Is a bimini top worth it??

[zach103]

ive been looking at them for a while and see them on a number of boawts.. but their kind of expensive(for me).. well i just want to see what everyone here thinks of them..

the pros and cons and what not.. and if its worht the money?

thanks guys

 

[oops!]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

if you like shade it is

 

[bekosh]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Abso-fragin-lutely! Nothing can ruin the fun faster than a nasty sunburn.

We actually went one step further and got a full enclosure. We get the shade from the Bimini during the day and a night we can sit in the cockpit with the screens in and enjoy the breeze without getting eaten alive by bugs.

 

[jeffb928]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Hello, Yes they are very well worth the money you pay,got a new boat last summer and tried to hold off on a top but it was just too hot come august so i ordered one from BassPro shops, I used Iboats boat top fitting section on this site and it was the prefect fit! I would suggest anyone thinking of getting a bimini top to use this site to help you in choosing the correct size to order! The top was also good on a rain day! can't wait to get out there on the lake again!

 

[chicknwing]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Abso-fragin-lutely! Nothing can ruin the fun faster than a nasty sunburn.

I agree with bekosh completely. Sunburn ruins the entire weekend. A great investment IMO.

TC

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Abso-fragin-lutely!

Ayuh,........

I sit on top of an Asphalt Paver 5 days aweek,....... In the Sun is Not where I spend My Weekends.......

I went even Crazier,+ Built this 1 day,..............

As a Side Benefit,....... It extended My boating season into December.................

 

[dgopetactical]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

I bought a new 8 footer off of ebay new for under 150 and I have no complaints. Overtons sells this portable umbrella looking thing for under 100. You gotta have the ability to have shade no matter the $$$$ look aroung you will find something in your budget.
Denny

 

[ziggy]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

any kinda extra protection from the elements on the water is a plus. the only downside is where yer gonna store it..... if ya can work it so it's easy to store, and easy to deploy, ya'll be a much happier camper with any top i'd think.......

 

[tomh59]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Buy it NOW!

 

[JAL51974]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Absolutely, bought one here on Iboats last summer after spending the previous 2 summers without one. Its one of the best after market items we have bought. You'll be surprised how much shade it provides if you do it right.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Not only do they come in handy on sunny days, but also when a storm pops up it offers some cover n protection. I have one on my bridge and one on the back deck. Big initial cost, but is well worth it IMO ..............SS

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Cons
High cost, subject to affordability
Gets mildue and needs cleaned
Need to raise and lower it each time out
When fishing, need to cast around it
Decreases gas mileage
Wears out, in time, unless made of aluminum

Pros
Provides relief from the hot sun
Lessens chance of sunburn
Lessens risk of skin cancer

 

[cbavier]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Absolutely. I wouldn't be without one. Keeps the Dew off the seats and the Sun damaging rays off the Upholstery. It makes boat bearable/ cooler to ride in when the Sun is at it's hottest. Mine stays up at all times unless it's going to rain or we go away. Then I put the Bow and Cockpit covers on. That Keeps the water out for most part. My boat is in the water three weeks out of the month from may to October.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Mine stays up at all times

yep, me too......

my three usuall configureations......

 

[roadrunnr]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Ziggy, great looking boat!!!!

 

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

ziggy is that on sliders?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

thanks for the compliment rr, i'll use any excuse to post up pics of Lime Time. bekosh and bondo were settin the pressident,
yep, it's on sliders. can be removed too, but i've never done it as i like the top to much.
if ya go for the top zach, sliders is the ticket. while i've never had a bimini top. i've seen others put them up. if the top ain't already connected to the boat, they seem to be a pain to put up. my last boat had a regular canvas top. it was on sliders too. in storage it slid to the back of the boat behind the rear seats, out of the way, to deploy was as easy as undoing a hold down bungee, slide it fwd, unroll it and snap it on.... about a 3 min. one man proceedure. with a top that is not already connected to the boat, it's a 2 man project to get them up it seems......

 

[bekosh]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

Cons
High cost, subject to affordability
Gets mildue and needs cleaned
Need to raise and lower it each time out
When fishing, need to cast around it
Decreases gas mileage
Wears out, in time, unless made of aluminum

Pros
Provides relief from the hot sun
Lessens chance of sunburn
Lessens risk of skin cancer

On the cons,
High cost-Depends. What's expensive to you? Our full enclosure was $1100 custom made. You could buy and install a basic bimini yourself for a couple hundred.
Mildew/cleaning-Everything on a boat requires maintenance, canvas is no different.
Raise/lower-Get the fixed supports and leave it up like an arch.
Fishing-I don't fish so I can't say how in the way it would be.
Mileage-We ran for 2 months before we bought the canvas and saw no difference in mileage or top speed with or without. Note-Top speed was with the top folded up in it's cover. See pic. With the top deployed, we limit our speed to around 35mph.
Wears out-Again, no difference from anything else on a boat, eventually you will have to repair/replace it.

Ziggy, that is a beautiful classic boat.

 

[zach103]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

well ive been looking on ebay to see what i can find and i think i can get it fairly cheap onthere

 

[stevewolverton]

Re: Is a bimini top worth it??

well ive been looking on ebay to see what i can find and i think i can get it fairly cheap onthere

If you like building stuff - you could always build your own. I built a simple one for my boat for less than $20.

1/2" galvanized EMT conduit
3/4" plastic bimini fittings
1 yard duck canvas
camping straps

It took me 1/2 day to build it because I'm kind of dumb and it took me awhile to get the hang of the conduit bender.

The bimini supports on the rear of the bimini are also made out of EMT so I can fold the bimini back while trailering and it holds it off the deck.

Steve