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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 6:12 am Post subject: my $40 bimini top... |
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well for the last couple of weeks the average highs have been 102-104 , and with us riding 20-25 hours a week the 50 spf just wasnt cutting it anymore it was miserably hot and we had to do something, we were just getting roasted.
monster tower wanted like $500 for a bimini, that was crazy money and wouldnt really work well on my little boat.
so we set out to make our own.
2x: 10' x 1/2" galvanized conduit $1.97 each
4x: 1/2" 90* elbows $2.50 each
2x: white hobby lobby canvas $6.99 yard
1x: misc gromets and zipties $10?
i got the frame measured, cut, and made. test fited it and then took it and the canvas over to pops' house and had him sew up the canvas and install the groments. then back to my place and installed it.
wow what a difference. its SO much cooler and enjoyable on the boat now. night and day. we tryed it out saterday and sunday and it worked great. really glad we did it. just thought id share.
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bjeremi Soul Rider
Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 433 City: Owasso
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 6:29 am Post subject: |
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Damn good job!
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get_sum Soul Rider
Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 6:45 am Post subject: |
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Idea stolen... I'm gonna do that next week when I'm off. I just need to find a sewing machine. Did he just fold it around to double it up and sew it, then pop the grommets through the double up?
Did they have any other colors? I might cut my stock bimini fabric to make it. How does it hold up in the wind? Have you trailered it or do you just put new zip ties on it each time?
Damn.. I'm in awe... nice job...
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browneye253 Outlaw
Joined: 07 Jul 2008 Posts: 115 City: Tulsa
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 7:06 am Post subject: |
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I agree... that's a slick looking top for only $40 bucks. Great job man.
_________________ My Boat: 2008 Sea Ray 205 Sport w/ Tower
My Ride: 2008 Liquid Force Trip 142 w/ Alpha Bindings
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 7:13 am Post subject: |
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yeah on the leading edge we just folded it over createing a sleeve for the front bar to slide into. on the other three sides we just folded the edge over for thickness and did the gromets.
yes they had other colors.
holds up great in the wind, we left some gap in the fabric on the 3 gromet sides so i could tighten it over time
im sure some would gripe about the zip ties, but i just didnt want to drill that beautiful tower
i tow it at 65 mph with it on. drive is about 25 minute i would guess.
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turbohoje Outlaw
Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 117 City: thornton
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 9:13 am Post subject: |
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great job!
can you stand up in your boat? i installed my tower scrunched a little so that i wouldnt hit my head on the crossbar (not the towing one). i presume that the floor/edges of your boat are setup differently than mine.
would this give enough shade in your opinion?
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 10:20 am Post subject: |
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yeah im 5'-10" and can stand in the driver seat even with the top.
when directly under the top i can stand up by just tilting my head a tad.
it also prevents everyone from banging there heads on the speakers now. haha
cool idea. it had crossed my mind. but with such a small top (the pics are decieving becuase my boat is so tiny) the lower position works MUCH better in giving actual shade. your taller and narrower position looses most of the shade any other time than noon.
to give you an idea the top is actually only 60" x 30". like i said the boat is small, 6' wide
i put alot of thought into it and threw around different ideas before going with this. we love it!
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NKCrider Wakeboarder.com Freak
Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2644 City: NKC
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 11:55 am Post subject: |
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STANG KILLA SS, how much does that sack in the back of your boat sink it down? i have a 1980 SN and was wondering cuz i only have like a 18 inches of freeboard...
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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its two 250 pound sacks. 500 total. i set them right next to the dog house, i never really paid much attention but id say it sinks the swim platform 3" or so?
definatly a noticable difference in the wake for sure.
thats the advantage to a small light boat. smaller weights make a much bigger impact on the wake size.
im getting ready to upgrade to a pair of 440 lb sacks. well see how well it pulls that off.
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get_sum Soul Rider
Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 1:48 pm Post subject: |
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Okay.. I'm making one tomorrow. I'm thinking of a layout like this though...
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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sweet! cant wait to see all the tops ive inspired!
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NKCrider Wakeboarder.com Freak
Joined: 05 Apr 2008 Posts: 2644 City: NKC
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 1:56 pm Post subject: |
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STANG KILLA SS wrote: | sweet! cant wait to see all the tops ive inspired! |
i was thinking of making a similar one on my SN lol
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get_sum Soul Rider
Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 2:37 pm Post subject: |
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STANG KILLA SS, I might try these once I get the top all dialed in and put together. It looks like it bolts to your tower then the bimini is drilled and the wing nut secures it to the clamp. http://www.diywake.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=567
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Okie Boarder Ladies Man
Joined: 03 Mar 2008 Posts: 10056 City: Edmond
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 2:38 pm Post subject: |
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Looks good man! Good job for the price...real nice.
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 4:55 pm Post subject: |
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get_sum: those look nice! would have cost me $80 just for clamps but damn nice!
who knows maybe down the road ill upgrade to those.
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Wakeboarder3780 Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 21 Oct 2003 Posts: 1334 City: Wausau
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Posted: Jun 30, 2009 4:57 pm Post subject: |
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looks good guys, can't beat 40 bucks anyway you cut it. If only my ladies 100 dollar walmart sewing machine didn't break after 30 mins of use...
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bishab Newbie
Joined: 30 Sep 2008 Posts: 38 City: jacksonville
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Posted: Jul 01, 2009 2:00 am Post subject: top |
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Here is the top I had made for my old outback. It was made so I would not have to remove it to tow the boat to and from teh lake and was also on top of the tower for plenty of head room.
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turbohoje Outlaw
Joined: 14 Aug 2008 Posts: 117 City: thornton
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Posted: Jul 01, 2009 1:06 pm Post subject: |
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wow its beautiful
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get_sum Soul Rider
Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond
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Posted: Jul 01, 2009 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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1/3 done with grommets... my little man had to go to sleep, so no more bangging tonight...
first and worst seam..
last and of course best stitches..
The frame.. sanded, cleaned, primered and painted...
When it's done tomorrow, I'll add a finished pic...
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Jul 02, 2009 6:39 am Post subject: |
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sweet! your taking it to the next level with some color. will be nice for sure!
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jixxxer Outlaw
Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Posts: 163 City: Lafayette/Eunice
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texguy2124 Outlaw
Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 132 City: Hamilton
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Posted: Jul 02, 2009 8:23 am Post subject: |
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STANG KILLA SS & GET SUM- Those are really nice looking. Job well done. Heres mine I had the dealer put on before I picked it up. STANG ur right Texas weather is a killer. I couldn't be on the water without mine.
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_bruky Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 1201
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Posted: Jul 02, 2009 11:52 am Post subject: |
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Stang, I actually like yours more than mine with the web of bracing and brackets on the tower. I would like to make one for my older SAN that extends a little farther back than my existing bimini. I was looking into having one custom made in the longer length for my '09, but unlike the '04, the '09 FCT has very limited mounting area to support a longer bimini.
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HHI Dave Wakeboarder.com Freak
Joined: 10 Jun 2006 Posts: 2550 City: Hilton Head Island, SC
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get_sum Soul Rider
Joined: 04 Aug 2008 Posts: 395 City: Edmond
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Posted: Jul 04, 2009 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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yeah.. Just 4 zip ties.. every time you put it in and out. Although, I won't be putting the homemade top each and every time I take mine out.. just on the REALLY hot days that we're out during the midday sun.
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PYTHONLAF Newbie
Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 7
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Posted: Aug 20, 2009 8:54 am Post subject: |
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That looks really cool im thinking of making one today and tomorrow to have ready for the weekend.
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Aug 20, 2009 10:53 am Post subject: |
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HHI, naa boat stores in the backyard so the tower is always up.
im actually starting on version 3 of this bimini lol
V1 (in the pics) after a month or two, the idiot driver(read...me ) wasnt watching the rope and when i went to yank audrey up for her pass, the rope snaged on one of the little setscrews in the corner elbows and yanked it out ripping the canvas to shreds and bending the poles.
V2. replica of V1, 2nd day driving to lake clamp came loose and the wind wiplashed it enough it finally riped the canvas and bent the rear and side pole.
V3. im working on now. similiar frame. probly 6" longer towards the rear this time. and canvas will be permanatly attached to the front bar as it is now. but for traveling to the lake (65mph) it will be bunched and bungeed to the front bar, then once to the lake pulled out and use quick bungee balls to attach side and rear of canvas to bars. that way the wind while driving to the lake isnt making the top like a big wing trying to rip it to shreds. i also noticed without the top up while traveling to the lake i get better gas milage and easier towing. i guess it was more drag than i had guessed.
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PYTHONLAF Newbie
Joined: 17 Aug 2009 Posts: 7
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Posted: Aug 20, 2009 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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STANG KILLA SS wrote: | HHI, naa boat stores in the backyard so the tower is always up.
im actually starting on version 3 of this bimini lol
V1 (in the pics) after a month or two, the idiot driver(read...me ) wasnt watching the rope and when i went to yank audrey up for her pass, the rope snaged on one of the little setscrews in the corner elbows and yanked it out ripping the canvas to shreds and bending the poles.
V2. replica of V1, 2nd day driving to lake clamp came loose and the wind wiplashed it enough it finally riped the canvas and bent the rear and side pole.
V3. im working on now. similiar frame. probly 6" longer towards the rear this time. and canvas will be permanatly attached to the front bar as it is now. but for traveling to the lake (65mph) it will be bunched and bungeed to the front bar, then once to the lake pulled out and use quick bungee balls to attach side and rear of canvas to bars. that way the wind while driving to the lake isnt making the top like a big wing trying to rip it to shreds. i also noticed without the top up while traveling to the lake i get better gas milage and easier towing. i guess it was more drag than i had guessed. | I was thinking of putting 2 pipes in the middle where it will attach to the 2 pipes on the top of my tower but i cant find any T's that will fit the conduit any suggestions?
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LS1_SE7EN Criminal
Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 92 City: Chattanooga
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Posted: Aug 20, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject: |
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Looks good!
Wish I would have seen this before I spent $400 on my bimini. lol.
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Aug 20, 2009 6:15 pm Post subject: |
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you the same guy from RCC?
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tank222 Criminal
Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 65 City: FREDERICK
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Posted: Aug 20, 2009 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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I really hate putting mine up and down its a big pain in the ass, I think it would be cool to make a hard plastic one with like a cotter pin setup so it would be a quick detach.
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LS1_SE7EN Criminal
Joined: 17 Jul 2009 Posts: 92 City: Chattanooga
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Posted: Aug 21, 2009 2:51 am Post subject: |
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STANG KILLA SS wrote: |
you the same guy from RCC? |
Whats RCC? I'm on a few other boards, but don't recall any of them starting with an r. lol
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AbsoluteZero Criminal
Joined: 04 Jul 2009 Posts: 50
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Posted: Sep 21, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject: |
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where's the version 3 pics? I'd like to see the new stuff
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STANG KILLA SS Wakeboarder.Commie
Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 2086 City: Killeen TX
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Posted: Sep 29, 2009 10:19 am Post subject: |
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never finished it. sold the boat.
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smitty1258 Criminal
Joined: 05 Oct 2008 Posts: 91 City: NW Ohio
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Posted: Jun 28, 2010 4:49 am Post subject: |
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bump for anymore homemade pics. Looking into doing something similar.
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JeffreyCH wrote: | It's the fluid dynamics of intercollatical friction that occurs in board sports, you shred a certain object till it produces a magnetic field of anti gravitational forces that blows you into the cosmos as space dust. |
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