How Do I Thru
If you have nylon fittings youll first need to replace them with stainless steel fittings.The next step is to thru-bolt the connection points of the bimini to the boatthe front and rear eye straps, as well as the deck hinge. In order to thru-bolt, youll need a longer bolt that travels completely through the fiberglass and reaches to the underside. For added stability and security, we recommend adding an extra washer and nut.Lastly, check the top for stability, ensuring the front of the top is angled downward. If it isnt, pull the front hold-down straps tight in order to change the angle. As always, check all straps and fittings for tightness before using your bimini top at speeds higher than 35 MPH.*Note: Thru-bolting will allow you to operate your boat at speeds of up to 45 MPH with the top still up. Keep in mind wind speeds and adjust your speed accordingly. Whenever trailering your boat, your bimini top should be laid down flat.
How To Measure Your Bimini Boot
Measuring Notes
A. Measure the width of the legs from the outside of the frame (this should be below the radius where the frame legs straighten out. Please don’t add to width, we will take care of that for you
B. Measure the circumference at center. Pretend your fabric is inside the boot already. This should be a comfortable fit and easy for you to zip.
C. Measure the half section. Lay the tape measure on the outside top of frame and measure from the center down to where the boot will be stopping. This measurement will help make sure your new boot comes down far enough on the side to cover your fabric, but not so far it interferes with the bimini top fittings. This could stop the zipper from closing properly.
D. This is an optional measurement. This narrows the opening where the legs exit the boot. You can make the boot tighter around the legs if you wish.
How To Measure Your Boat For A Shademate Bimini Top
Choosing the dimensions that best accommodate your boat and your requirements is the first step in determining which size Bimini Top is the best choice for you. Consider the coverage area when the top is open and also where it falls when its closed and folded down at the rear of the boat. Ensure that there is enough space in front of and behind the deployed top to mount eye straps to secure the hold-down straps or braces.
For Standard Bimini Tops
Using a tape measure, decide which length top provides the desired amount of shade coverage for your boat. To find the width, determine the pivotal mounting point located on each side of the boat. The pivotal mounting point will be approximately at the center point of the top on each side of the boat. After determining where the pivotal mount location will be on each side, measure the distance between these mounting points to determine the width of the top needed. To find the desired height, measure straight up from the pivotal mounting point while standing inside the boat. This measurement should be the minimum headroom clearance desired. Note that the height of the top is not the distance from the boat floor or the length of the frame arms.
For Pontoon Bimini Tops
What if my boat manufacturer or model isnt listed in the menu?
If your boats manufacturer is not included in our drop down list, you can still search by Bimini type. We offer universal Bimini tops to fit a wide selection of boats.
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Boat Bimini Top Mounting:
Carefully consider the size that you need when selecting your bimini top. The mounting point you choose will impact the size of frame you need, the position of the top, and the shade it will provide.
WIDTH: Determine where you want the mounting points to be because this will set the width of the frame. Keep in mind that this will also determine which part of the boat gets shade. It will also set the position of the top when it is folded up and not in use.
LENGTH: After you have chosen the mounting point and determined the width, then the length of the top will determine which part of the boat receives shade and how much coverage is available.
HEIGHT: Consider the primary use of the bimini to select the proper height of the frame. Do you want to be able to stand under it? Fish under it? Measure upward from the selected mounting point while standing on the deck to get a feel for how much room you will have once the bimini is installed.
Measure The Length Of The Area To Be Covered And Shaded
You have to determine the length of the Bimini top that youre going to get for your boat. To do this, start measuring from the boats front area and down to the boats back area. For boaters, front to back is commonly termed as bow to stern.
In most cases, the minimum length measurement is 5 feet, while the longest runs about 9 feet. The most common measurement, however, is 6 feet.
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Square Tube Bimini Boots
Replacement Bimini Top Storage Boots for Square tube bimini tops will accommodate tops mounting between 96″ and 102″ inches. They are available for 8′, 9′, and 10′ long bimini tops. To measure the length of your bimini top, measure from the first bow to the last bow, while the top is fully deployed. This measurement should be taken over top of the frame.
Replacement boots for 8′ and 9′ bimini tops will accommodate a maximum circumference of 24″. Replacement boots for a 10′ bimini top will accommodate a maximum circumference of 30″. Circumference should be taken in a full circle around the canvas while the top is in the storage position and ready for the boot to be applied. Simply wrap the tape measure around the canvas and frame at its largest point while the top is in the storage position.
Selecting The Right Bimini Top
CoverQuest.com has already applied Bimini’s to many year, make, and models of boats eliminating the need for measuring! Shop bimini tops guaranteed to fit your specific year, make, and model.
For the boats we have yet to recommend a specific size for, or for the customer who wishes to choose their own dimensions – tops are offered in a range of heights, lengths, and widths to offer the best fit for your boat. Shop by your custom dimensions!
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Determine The Height Of The Area That Needs To Be Covered
Your ideal Bimini top overhead position will be determined by measuring the height. The measurement should begin at the mounting locations and continue up to the specified headroom height.
Its important to remember that measurements should begin at the mounting points, not at the floor.
When it comes to the height of Bimini tops, many boaters have varied tastes. If you prefer to operate your boat while standing up, your Bimini top should be set higher than your height.
And if you prefer to sit in the shade while relaxing on your boat, your Bimini top should be fitted low but with sufficient clearance above the head. In addition, the height of your boat may be determined by its design. Determine whether a high or low Bimini top is appropriate for your boat.
So, to answer the question: What Size Bimini Top Do I Need? See the video below for more handy tips:
Will My Bimini Top Lay Down Flat
Standard 2, 3, and 4 bow bimini tops come with mounting brackets that allow the bimini to lay flat when not in use. Optional Brace Kits are specifically designed to hold your bimini top up and out of the way when it’s folded and not in use. As an alternative to braces, Slide Tracks allow a retracted bimini top to easily slide into storage position. Bimini top towers can also be folded down or removed for storage.
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Dual Pontoon Bimini Top
The Dual Pontoon Bimini is designed to provide a full 16-feet of coverage, and it is made to fit pontoon boats 22′ and larger. The rear Bimini is a 4-Bow top with running light cut-out, zippered sleeves, rear brace kit and front hold down straps. The forward Bimini is a 2-Bow top with zippered sleeves and forward brace kit. The front and rear canvases zip at their connection point, providing a full 16-feet of coverage.
Tower Mounting Bimini Tops
The Tower Mounting Bimini Top is designed to eliminate the need to drill into your tower. Universal tower clamps that accommodate a wide range of tower tube diameters from 1-7/8″ up to 2-3/8″ makes installation a breeze. Each tower Bimini comes standard with one set of tower clamps, high-grade black nylon fittings, and front and rear hold down straps. Hold down straps may be replaced with optional braces.
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Identify The Mounting Points
Identifying the mounting points is important as these points will serve as your Bimini tops center. To give you an idea, if the length of your Bimini top is 6 feet, then 3 feet covers the front area, and the other 3 feet covers the back area.
The Bimini tops center or the borderline where the front and back meet must be perfectly aligned with the mounting points.
Can I Replace The Fabric Portion Only On My Bimini Top
Yes, you can replace the fabric portion on your bimini top! To find one that works for your boat, take a look at the Carver Replacement Canvas section in our bimini top accessories.
Carver’s bimini top replacement canvases are made for pontoon bimini tops that measure 48″ or 54″ high and come in lengths of 8′, 9′, or 10′. The canvas is made to fit a bimini top that mounts to the boat somewhere between 91 and 102″. The replacement canvas also comes with zippered sleeves and a cut-out for the running light, allowing you to easily fit it to the frame without having to remove anything.
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Pontoon Bimini Top Replacement Canvas
Bimini Top frames almost always outlast their canvases. Many times boat owners are faced with the choice of buying a complete new top or taking the risk of buying another manufacturer’s canvas in hopes of a good fit. Not anymore! Carver Industries has developed a pattern for a replacement canvas that is guaranteed to fit any manufacturers frame, and it is made right here in the USA! Shop Bimini Replacement Canvases now!
What Size Bimini Top Do I Need
- Post author:Drew S.
Without a Bimini top, you will get hot and blinded by the sun or get drenched by the rain. The problem many boaters have is choosing the right size Bimini top for their boat. In this article, Ill describe how to determine the right size Bimini top for your boat and give tips on choosing a top.
What Bimini top do you need? For most boats, the minimum length measurement is 5 feet, while the longest is about 9 feet. The most common measurement, however, is 6 feet. To determine the exact size Bimini top you need, follow these points:
Our top 7 Bimini tops that are available in various sizes and colors are as follows:
When I was a beginner boater, I thought Bimini tops came in one size only. So, I went online, only to be overwhelmed by the available choices. The colors and designs were easy enough to choose from. What I wasnt prepared for was when determining what size Bimini top I needed.
Over the years, I have tested different Bimini tops and learned how to determine the boats right size top properly. Read on to learn more about determining the right size Bimini top for your boat.
Also, for an excellent Bimini-Tops, take a look at our top pick, the XGEAR 3-4 Bow Bimini Top:
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How To Measure Boat For Bimini Top
To measure your boat for a Bimini Top, you should use the main mounting point as the point of reference. From here you can determine the length, width and height. The width is calculated by measuring from side to side, whereas the length and height will be down to personal preference.
In this image, the red dot is the mounting point. Your Bimini Top can be mounted to a railing, the top of the gunnel or the windshield
How To Choose The Right Bimini Top For Your Boat
Your boat is a huge investment so you want to be sure that its protected. Thats what brought you to this blog. Youre either trying to decide whether you want a Bimini top, or want to know how to choose the right Bimini top for your boat. Whatever the case, you need to make the most informed decision possible.
Most boat owners consider a top to be the most crucial accessory that they can invest in for their boat. In most cases, the goal is to provide protection so that you can spend more time out on the water.
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What Is It Used For
Bimini tops have a number of functions, but the main one is to keep the sun off passengers on the boat. When you hit the water, and the open ocean, one of the most appealing aspects of boating is that you get to experience the thrill of the natural world. You are face to face with the elements, and this can be pretty exhilarating. However, you also need to make sure that you are careful and sensible.
Its great to be able to go out on the water and feel the sun on your back. However, if you are out for a long time, then overexposure to the sun can cause problems. You might burn, become dehydrated, or suffer from sunstroke. So, you need to have protection, and one of the best ways of being able to do this is to install a bimini top on your boat to combat this issue.
Boat Cover Measurements Instructions
If you want to learn how to measure for marine canvas or marine furniture the right way, our website is the place to start.
Measuring for the right size ANP bimini top or pontoon upholstery for your boat is so easy.
ANP makes every part of purchasing marine canvas and marine furniture for your boat as simple as possible, from helping you select the right product for your boat to giving you easy-to-follow measurement and installation instructions.
We want to make sure that all of our customers have the best experience possible when buying and installing their marine canvas or marine furniture.
Simply follow the instructions below and in just a few moments you will have determined the measurements you need to design and order your very own custom-fit bimini top or luxurious pontoon furniture to fit your boat exactly how you envisioned it.
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How To Measure For A Standard Bimini Top
Determine the width of the top by measuring from mounting point to mounting point .
Width selections below are given in 6″ ranges. As long as your width measurement falls in the 6″ range, your width selection will be correct.
Bimini frames can “flex” 3 inches out or in .
Width is the most crucial measurement for finding a bimini top. While it is related to the width of your boat, this measurement is not the same as “beam” or boat width.
Determine the height of the top by measuring from the mounting point straight up with a tape measure.
Choose the ideal height to fit your needs.
A Center Console boat will need a taller bimini top, while a Ski Boat needs a shorter bimini for a sleeker look and ride.
A boat with 30″ side rails and a 48″ tall frame would provide 78″ of clearance.
Determine how much of your boat you want covered by your top by choosing the length. Then select a manufacturer for your new bimini top made to your precise dimensions.
The mounting point is located approximately at the center of the bimini top. A 6 foot bimini covers 3 feet in front and 3 feet behind the mounting point.
If you are measuring your existing bimini, please note that some tops have a flap or overhang. Do not include this in the length measurement. Measure only from bow pocket to bow pocket.
Caring For Your Bimini Top
Protect your investment by following our Bimini Top Care Tips:
- Check all screws and fittings regularly and tighten as needed.
- Make sure hold down straps are tightened.
- When trailering, fold down your top and stow in the Storage Boot.
- We do not recommend exceeding 35 MPH with the top deployed without thru-bolting your top.
- Keep your top looking its best by regularly brushing away any loose dirt or debris with a soft brush, then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Clean your top as necessary using a solution of lukewarm water and a mild soap such as Ivory. Rinse thoroughly and allow to air dry.
- Always allow top to dry thoroughly before folding for storage.
- We highly recommend 303 Fabric & Vinyl Cleaner which is safe and effective. Be aware that repeated cleanings can diminish the water repellency of certain marine canvas. Apply 303 High Tech Fabric Guard to restore water repellency to factory-new levels.
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