Bimini Tops???

[Mac]

Has anyone installed a Bimini Top on their boat? I need something to keep the sun off my body and out of my eyes. Hopefully it would make it cooler and I would have less wind stress at the end of the day. I see that Cabelas has quite a selection in their Marine Speciality catalogue.

[Tom P]

I have one on my Yar- Craft 1785 Wangler. I love it! The bimini manufacture puts a 30-35 max on them. I have the white vinyl thinking it would hold up better to speed. I have it on a slide on the top of the gunnels. They send you only one jam nut for one side of the slide. But I found you need another one on the other side of the bracket tht runs in the slide. Its great not to have the sun on you after a long day.. Make sure you get the longest you can manage on you boat. My friend has a 16 ft. Sylvan Pro Select. He put a 6 ft. on that boat .We tryed that same one on my 17.5 Yar-Craft and it was too small. You think this BIG thing above your head is going to keep most of the sunlight out, it only keeps alot of the sunlight out. Sun angle will supprise you. Now rain is where this top shines AWESOME!! Did I say mine IS NOT connected to my windshield. I have the clips screwed in the front and back gunnels. I go 40 MPH all the time with no problems. Just make sure you angle the top so an plane trimmed up the top is not catching the wind from under, But pushing down just a hair

[wiggle]

Just ordered one yesterday from Cabelas. Why Not? I know it will come in handy when the weather won't cooperate. Would have been handy on Lake of the Woods Labor day weekend 2 years ago. Rained constantly every day...wiggle

[Mac]

Thanks for the reply. The suggestion of getting it as long as possible will be a big help. I'm torn between getting it 35" high and 54" high. The taller will make it easier to get around under the cover and the shorter will offer more protection from the sun, wind, and rain. Any comment on that decision?

[SeaCat]

Had a tall binimi on a previous boat and with the standard straps it moved around quite a bit -- especially under power. Installed a pair of support poles on the front and the back to replace the straps and it was 100% better.

The support poles telescoped to adust to the correct tension and allowed the binimi to be layed down for travel.

I checked a couple of catalogs and the only one I could find it in was the West Marine catalog. I think I got them at Boat US or Boaters World.

Ryan

[Mac]

Is there a web site that I can order that catalogue or those parts from?

[bigbird]

I have one on a 1900 prov. The boss loves it, she fishes with me more, that gives me more time on the water. On long hot days in the sun it's great. I have a six footer with 54 inch poles, I still use the straps so I can pitch it forward or back as needed. You can buy a boot for it for storage, I remove the top any time I don't need it and store it in the back of the truck.
Tight Lines BB

[SeaCat]

West Marine's site is http://www.westmarine.com

I did a search on "bimini pole" and there are two different ones listed.

Here is a link to the one I have used:

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=201&prrfnbr=6353&outlet=

Ryan