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Bimini Tops

Whitebear

Whitebear

Silent Prop
R. I. P.
I see a lot of the bigger boats with them, just wondering if anybody with a 12' boat has them? Are there problems with smaller boats putting them up while running, is it a sittin still only option for them?

Scotty
 
Scotty, they're a very nice option that will work on any size boat but they're really only useful when you're sitting on the hill. They won't hold up long when you're runnin.

Nothing better on a hot day when you're stopped though 8) .
 
Maybe a beech umbrella from Wally World is a better option then if its just for sittin still. Cheep n easy.

I had seen some pictures in the gallery of folks underway with them, was wondering if it was dangerous or changed the handeling significantly, specifically for a smaller boat.

Scotty
 
Hey Whitebear I have an 18 foot and just added a 10 1/2 bimini. It truly is amazing and you don't know how much you appreciate it until you have one. Kind of like driving a car w/o power steering and then getting power steering. I met Paul from A&B custom canvas in Orlando. Built an awesome top. He is airboater friendly. Easy on/off works running perfect. He could be a top for any size boat.
 
Badbilly, that sounds very cool (no pun intended). Looks like I was wrong about not being able to run with one up.

Any chance of seein a picture of yours?
 
Bimini tops work very well even while running. Several members of CCAA and Orange County Airboat Club (I do miss that club) have them. Bill Johns has had one on his 12 footer for some time now and every summer my wife sees it and tells me she wants one for our boat. I also know Paul Dixon in Bainbridge, Ga. has put some on. The only time to beware is running tree lined trails.

BadBilly, could you post ph# and address for A&B please? Also any other shops that anyone knows of. This is good info to share.

Bob
 
What are the prices that everyone is seeing for tops? I've seen 850.00 at GTO with a heavy stainless frame, Floral City was at $650.00 aluminum frame. the local canvas guy was at $600.00 with a aluminum frame.
 
be careful with the aluminum frame ones. I have heard they dont hold up well while running. I am looking at stainless for the strength.
 
I added a top and found that while it would hold up while running it also wanted to keep in more prop noise making it not worth the trouble.
 
I have an aluminum rigged top which I love. I don't do much summer running so it does not have a lot of run time on it. I will suggest you design your top to fold back and forth for more reasons than not. I went with a camo cordura material that seems to hold up well. If running in any head wind it definitely slows you down.
 
I uploaded the photo to my gallery. I have no idea how to put it in this posting. I am lucky I can get my computer to log on. Just fyi the main posts of the bimini are attached to the hand rails on the middle seat. This allows walking from front to back. It only folds back. The height was the problem. If he made it so I could stand up and not hit my head, then there would have been no shade on the top seat. two stanchion bars to the cage and two straps to the front. it is 10 1/2 foot long. Hope this info is useful.

BadBilly_Airboat1.JPG

edit: there you go, jim
 
Man, that looks good Billy ...... it's up high enough that it doesn't steal any air from the prop either.

Nice setup 8) .
 
Just a note,

I needed several boat covers and an upholstery job done, so I bought a walking foot sewing machine. It has paid for itself several times. Canvas and upholstery work is mostly labor.

jim
 
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