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Bimini tops, Sacrilege or Socially accepted?

ontherocks83

ontherocks83

Active member
Does anybody rock a bimini top especially in a non bow rider?

The wife has been complaining that the check is only good for going fast not long family outings especially since there is no where to get out of the sun.

What is the general consensus about putting in a removable bimini top where the only permanent modification would be the mounting hardware? If any one does have them could you post pics please. Do you run with the tops up? do you have full enclosures? Or should I be banished for even suggesting putting such a thing on a pointy go fast boat?;)
 
We will no longer reply to you. Haha. Many of us have Anchor Shades made by Taylor. You throw them up if you are stopped or I've even had mine up if moving at pontoon speed.
 
I have one. I didn't buy a Checkmate for it to just sit on the boat lift on sunny days, and having a shaved head and a family that likes to be out on the water wakeboarding, waterskiing and tubing, the Bimini just makes sense. I've gone 65 MPH with it up and it is mounted with quick releases so it can come completely off in 30 seconds. It can also stay attached but folded up into a boot and lay along the top of the back seat cushions. They don't look too goofy if they are made low profile. Mine was custom made.

BiminiMount.jpg
 
I have one. Wouldn't last a day out here when the temps go above 100.
But we hate riding with it up.
Creates a wind tunnel
 
I have one on my 253. Do I think it looks dorky, Yes. Is it great on a hot sunny day anchored out for hours, Yes. Another option is the anchor shade but they can be a PITA and don't hold up to strong wind very well if you're trying to put up while a storm is coming in. The biggest advantage to Anchor shade is cost and no mounting hardware to add to the boat.
I'm in the middle and Chris is on the end with a Bimini. Will is next to Chris with Anchor Shade.

11350521_10206437426431447_8248735876388710762_n.jpg
 
I am on the fence about them

I use a portable one, Sunshade, here is one on my old velocity
 

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I know you were mainly asking for non BR input, but we use ours all the time when it's hot and sunny. Helps to keep us old folks from getting all burnt and leathery. Jim
 
Regardless of it being a bowrider, in the height of summer I always had mine.
Family wanted shade (young kids, we're all pasty white Europeans:p )

8D4-5B6D5FA7121B-5355-00000A11D339C851_zps4c1bcf81.jpg

I had rear supports to hold it up when not in use (or removed it as it was clamped to the rails, not permanent).
I will be using it on the Convincor also.
 
Nothing wrong with be comfortable. I have a anchor shade but would love something I could cruise with up.
 
Picked it up on ebay. <$150
Atc250r's red Starliner behind has a cutdown version. He trimmed the poles for a lower profile look. I never got round to do it.
 
I remember reading my bimini top can be in the deployed position up to 20mph. It has the nylon straps front and back . I had wondered if I added the metal supports in place of the straps on the back if it would increase the speed I could run with the top up .

*side note *
I've been kicking around the idea of building a convertable hard top . In the stowed position it would look like a sun deck . In the deployed position , it would take full speed .

Steve S
 
I've seen both styles and they all work great. I'm getting an anchor shade . I will only use it when we are boating down south in the extreme Lake Cumberland sunshine . I like how they stow away in the matter of a minute.
 
Thanks for the replies all!

The non BR comment was more for aesthetics then anything. I think bimini's look natural or expected on bow riders as they are better suited to lounging than my boat is. Probably should have just left that part out, but the replies are awesome and I am going to add a low profile bimini to my to-do list.:bigthumb:
 
Problem Child said:
I've seen both styles and they all work great. I'm getting an anchor shade . I will only use it when we are boating down south in the extreme Lake Cumberland sunshine . I like how they stow away in the matter of a minute.
Click to expand...
I had an anchor shade and sent it back. Like someone else said they aren't very good in any type of wind and the pole got in the way.
I had them make loops at the end of the straps for my bimini.
I didn't want any holes or extra brackets on my boat so I just use the pop up cleats for the straps and the bimini goes up in a matter of seconds.
 
Steve S said:
I remember reading my bimini top can be in the deployed position up to 20mph. It has the nylon straps front and back . I had wondered if I added the metal supports in place of the straps on the back if it would increase the speed I could run with the top up .

*side note *
I've been kicking around the idea of building a convertable hard top . In the stowed position it would look like a sun deck . In the deployed position , it would take full speed .

Steve S
Click to expand...
I think you would need stanchions front and rear. There would still be a lot of force on the front even though you supported the back.
My friend bent his front bimini bar with he straps. The top was never set the correct angle anyway.
he went with stanchions front and rear and it's rock solid but a pita with all the bars and holes to line up and then stow away.
 
I was going to say the same thing

Budman said:
I had an anchor shade and sent it back. Like someone else said they aren't very good in any type of wind and the pole got in the way.
I had them make loops at the end of the straps for my bimini.
I didn't want any holes or extra brackets on my boat so I just use the pop up cleats for the straps and the bimini goes up in a matter of seconds.
Click to expand...

They are fragile, my anchor shade version one was junk, I now have version 2 which I guess thats all they sell now, it is better but the pole is a hassle and no way can you drive with it up.
 
I still like the anchor shade as I have no rails anymore and I have a windscreen. I will very rarely use it . As long as I can get to the cooler the pole doesn't bother me. I think the Bimini folded back laying between the seat back and the sun pad would probably annoy me more. The Bimini is cool how you can leave it up at some pretty high speeds.
 
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