Bimini top

[Stocksail]

not really a rebuild question but seeing how this is a good collection of 175 owners i thought i'd ask.

i have a 1994 175 Osprey and am in the market for a bimini, the boat came without one but it does have the attachement rails. where do you guys get your tops from and are you happy with them?

a google search brings up stuff like this:

http://biminitops.iboats.com/Aquasport/ ... (1993-2007)_ENDURATop-5475/251266/?cart_id=212653757

http://www.boatcoversdirect.com/product ... ASSIC_657/

http://www.amazon.com/COMPLETE-BIMINI-T ... B00O73O2DC

i'd like sunbrella or other quality fabric and the price seems good on these... am i missing anything, are they cheap quality or am i safe ordering one of these?

i'll take your recomendations.

thanks,
Greg.

[wingtime]

Try to find a local canvas shop that can custom make you one.

[RickK]

What he said ^^
I added an extra rod on each side so I can secure it straight up to get it out of the way, otherwise I was stepping over it in the fore or aft storage position.  Works for me anyway.


When I deploy the bimini the rods secure to the upper portion of the frame.

[Capt. Bob]

I bought mine here.

http://www.carvercovers.com/bimini-tops

Frame is lighter gauge aluminum and material is lower weight but then the price was about 1/3 of the original custom I had made for my CCP. I'm still using that top (frame is fine) 18 years later. Still......

The Carver top was made to my measurements and I didn't opt for any upgrade so I got what I paid for which IMHO isn't that bad.
You will need to assemble and install yourself but it isn't a hard project. Mine came with a cover which is a nice item if you trailer with the top leaning back. I've had it about 2+ years now and it does what I wanted it to do.

Up.


Old and new.


Trailer (roped over cover is a belt with suspender mentality)


Good luck.

[Stocksail]

thanks for the input guys, Rick I like that idea of the rod holding it straight up.

the guy i'm getting some more cushions from said he orders them from a company that he likes well enough to install them and put his name on them so i'll give that a shot and report back. will ask about the vertical rods!

[RickK]

The rod came from the old bimini over the helm on my 230.  I would measure from the track to a point in the center of the console at a 45 degree angle.  I can measure mine if you want.

[tyson87]

What he said ^^
I added an extra rod on each side so I can secure it straight up to get it out of the way, otherwise I was stepping over it in the fore or aft storage position.  Works for me anyway.


When I deploy the bimini the rods secure to the upper portion of the frame.

Who made it and how much did you pay?

[RickK]

The bimini was made locally and the extra rods came off an old bimini.

[tyson87]

The bimini was made locally and the extra rods came off an old bimini.

I see that in your original post. I want to know who made it locally (looking to have one made)

Your top looks great compared to the others I see out there.

And what did it run you to have it made (approximate is fine)

[CLM65]

If you are talking about the two rods that hold the bimini upright, I made something similar for my old 200 Osprey.  West Marine sells the tubing and fittings, you just cut the tubing to whatever length you want.  I don't recall what it cost (that was about 18 years ago), but I don't think it was expensive at all.

[RickK]

The bimini was made locally and the extra rods came off an old bimini.

I see that in your original post. I want to know who made it locally (looking to have one made)

Your top looks great compared to the others I see out there.

And what did it run you to have it made (approximate is fine)

There was a little shop here by the Wellcraft goliath manufacturing site, and that little shop probably supplied some of the boat builders around area - this was quite a few years ago - maybe 10?
Unfortunately when Wellcraft shuttered the place it took out all the cottage industries supporting it, that one included.  It was a standard size that they had in stock, so I walked in with my beam measurements and how tall I wanted it and walked out with it.
I think I paid $180 for the top.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

[tyson87]

The bimini was made locally and the extra rods came off an old bimini.

I see that in your original post. I want to know who made it locally (looking to have one made)

Your top looks great compared to the others I see out there.

And what did it run you to have it made (approximate is fine)

There was a little shop here by the Wellcraft goliath manufacturing site, and that little shop probably supplied some of the boat builders around area - this was quite a few years ago - maybe 10?
Unfortunately when Wellcraft shuttered the place it took out all the cottage industries supporting it, that one included.  It was a standard size that they had in stock, so I walked in with my beam measurements and how tall I wanted it and walked out with it.
I think I paid $180 for the top.
Sorry I can't be of more help.

Thanks. I appreciate it.