New Bimini

[rlb9844]

I just put a new bimini top on my 17ft Glastron skiboat. I've never had any kind of top before so I have a few questions. First, how tight do the straps need to be? I would think if the top is taught, thats good enough, but not sure. Also I remember seeing on here somewhere to twist the straps to keep them from vibrating in the wind. Do I twist it completely up or is just three or four twist enough? Thanks in advance.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: New Bimini

I nomally put 3 twists in the straps. They have never made a noise in the wind. I tighten the straps down so they are taught.

It looks like you have done your homework. You will be fine.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Bimini

Hey neighbor!!!

You've got it right. "Till the top is taught" is exactly what you want. Don't overtighten. You'll stress the frame and materials. You might even bend the frame. Too loose, and that will cause flapping in the wind, thus noise, and eventually damage.

What waters do you boat?

 

[rlb9844]

Re: New Bimini

Thanks guys. My normal spot is Reed Bingham State Park in Cook/Colquitt Counties. How about you Veritas? I'm wanting to take my kids down to the flats to go scalloping this year. Never had my boat in any big water. We'll see how it goes. Thanks Again.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: New Bimini

Thanks guys. My normal spot is Reed Bingham State Park in Cook/Colquitt Counties. How about you Veritas? I'm wanting to take my kids down to the flats to go scalloping this year. Never had my boat in any big water. We'll see how it goes. Thanks Again.

My normal spot is Lake Seminole. I'm going to do the scalloping thing for the first time this year... MMMmmmmmm!!! Check out the St Augustine thread in Boating activities. I'll be there on June 18th. My boat has never tasted salt water... Yet. I'm planning on several trips from Lake Seminole, through the locks to the ACF River System, down to the Gulf. It's a 1 day trip to Appalachacola Bay. From there, ICW, and various points in Florida. It can be done from Albany, or anywhere there's a boat ramp in our area. We can talk more about scalloping any time you want. I don't have a plan yet. I believe the season opens 4th of July Weekend.

 

[floatfan]

Re: New Bimini

Where'd you end up getting the top? All I've priced are in the $300 range...except for WalMart. The reviews for the one they sell are actually pretty decent, but I'm still a bit afraid of one at half the price of all the others I've found. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gulf-Stream-Bimini-Top-4-Bow-78-88-Widths/12517018

Glad to see some south GA guys on here. I'm new to iboats (actually, I was on a few years ago, but forgot my login info...so here I am again). My family has a place down at Seminole, but I also spend a lot of time on Blackshear and the Ocmulgee River. I've never been to Reed Bingham. What are the facilities like? Do you tube/ski there....or is it like Seminole in the sense that you enter the water at your own risk due to the gators?

 

[rlb9844]

Re: New Bimini

Yeah, they have some pretty big gators in there but they tend to stay up river a bit. I got my bimini from iBoats. The cheapest one was $135 but I got the $185 one. The fabric is better and has a better warrenty. My boat is only 17ft with a 70in beam though so I can only assume the bigger your boat the more the top will cost. As far as Reed Bingham, the camping is pretty nice with some good nature trails. The only real drawback is the lake is only about 350 acres and gets really shallow in places. But its the closest lake (5 miles down the road) big enough to tube in. I'd like to get up to Blacksheer sometime but not happening anytime soon.