My first bimini top and I have a question

[Cat nip]

This is my first bimini top. Its a 4 bow 8x8 and I am wondering if I should eliminate all the side to side movement at the hinge points, still leaving them able to move only in the direction Intended.? Will this make it more sturdy or will it make it more susceptible to breaking?

 

[ahicks]

Side to side usually not an issue in use, once the fabric and straps have some tension on them?

 

[bruceb58]

Hopefully square tubing!

 

[Cat nip]

Yes it is 1 1/4" square tubing and has the support poles front and rear. I guess like to have things stronger that need be.

 

[bruceb58]

The bimini will be stable just because of the square tubing you have. Then you have the 3 attach points. There will be little to no movement.

You using something like this?

 

[Cat nip]

Yes, that is exactly what the bows and support poles are attached to. The mounting brackets for the top of the rails are like those also except they are not cut in half meaning they have a 1 1/4 square hole on the center with the ears on both ends if you can picture that. So I was thinking to switch the mounting tabs so the bow mount and the support mount are one piece instead of 2 and use 2 bolts to the frame instead of just one. In theory that should take out all the wiggle and only lower the top but 1 1/2" does that all make sense? Am I over thinking this lol?

 

[bruceb58]

You are overthinking this. These square tubing biminis are super stiff.

 

[Cat nip]

Ok thanks! I tend to do that..... a lot lol! I will save my energy for other toon projects.

 

[mpilot]

Seen them have some wobble on high speed toons above around 45 mph...whether you should be running with them open at that speed is open to discussion, but they hold up well. A little side to side is okay, but once you put the canvas on as the others stated it should tie the structure together, just make sure to get the canvas taught but not so tight it stretches or puts strain on the attachment points.