattern off the internet for both the poles and the fabric. His looks really nice and unless you look close you can't tell it's emt and he has had it on his boat for a few years now.

 

[airshot]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

Why go thru the headache of looking and hunting for materials, watch the sales!! I bought my top from Cabela's, close out, end of year, discontinued models etc. I picked up an 8' long by
74" wide with all hardware and sharkskin fabric for less than 160 including the boot. Other tops in this size were 400. The top looks great and is well made. Shop...shop...shop... deals are out there you have to look for them.
Airshot

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

I actually make a LOT of my dive equipment since I can't find anyone who makes what I need. Sometimes, I modify what others have made to suit my purposes. No one has ever suggested that anything I have done looks homemade! Quite often they want to know where they can buy one. 4 years as an apprentice machinist in UF's department of Chemistry, 2 years supervising a student machine/weld shop for UF's college of Architecture and thirty years of being in the automotive industry, I simply don't make things that look bad. Well, at least I don't show them off! What I do need is INSPIRATION and not a bunch of nay sayers telling me I can't do it. Bond-o, that looks RIGHTEOUS! I may have to think about a semi rigid solution. I really don't like my windshield either (not tall enough) and I am thinking of building an aluminum dive platform as well. I have not bought a welder as I already own too many tools, but YOU have given me some inspiration. I might buy one of the cheap Biminis suggested by ezmobee in the interim, but I am thinking that I really want that welder now! Thanks to both Bond-o and ezmobee for injecting some sanity and fun rather than negativity in this thread.

I can't see where most posters have been negative; they have simply said pvc tubing is a bad idea and told you why. People have given you very good alternative suggestions.

 

[island mike]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

I say spend the money and do it right. You don`t want to be the boat that everyone points to and laughs. I`d rather go without that to half asp it.

Well said.

 

[giericd]

Re: Homemade Bimini??? Has anyone tried to do this?

PVC even sch40 wont work! we put rebar in it to help keep it from swaying all over the place, didn't work, but got a nice rust stain though thank god for ON/OFF! Ended up buying one on e-bay for about $100-$150 shipping included, the company is from canada. I'll be honest it is just as good as the $600 one i was looking at.......that was the best $100 ever spent