Small bimini, grab rail mounted to center console; anyone do this?

[ajgraz]

Thinking about adding some shade to my 17' center console, mostly to appease family members who are more into hanging out on the boat than in fishing.

A huge, gunwale-mounted bimini is just going to be too big and unwieldy for this boat, I think...especially given the headroom I'd want.
And for a number of reasons I am not looking to install a t-top (including that this boat is just too small for one IMO).

So I got to thinking about a smaller, "dodger" like bimini, kind of like what I see on sailboats and cabin cruisers. Rail-mounted to the wrap-around grab rail on the center console. But, because I've never even seen a center console with a top like what I'm thinking of, I couldn't find any photos; I had to make this "artists' rendition" from a photo I grabbed off the internet of the same hull I have:



So, anyone doing anything like that? Is this realy going to provide enough shade for the cockpit and cooler front seat? Is this just a bad idea?

Maybe I should just bimini the front deck for the "loungers," while I fish off the rear deck?

 

[JoLin]

I don't see how a top that small will benefit anyone.

My .02

 

[dingbat]

There are a number of companies making kit form T-tops at reasonable prices.

The Atlantic Towers kit is a popular conversion around here. A lot more practical than trying to rig a Bimini for the purpose

 

[ajgraz]

After taking copious measurements last night--and stealing an idea from a thread on another forum--I think I figured out a way to put a full-sized bimini on this boat that is functional, will make everyone happy, and will not break the bank. Just have to lengthen the main tubes and install it "backwards":



The only downsides I see to this are that when in the "Trailering/Storage" position:
1) I can't open my forward anchor locker...but all I have to do is deploy the top into "Underway" position
2) The tubing covers the gas fill on the port gunwale...but if I mount with quick-release pins, I can just temporarily undo the port side main deck mount and move the tubing out of the way while gassing up.